Programs / Military

Music For
The Military

Healing Through Music for Veterans & Servicemembers

MBAW provides tailored music programs aimed at boosting morale, emotional well-being and a sense of community among serving military personnel, veterans and their families in San Antonio, Texas.

About the Program

About the Program

The program was started in April 2024 as a one-year pilot initiative at the request of the Soldier Recovery Unit (SRU) at Brooke Army Medical Center at Fort Sam Houston so that recovering soldiers could take part in worthwhile music and arts activities. After the pilot had been a success, the program was extended to cover the USO at Fort Sam Houston as well as the “Headway” program.

MBAW Military Program

What We Offer

What MBAW Brings

Live Performances

Featuring Grammy Award-winning artists, these live performances during special events are designed to lift morale, foster community, emotional healing and cultural appreciation.

Guitar Classes & Drum Circles

Interactive session with artists and instructions are proven to help alleviate symptoms of PTSD, promote mental health, and encourage teamwork & creativity. These sessions are currently provided twice a month.

Outcomes

Outcomes

Regular participation in live performances leads to reduced stress, improved mood and morale, and increased emotional resilience. For soldiers in recovery, music offers a valuable therapeutic outlet, helping them experience joy and providing emotional relief from the trauma of their experiences.

This program’s survey results show that:

%

Participants felt a greater sense of belonging

%

Said music improved their overall mood

%

Reported increased emotional well-being

It’s such a refreshing change of pace to experience live music in person. I love Spanish guitar, Flamenco music, and Mariachi so this was a joy.
Anonymous Service Member

Music and the arts give us a way to understand the complexities of our experiences and emotions. For soldiers, this can be a profound path to healing.
General Jim Mattis (Ret.), 26th U.S. Secretary of Defense

Program Sponsors & Partners

Reach Resilience
Bexar County
Reach Resilience

Operational Sponsors

City of San Antonio Arts & Culture Texas
Kronkosky Charitable Foundation
San Antonio Area Foundation
Music Foundation of San Antonio
The Brown Foundation
Rea Charitable Trust
The Tobin Endowment
Texas Commission on the Arts
H. E. Butt Foundation
Bank of America
CB & Anita Branch Charitable Trust
Nancy Smith Hurd Foundation
Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation
City of San Antonio Arts & Culture Texas
Kronkosky Charitable Foundation
San Antonio Area Foundation
Music Foundation of San Antonio
The Brown Foundation
Rea Charitable Trust
The Tobin Endowment
Texas Commission on the Arts
H. E. Butt Foundation
Bank of America
CB & Anita Branch Charitable Trust
Nancy Smith Hurd Foundation
Betty Stieren Kelso Foundation