James Madison University College of Visual and Performing Arts
The College of Visual and Performing Arts is an academic college of James Madison University in Harrisonburg, Virginia, USA. The colleges include three schools: the School of Art and Art History, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre and Dance. The College also includes the Madison Art Collection and the Institute for Visual Studies. The College's majors were originally part of the College of Arts and Letters. On June 24, 2005, the Board of Visitors approved the Madison College Proposal, which created the College of Visual and Performing Arts out of the College of Arts and Letters.
The school offers a Bachelor's of Arts degree with three undergraduate majors: Theatre, Dance, and Musical Theatre. Minors are offered in Theatre and Dance. The School of Theatre and Dance is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools of Theatre and the National Association of Schools of Dance.
School of Music
The School of Music offers a Bachelor's of Music degree with concentrations in Composition, Performance, Education, Music Theater, Jazz and Music Industry. The School of Music is an accredited member of the National Association of Schools Music. Currently, the University is home to over 30 ensembles, including The Wind Symphony, The University Symphony Orchestra, The Madison Singers, The University Chorus, The JMU Brass Band, The Pep Band, and The Marching Royal Dukes. The marching band with almost 500 members was the recipient of the Sudler Trophy, the highest honor available for a college marching band. In 2005, the School of Music received a gift from Dr. Elizabeth Swallow to designate the School and All-Steinway School. Steinway Pianos.
Marching Royal Dukes
The Marching Royal Dukes are the school's official marching band. Formed in 1972, the "MRDs" perform at halftime and post-game at all home football games, and travel with the team occasionally to perform at away and post-season games. In 1994, the MRDs were the recipients of the Sudler Trophy, the highest honor available for a college marching band, and was the second ensemble from a school with a I-AA football team to do so, after Florida A&M University
JMU Brass Band
The JMU Brass Band is one of only a few collegiate brass bands in the United States. Formed in the Fall of 2000, the band has twice been named the North American Brass Band Association Honors Section Champion, and is currently the 2007 NABBA Champion Section Runner-up. The group maintains an active performance schedule throughout the academic year, performing regularly both on and off campus. Most recently, the band was a featured ensemble at the 2004 Virginia Music Educators Conference in Norfolk, Virginia and the 2006 Great American Brass Band Festival in Danville, Kentucky. The ensemble has been host to a number of guest artists including euphonium virtuoso Steven Mead, YBS Band solo horn Sheona White, baritone soloist Katrina Marzella and trumpet soloists Vince DiMartino and Allen Vizzutti. The band has also worked with prominent brass band conductors Stephen Bulla, Philip Sparke, James Curnow and Douglas Yeo.
Facilities
Forbes Center
In September 2010, the College opened the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts, a complex composed of two connected buildings: the Estes Center for Theatre and Dance and the Roberts Center for Music Performance. The $82 million facility was funded by a Virginia higher-education bond package.
