JMU School of Music

JMU School of Music This is the official page for the James Madison University School of Music.

Let's welcome to weekend by welcoming Greg Kulp to JMU! Greg will be entering the saxophone studio and studying Jazz Stu...
06/05/2026

Let's welcome to weekend by welcoming Greg Kulp to JMU! Greg will be entering the saxophone studio and studying Jazz Studies. Greg is also a local, coming to us from Turner Ashby High School!

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"Being in a community/environment that pushes me to become a better musician."

What made you choose JMU?
"I chose JMU because I grew up in the area, and I think it is beautiful and full of awesome people. The School of Music has an excellent reputation and everyone in it I've met has been lovely."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"Something interesting about myself is that I like doing stuff outside!"

We're excited to see you on campus, Greg!

Welcome to JMU, Ariana Skye Palmer! Ariana is a violinist coming to us from Osbourn Park High School, and she will be st...
06/03/2026

Welcome to JMU, Ariana Skye Palmer! Ariana is a violinist coming to us from Osbourn Park High School, and she will be studying music education. Here's how Ariana answered our questions:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"I'm most looking forward to participating in different music ensembles and meeting new people. The food is another thing to be excited about I guess."

What made you choose JMU?
"The amazing music and chemistry programs really put JMU over the edge for me. I also really enjoyed how open and inviting all the students and professors were to me, even when I was a prospective student!"

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I play multiple other instruments, with my secondary one being percussion starting on mallets my junior year!"

Have a great summer, Ariana, and we'll see you in the fall!

The JMU School of Music, Forbes Center and Dr. Diane Phoenix-Neal proudly host the American Viola Society Festival, June...
06/01/2026

The JMU School of Music, Forbes Center and Dr. Diane Phoenix-Neal proudly host the American Viola Society Festival, June 3-6! Celebrate and experience all things viola! Events include: Solo Competition Finals, an Exhibition of Modern Violas and Bows, Evening Concerts, Daily Recitals, Lectures and Workshops for all levels of violists!

Check out the full schedule of events:
https://www.americanviolasociety.org/2026-avs-festival-agenda-schedule/

Happy June! Let's start of this week by introducting Ray Bowman! Ray is a percussionist from James River High School who...
06/01/2026

Happy June! Let's start of this week by introducting Ray Bowman! Ray is a percussionist from James River High School who will be studying music education. Here's what Ray had to say:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"Being able to join more types of ensembles."

What made you choose JMU?
"I chose JMU because of the School of Music and the campus in general."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I love going to the gym and thrifting."

We're excited to see you in the fall, Ray!

We'll finish off this week and the month of May with welcoming Liz Dixon! Liz is a soprano/mezzo graduating from Douglas...
05/29/2026

We'll finish off this week and the month of May with welcoming Liz Dixon! Liz is a soprano/mezzo graduating from Douglas Freeman High School and will be studying vocal music education. Here's what Liz had to say:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"Making so many friends and singing great music."

What made you choose JMU?
"The people and all the staff."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I'm a twin and she is also going to JMU! I love the color pink!"

We're excited to meet you, Liz!

Welcome to Andrew Grogran! Andrew is graduating from Thomas Dale High School and will be studying Jazz Studies from the ...
05/27/2026

Welcome to Andrew Grogran! Andrew is graduating from Thomas Dale High School and will be studying Jazz Studies from the Double Bass studio. Here what we asked Andrew:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"I am most looking forward to discovering new ideas with students and faculty in the department."

What made you choose JMU?
"The beautiful campus and talented students and faculty."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I made All-Virginia Jazz Ensemble and Orchestra my senior year."

Have a great summer, Andrew, and we'll see you in the fall!

Attention all high school musicians! We will be hosting the JMU Jazz High School Combo Workshop on Saturday, August 29, ...
05/26/2026

Attention all high school musicians! We will be hosting the JMU Jazz High School Combo Workshop on Saturday, August 29, 2026, 9:30am-4:00pm.

The workshop is for any high school student interested in developing and improving improvisational skills. Combos will be formed to accommodate all experience levels, from beginning to advanced improvisers. During the workshop, you will:
- meet, rehearse with, and perform with JMU Jazz Studies faculty, JMU Jazz Studies students, and motivated high school jazz musicians from throughout the region.
- attend a performance by JMU Jazz Studies Faculty.
- participate in masterclasses by, and receive combo coaching from, the JMU Jazz Studies Faculty.
- perform in the state-of-the-art JMU Forbes Center for the Performing Arts Recital Hall.

Best of all, this workshop is FREE OF CHARGE. Registration is open until 11:59PM on Tuesday, August 25, 2026. For more information and to register, visit bit.ly/jazzcomboworkshop.

Let's start off this week by welcoming Josie Austin! Josie is a clarinetist from Sherando High School, and she will be s...
05/25/2026

Let's start off this week by welcoming Josie Austin! Josie is a clarinetist from Sherando High School, and she will be studying music studies for the Bachelor of Arts degree! Here's what Josie had to tell us:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"Joining the MRD colorguard!"

What made you choose JMU?
"The campus is extremely beautiful, and the music program is one of the best in VA."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I'm marching with the Madison Scouts this summer!"

We're so looking forward to having you on campus in August, Josie! Have a great summer!

Welcome to the JMU School of Music, Josue Velazquez Disla! Josue is a baritone who will be studying vocal music educatio...
05/22/2026

Welcome to the JMU School of Music, Josue Velazquez Disla! Josue is a baritone who will be studying vocal music education. They will be graduating from Prince George High School. Here is what he had to say:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"I'm looking forward to the beautiful campus and connecting with fellow musicians!"

What made you choose JMU?
"I love how strong the music program is and how passionate the students are. I wanted to be a part of it!"

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I love D&D! I've bonded with a lot of my friends over it and even founded my own D&D club in high school!"

We look forward to meeting you, Josue!

Here's a post from Professor Masa Ishikawa about a fun end-of-semester experience:"This semester I had an honor to teach...
05/21/2026

Here's a post from Professor Masa Ishikawa about a fun end-of-semester experience:

"This semester I had an honor to teach a seminar class about the music and the life of Stevie Wonder. It was a joy to take a closer look on Wonder's albums/specific composition in class, starting from the beginning of his musical career in the early 60's.

Besides learning his musical legacy and influences, we also discussed that the songs he wrote back in the 60's/70's about various societal issues are unfortunately still current. My words can’t express my respect to Stevie for all his music and the important messages he continues sending to us.

As a conclusion of the class, we had a final concert on 5/13 (Stevie's 76th birthday) at Good Day Café in Elkton, showcasing various Wonder compositions. The performance was also tied to a fundraising for Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. Everyone performed so beautifully. I can't thank enough for such invaluable experiences I got to have this time."

What a great experience for all involved!

Address

880 South Main Street MSC 7301
Harrisonburg, VA
22807

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 4pm
Tuesday 9am - 4pm
Wednesday 9am - 4pm
Thursday 9am - 4pm
Friday 9am - 12pm

Telephone

+15405686714

Website

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