JMU School of Music

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

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!

Let's give a big J-M-U welcome to Ireland South! Ireland is graduating from Clear Spring High School in Clear Spring, MD...
05/20/2026

Let's give a big J-M-U welcome to Ireland South! Ireland is graduating from Clear Spring High School in Clear Spring, MD, and will be part of the trumpet studio! Here is what Ireland had to say:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"The experience and campus."

What made you choose JMU?
"The music program! I loved the atmosphere and the people and staff are great."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I lived in Washington state!"

We're looking forward to seeing you in August, Ireland!

As we mentioned last week, we have two faculty members that will be finishing long careers at JMU this year. Dr. Wanchi ...
05/19/2026

As we mentioned last week, we have two faculty members that will be finishing long careers at JMU this year. Dr. Wanchi Huang (violin) was featured last week and now we will celebrate Dr. Eric Ruple (piano):

"It has been the honor of my lifetime to spend my teaching career at JMU. When I arrived in 1987, I was thrilled to be offered a one-year contract, not knowing much about this 'tiny' school in Virginia, a state where I had only driven through once. Little did I know that it would grow to be the place where I could not only grow personally as a musician and teacher but also meet the most wonderful colleagues and students.

JMU’s music faculty is loaded with elite musicians and scholars. It has always been a joy to have the opportunity to perform with them. And the students whom I have been lucky enough to have had in my studio have taught me so much. Many have become lifelong friends, and I will always look forward to seeing all of you as you get the chance to come back to JMU from time to time. Please stay in touch, and let’s enjoy Homecoming this fall and in the future together as fellow 'alums'."

Congrats, Dr. Ruple! 🎉

Let's start off this week by welcoming Jakob Fox! Jakob will be entering the Horn studio and will be studying music educ...
05/18/2026

Let's start off this week by welcoming Jakob Fox! Jakob will be entering the Horn studio and will be studying music education. He is graduating from Blacksburg High School. Here's what Jakob had to say:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"I am extremely excited to perform in all of the amazing ensembles at JMU with so many like-minded musicians!"

What made you choose JMU?
"The amazing faculty, and incredibly welcoming and friendly environment."

Share something interesting about yourself!
"In my free time, I love to play basketball with friends!"

We're looking forward to having you here, Jakob!

Let's welcome Erika Rounds to the JMU School of Music! Erika is a mezzo soprano/alto from St. Paul VI Catholic High Scho...
05/15/2026

Let's welcome Erika Rounds to the JMU School of Music! Erika is a mezzo soprano/alto from St. Paul VI Catholic High School, and she will be studying music studies for the Bachelor of Arts degree! We asked Erika some questions:

What are you most looking forward to at JMU?
"Joining the collegiate choirs, learning new pieces, and meeting new friends!"

What made you choose JMU?
"I chose JMU not only for their strong choral groups, but also for the wonderful community, and the kind students I have met so far!"

Share something interesting about yourself!
"I am from Northern VA, I have been singing since 5th grade, I have two younger brothers, and I am the first in my family to participate in Collegiate Choir!"

We're so excited for you to have these experiences here, Erika! We'll see you in August!

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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