The JMU Brass Band is one of the most successful collegiate brass bands in the world. Formed by Professor Kevin Stees in the fall of 2000, the band quickly rose to prominence, winning the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) 1st Section Championship in 2004 and 2005. They were also the NABBA Championship Section Runner-up six times between 2006 and 2022, before being crowned the NABBA Championship Section Champions in 2024. 

The ensemble maintains an active schedule, performing regularly throughout the academic year. They are frequent guests at prestigious festivals and conferences, including the American Trombone Workshop, the Virginia Music Educators Conference, and the Great American Brass Band Festival. 

In the summer of 2008, the band embarked on a concert tour of England, sharing the stage with the world-famous Cory Band. In 2009, they made history as the first brass band to perform a full-length concert at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. Their international presence continued to grow with a 2012 performance in Linz, Austria, and a 2017 appearance in Manchester, England, where they became the first U.S. brass band featured at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival. Most recently, they represented the United States at the 2022 World Music Contest in the Netherlands. 

Always committed to showcasing new repertoire, the band has given the North American premiere of over a dozen major works. Currently ranked among the top brass bands worldwide, the JMU Brass Band continues to build on its history of excellence, focusing on high-quality performances and new musical challenges. 

The Massanutten Brass Band, from Virginia’s beautiful Shenandoah Valley, was formed in September of 2001 and has developed a loyal and enthusiastic following of brass band enthusiasts. Now celebrating their 20th season, the ensemble is comprised of outstanding musicians from Northern Virginia, Charlottesville, and the Shenandoah Valley. The band’s personnel include school band directors, music professors, university music students, and serious amateur musicians. The ensemble performs throughout the central Shenandoah Valley region and has performed as the featured ensemble at the Virginia Music Educators Conference. The Massanutten Brass Band was awarded first prize in the 2nd Section (2007), third prize in the 1st Section (2009, 2010), and second prize (2023) and first prize (2024, 2025) in the 2nd Section at the North American Brass Band Association Championships.