All Bachelor of Music, Master of Music, and Doctor of Musical Arts students at James Madison University are required to give at least one degree recital, depending on degree requirements (see the University Catalogs for more information on specific requirements).

Students are required to adhere to the degree recital policies for the culminating performance project as established by the applied areas within which students are pursuing their degree.

Recital Spaces & Availability:

All degree recitals (doctorate, masters, senior, & junior level) recitals have the opportunity to schedule in the Forbes Center Recital Hall. Additionally, students are allowed to use Anthony-Seeger Auditorium or an off-campus location. 

Forbes Recital Hall Dates & Times:

D.M.A., M.M., Senior Full, Senior Half, and Junior Half Recitals are scheduled on select Tuesdays, Fridays, & Saturdays at various times.

Anthony-Seeger Auditorium Dates & Times:

Recitals in Anthony-Seeger are usually scheduled on Fridays at 8:00pm, or Saturdays and Sundays at 1:00pm, 4:00pm, or 7:00pm. Times will vary based on availability. 

Recital Requirements:

Degree Recitals must adhere to the lengths determined by the JMU School of Music

 *Shared half recitals cannot include an intermission.

**Full solo recitals (Senior Full, M.M., and D.M.A.) may include a 10-minute intermission if desired. 
 

Paperwork Requirements:

If you are giving a recital in the Forbes Recital Hall, you must read and fill out the Student Recital Packet & Paperwork. 

Scheduling of all student recitals for those interested in performing in the Forbes Recital Hall will take place with the School of Music Operations Coordinator, Sarah Macomber. The School of Music (SoM) requires all students interested in giving a recital for the entire academic year (fall 2025 & spring 2026) to enter a Recital Lottery. This indicates to the Operations Coordinator that a student is interested in giving a recital in the Recital Hall. After the Recital Lottery closes, the Operations Coordinator gives each submission a number and uses a computer randomizer to make an order for scheduling recitals. Students will receive a 10-minute appointment slot in which they should be available via email should they need to discuss recital options with the Operations Coordinator. The student will schedule their recital during this time.  

Prior to scheduling a recital in the Forbes Recital Hall, all students must attend one of two Student Recital Orientations. If you are not on the sign-in sheet at one of these meetings, you will not be permitted to sign up for a recital slot in the Forbes Recital Hall.  

If you are giving a half recital, you must have a partner or the Operations Coordinator will place you with one, numbers permitting. To ensure efficiency in the recital scheduling process, half recitalists will have the same appointment slot with the Operations Coordinator and should be available together during their appointment in case conversations need to happen regarding dates, times, and availability. 

Forbes Center Dress Rehearsals:

One full recital or two joint half recitals will receive one 75-minute rehearsal. In the case of a single half recital, that student will receive one 45-minute rehearsal in the Recital Hall. 

A list of available rehearsal dates will be sent out by the Operations Coordinator once they are made available. Once a slot is determined to work for all involved (recitalist(s), collaborative musicians, applied faculty, etc.), the student(s) should email the Operations Coordinator to reserve their rehearsal slot. Please do not contact the Forbes Production Office to schedule your rehearsal. This only takes place in the SoM through the Operations Coordinator. 

Dress rehearsals for all recitalists performing in the Forbes Recital Hall must be scheduled with the Operations Coordinator five (5) weeks prior to the recital. If a dress rehearsal is not scheduled in this time frame, a dress rehearsal time slot will be assigned without consulting the student or faculty about availability. Recitalists who have not confirmed their dress rehearsal and turned in their information form by three (3) weeks prior to their recital will automatically be cancelled and the recitalist will not be allowed to reschedule in the Forbes Center for the remainder of the academic year.  

Anthony-Seeger Dress Rehearsals:

Dress Rehearsals for all recitalists performing in Anthony-Seeger Auditorium must be scheduled with Sarah Macomber. Dress rehearsal dates are first come, first served. 

Forbes Recital Hall Cancellation Policy

It is expected that all student recitals take place on the day and time originally scheduled with the Operations Coordinator. If a cancellation is necessary for any reason, please contact the Operations Coordinator immediately. In cases other than extreme hardship (e.g. debilitating illness/injury, family emergency), students will not be permitted to reschedule in the Recital Hall within the same academic year. Students are permitted to arrange a separate recital space with the Operations Coordinator or may elect to go to an off-campus location.  

All cancellations or reschedule considerations need to be brought to the Operations Coordinator, who will then follow up with the Production Services Manager about next steps. Please do not contact the Forbes Production Office with cancellation or rescheduling requests. 

Anthony-Seeger Auditorium Cancellation Policy

All cancellations need to be communicated to Sarah Macomber (macombse@jmu.edu). Recitals cancelled in Anthony-Seeger can be rescheduled if a date and time are available.

The School of Music Office of Concert & Support Services will print the programs for all student degree recitals free of charge. Please follow the below procedure:

1. Use the appropriate program template.
2. All recital parties involved should approve program, including professors.
3. Once approved by professors, please email to Donna Wampler (wampledk@jmu.edu) or the Graduate Assistant that has been corresponding with you. This email should show that it was approved by your professor(s).
4. Please pick up program by 3:00PM the day of your recital or by 3:00PM on Friday if your recital is on the weekend. 

Students are permitted to perform off-campus with their applied professor's permission, and it must be in Harrisonburg city/Rockingham County. Most off-campus recitals are held in churches in downtown Harrisonburg, and students must handle all scheduling and logistics of the recital. 

Please inform Sarah Macomber (macombse@jmu.edu) of your off-campus recital so it can be advertised on our Calendar.