Fall 2025 Wind Ensembles

Concert Band (MUAP 238/538): The Concert Band is the band program’s largest concert ensemble with an average of 70-95 players. With a performance schedule of one to two concerts per semester, the Concert Band performs a wide variety of wind band repertoire. Membership is open to all JMU students without audition. Interested individuals should register for MUAP 238. For additional information, please contact Dr. Birdsong (fall semester) at birdsoae@jmu.edu or Mr. Rikkers (spring semester) at rikkersd@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 2:20-3:35pm

Music Building Room 108

Concert Band Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 8, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• November 13, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Symphonic Band (MUAP 239): The Symphonic Band is an ensemble of 50-60 select woodwind, brass and percussion players. The ensemble performs two to three concerts per semester with music ranging from the best of the core repertoire to the latest in contemporary composition. Along with the Wind Symphony, the Symphonic Band hosts a guest composer residency each spring semester. Membership is open to all JMU students and is determined by auditions at the beginning of each semester. For additional information and to request audition materials, please email Dr. Cicconi at cicco2cm@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Tuesday/Thursday, 12:45-2:00pm

Forbes 1115

Symphonic Band Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 8, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• December 4, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Wind Symphony (MUAP 346/546/646):

The Wind Symphony is the premier woodwind, brass, and percussion ensemble at James Madison University. With an active performance schedule, the Wind Symphony is committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition. The ensemble has hosted on-campus residencies with composers David Maslanka, John Mackey, Michael Daugherty, Joel Puckett, Steven Bryant, Donald Grantham and JMU alumnus Brian Balmages. The ensemble has also presented premieres of faculty composers Jason Haney (Jetpack) and Eric Guinivan (Vicious Cycle), and consortium premiers of Maslanka’s Symphony No. 8, Puckett’s The Shadows of Sirius, Grantham’s Tuba Concerto, Turrin’s The Sounding of the Call, Stamp’s Divertimento, Plog’s Concerto 2010, and Balmages’ Portraits in Bluestone. As part of JMU’s annual Contemporary Music Festival, students have also had the opportunity to work with composers such as Karel Husa, Joseph Schwanter, Don Freund, Donald Erb, John Harbison, Francis McBeth, Mark Camphouse and Samuel Adler. 

In addition to on-campus concerts the Wind Symphony recently performed for the 2015 National Conference of the College Band Directors Association (CBDNA) in Nashville, TN, and the VMEA In-Service Conferences in 2015 and 2011. Prior to that the Wind Symphony has performed at CBDNA regional conventions in New Orleans, Charlotte, Williamsburg, and Greensboro, plus numerous performances for the VMEA State Conference. They have also performed at the Kennedy Center in 1987 and 2007.  Graduates of the Wind Symphony hold positions in several of the Washington-based military bands, military post bands and symphony orchestras throughout the world, and numerous graduates are serving as noted educators and conductors throughout the country. Membership is open to all JMU students and is determined by auditions at the beginning of each semester. For additional information and to request audition materials, please email Dr. Cicconi at cicco2cm@jmu.edu.

Meeting Times:

Monday - 4:10-5:00pm

Wednesday & Friday - 4:10-5:25pm

Forbes 1115

Wind Symphony Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 10, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• November 19, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• Holidayfest: December 6 @ 7:30pm & December 7 @ 2:00pm | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Fall 2025 Orchestral Ensembles

Symphony Orchestra (MUAP 345/545/645): The Symphony Orchestra is the premiere performing group of the orchestral area with a wide and diverse repertoire and up to 5 concerts performances per semester. Entrance into this group is via audition regardless of major. For more information on Symphony Orchestra, please contact Dr. Omelchenko (omelchkl@jmu.edu).

Meeting Times:

Monday, 3:00-3:50pm

Tuesday/Thursday, 2:20-3:35pm

Forbes 1115 and Forbes Concert Hall

Symphony Orchestra Fall Concert Dates*:

• September 30, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall
• November 11, 7:30pm | Forbes Concert Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.

Chamber Orchestra (MUAP 344/544): The JMU Chamber Orchestra is comprised of string, wind, brass, & percussion musicians, and presents up to 4 performances each year. Membership is open, through the audition process, to all students regardless of major looking for an opportunity to continue playing at JMU. They perform two concerts a semester. Works programmed include compositions from the Baroque, Classical, early 19th century, as well as chamber works of the 20th century. For more information on Chamber Orchestra, please contact Dr. Omelchenko (omelchkl@jmu.edu). 

Meeting Times:

Monday, Wednesday, Friday - 11:30am-12:20pm

Forbes 1115 and Forbes Recital Hall

Chamber Orchestra Fall Concert Dates*:

• October 15, 7:00pm | Forbes Recital Hall
• November 17, 7:00pm | Forbes Recital Hall

*please review your syllabus for dress rehearsal dates for these concerts.