Music Special Programs
JMU Music Academy
The JMU School of Music offers offers recreational music classes on piano and guitar to JMU faculty and staff and adults in the local community. During fall and spring semesters, our classes meet for an hour once a week for 12 weeks, with a special 6-week program offered in the summer. Designed for beginners and developing learners, Music Academy classes are tailored for participants to make music in a fun, no-pressure environment! Classes meet online!
JMU George West Jazz Festival
Under the direction of Dr. Chuck Dotas, the JMU Jazz Ensemble was founded in 1971 and is the premier jazz group in the School of Music at JMU. The ensemble has performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts’ Terrace Theater, Montreux International Jazz and Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival and VMEA annual convention.
The JMU Jazz Ensemble has been featured with the U.S. Navy Commodores Jazz Ensemble and U.S. Air Force Airmen of Note Jazz Ensemble and at the East Coast Jazz Festival in Rockville, Maryland. The ensemble has performed with renowned artists like Bobby McFerrin and esteemed jazz vocalist Sheila Jordan.
Junior Audition Clinic
This free one-day event is designed to help high school juniors (sophomores are also welcome) to gain knowledge about what it's like to audition for a university music department in a friendly and non-threatening environment.
Spring String Thing
Join us for the Spring String Thing May, 2021. This year will mark the 43rd year for this highly popular program designed to provide enrichment for junior high school students.
Summer Band Camps
Your summer music experience begins here! Learn more about our 5 unique camps - July, 2021.
JMU Vocal Arts Camp
The JMU Vocal Arts Summer Camp is a celebration of choral singing, community, and lifelong friendship through music - coming July, 2021!
Learn more about JMU Vocal Arts Camp
Woodwind Fest
Montréal Summer Study
This program offers courses that satisfy all three groups of Cluster II General Education (HUM, MUS, and ENG). Students may also take School of Music and Jazz Studies classes, working with professional musicians active on the Montréal scene. The program also travels to Quebec City (staying in the world-famous Chateau Frontenac) to participate in Quebec's annual La Fete Nationale celebration. Students enrolled at any university are welcome to participate and apply JMU course credit hours toward one's degree program. Students do not need to speak French or play a musical instrument to participate in this study abroad session. All majors are welcome! The only requirement is your desire to spend a month getting to know one of North America's most unique cities.
Kodály Teacher Training
Participants will study pedagogy, musical materials, choral conducting and musicianship/solfege. The JMU course is endorsed by the Organization of American Kodály Educators.
Why take a Kodály course?
- You will become a better musician.
- You will learn many, many new songs, games, techniques, ideas.
- You will save HOURS of time on lesson planning because of more effective and detailed long-range planning and more organized materials.
- Your lessons will become more efficient, effective, enjoyable, and intentional.
Flute Fling
The JMU Flute Club and the School of Music present FLUTE FLING! This event is a fun and informative day of flute activities presented and sponsored by the students of the JMU Flute Club and geared towards flutists of all ages, teachers, band directors, and flute aficionados!
JMU Summer Concerts on the Lawn 2021
Sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts, we look forward to 2021 when concerts hopefully will take place in May and June on the Lawn at the Music Building or in War Memorial Auditorium at Memorial Hall (former Harrisonburg High School). All concerts are free and open to the public. For outdoor concerts, please bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating and picnics are welcome.
Online Piano Day
JMU Piano Day includes mini masterclasses with international piano faculty, workshop sessions, and a performance opportunity in the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts Recital Hall!
