JMU Hosts Free, Annual ‘Concerts on the Lawn’ Series

Sponsored by the College of Visual and Performing Arts at James Madison University, the 2018 Concerts on the Lawn series will take place between May 20 and June 24 on the Lawn at the Music Building or at Memorial Hall. No concert will be held on May 27. All concerts are free and open to the public.

Sunday, May 20 @ 6 p.m. – Memorial Hall

Massanutten Brass Band and Massanutten Youth Brass Band are British-style bands in the Shenandoah Valley whose repertoire includes marches, concert works, hymns, movie music, and music written specifically for brass bands. Under the direction of Kevin Stees, Massanutten Brass Band was the 2007 Champion of the North American Brass Band Association’s 2nd Section. The band placed third in the 1st Section in 2009 and 2010, and second in the 1st Section in 2012. The Massanutten Youth Brass Band, now in its ninth year, draws its members from 13 high schools in the Central Virginia area. The band is under the direction of Rhonda Stees. 

Sunday, June 3 @ 6 p.m. – Memorial Hall

A crowd favorite, the 29th Division Army Band returns to play patriotic and popular music. Chief Warrant Officer Donald Carson conducts the band. Established in 1917, the 29th has supported the troops fighting in World Wars I and II, Bosnia and Iraq. Based in Petersburg, Virginia, the band has performed moral-building concerts and provided ceremonial backgrounds for funerals, changes of command and community concerts.

Sunday, June 10 @ 6 p.m. – Memorial Hall

Back for its third appearance on the series, Sentimental Journey is a 17-piece big band featuring many of the area’s finest musicians. Started in 1986 by Dick Miller and directed by Ray Hoaster, the band plays throughout Central Virginia for dances, weddings, school master classes, private parties, charities, and swing and jazz concerts. This concert features the best of the Big Band Era, including classics by Benny Goodman, Artie Shaw, Count Basie and Glenn Miller.

Sunday, June 17 @ 6 p.m. – Lawn at the Music Building

Harrisonburg-Rockingham Concert Band, under the direction of Melissa Harper, will perform Broadway tunes, movie music, Americana favorites and Sousa marches. A frequent performer in the summer and during the holiday season, the band traces its lineage to the late 19th century; it took the form of a modern-day concert band in 1983.

Sunday, June 24 @ 6 p.m. – Lawn at the Music Building

Just Jazzin', a 20-member ensemble that plays big band and contemporary swing and Latin tunes, has played at concerts, dances and benefits in the Central Virginia area. The band also performs with college and high school jazz ensembles, and gives master classes to young jazz musicians throughout the Shenandoah Valley. Directed by Tom McKenzie, Just Jazzin’ features vocal soloists Danny Baralle and Kelly Harris.

Parking is available at Memorial Hall, which is located at 395 South High Street. The Lawn at the Music Building is located at 880 South Main Street. Parking is available between Duke Hall and Miller Hall, between the Forbes Center and Anthony-Seeger, and in the Warsaw Parking Deck. Updates will be available at https://www.facebook.com/JMUconcertsonthelawn or at (540) 568-6987 on the day of the concert.