Another season in the books, remarks by Scott Rikkers

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As our 2015 season draws to a close – at least, the “regular season,” that is – I would like to take this opportunity to share with you some of the highlights of the fall so far.

We are in our 44th year of existence and I am proud of the evolution our program continues to make each season with our work both on and off campus.  After welcoming one of our largest classes of new members (175), we had an exciting and successful pre-season camp. This culminated with a performance at Wilson Memorial High School to support their band program and Music Education in Augusta County (fortunately, this year we didn’t have any bus issues), and then our JMU home football opener the next day.  This marked the start of a three-weekend stretch – a busy start to the season.  But, it was a special one.

The MRD members began raising funds to help support the Virginia Special Olympics during our pre-season camp in August.  We were proud to present a check for over $1,000 to this organization during the “Day with the Dukes” game on September 5. I am incredibly impressed with our students’ efforts to dedicate themselves, beyond our rehearsals, to a cause greater than our own, and to recognize the potential our organization to contribute positively to our community and beyond.

Our busy September continued with the 2nd Annual JMU Band Day.  We had another successful event, hosting over 450 high school students who joined us to experience a game day at JMU.  We are proud to offer this opportunity for young musicians to be part of a college game day and perform with the Marching Royal Dukes.  This year’s event even came with a special bonus . . . our first-ever inclement weather stadium evacuation.  I never thought I would experience that at Bridgeforth Stadium, but am glad we were able to get back in to support the Dukes for what was left of the game and also to perform our postgame show for everybody who stayed to see it.

October proved to be even busier than September.  While I prefer a busy start to the season (rather than a busy end), I didn’t realize that we were, in fact, going to have a busy start and middle (and potentially, end) to the year.  What began with Family Weekend and an exciting Homecoming with our participating in the news-making ESPN College Gameday visit to our campus, concluded with a successful trip to perform in exhibition at the 57th Annual Cary Band Day.  The band gave up their Halloween take the 22-hour trip to perform twice for a very appreciative crowd at one of the longest-running and best-known marching and competitions in the East. Of course this is second only to the JMU Parade of Champions.  One of our favorite events of the season is POC.  This year we had 73 bands apply to join us and from that list, we had to select only 54 to participate (a normal contest lineup (for us) is usually 42-46 bands). What a great day for our program and university, and all of the bands who join us for this year’s contest. 

While our semester quickly comes to an end and the Holiday Season is upon us, we still have several important events left on our schedule.  This weekend we welcome our Band Parents and the 2015 MRD Alumni Band to join us for a special game day on Saturday, November 21.  At this last “scheduled” home game of the season, we will recognize our graduating seniors, celebrate our program by welcoming our annual Alumni Band to perform with us at halftime, and our band parents to join us for this exciting day.  After Thanksgiving, we will make our annual performance at the Harrisonburg Holiday Parade (December 4) and hopefully NCAA post-season with the JMU Football team. 

You have heard me say many times that the Marching Royal Dukes do not have an official Band Booster program.  We are fortunate to have the support and the appreciation of our administration and campus community, as well as the contributions of our talented and dedicated members each season.  However, what we do is also supported by you: our band parents, family members, alumni, and soon-to-be alumni.  We hope you will continue to be part of our program’s evolution.

For more information about supporting the band program at JMU, please visit: http://www.jmu.edu/mrd/giving.shtml

Thank you for being part of one of JMU’s greatest traditions and Virginia’s Finest -- the JMU Marching Royal Dukes.

Best,

Scott Rikkers, Director




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Posted by JMU Marching Royal Dukes on Thursday, October 22, 2015




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Published: Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Last Updated: Friday, November 3, 2017

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