Forbes Center for the Performing Arts

JMU faculty saxophonist David Pope presents a performance and presentation that centers on his creative approaches to interpretation, improvisation, and composition. Pope will share a few of his calligraphic scores and discuss how learning to write with his “opposite” hand opened up new possibilities in his work. The program features classical, jazz, and pop styles, and concludes with a Q&A. More

This concert features performances by the JMU Treble Chamber Choir and the University Men's, Women's and Combined Choruses. The JMU Treble Chamber Choir and the University Men’s and Combined Choruses are under the direction of Dr. W. Bryce Hayes. The University Women’s Chorus is under the direction of Dr. Jo-Anne van der Vat-Chromy. More

Created in collaboration with the National Jazz Museum in Harlem and JMG Live, Harlem 100 is a multimedia extravaganza that captures the magical sights and sounds of the Harlem Renaissance. Jazz standout Michael Mwenso and his big band backup, The Shakes, will bring audiences a rousing show featuring Brianna Thomas, “the best young straight-ahead jazz singer of her generation,” (Wall Street Journal) South African jazz vocalist Vuyo Sotashe, and tap dancer extraordinaire Michela Marino Lerman. More

 BUY SUBSCRIPTION  BUY SINGLE TICKETS 

Cellist Jonathan Ruck will join forces with pianist Ingrid Keller to perform Beethoven’s Sonata in F Major for Piano and Cello, Op. 5, No. 1; Stravinsky’s Suite Italienne for Cello and Piano; and Brahms’ Sonata in F Major for Cello and Piano, Op. 99. More

This year’s festival features the music of Bright Sheng, one of today’s foremost composers. A MacArthur Fellow and former student of Leonard Bernstein, Sheng creates stage, orchestral, chamber and vocal works that are widely commissioned—including by The White House in 1999—and regularly performed throughout North America, Europe and Asia. JMU faculty, ensembles and students will present Sheng’s music and other contemporary works in three main concerts during the festival. More

Minnesota Orchestra members John Snow and Peter McGuire make their debut performance at the Forbes Center! More

The Hour We Knew Nothing of Each Other takes place in a city square where more than 400 characters pass by one another without speaking a single word. In the silence of the square, Handke journeyed to the brink of speech: Who is that person passing by? Is she on her way, or is she coming back? Is her story ahead of her, or is it behind? The gift of speech—the magic of telling a story—is left to the spectator in this “extraordinary piece of epic mime.” (The Guardian) Contains nudity (partial).  More

The Madison Singers is the advanced, auditioned choral chamber ensemble at JMU. Ranging from 60-80 voices, the JMU Chorale is an auditioned and highly select choir. More

The JMU Symphonic Band is under the direction of Stephen P. Bolstad. More

Set in rural England during the 17th century, Vinegar Tom tells the story of four non-conforming women tried for witchcraft and a village of accusers desperately trying to keep them in their proper place. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance. Adult content, adult language, violence, and sexual violence. More

This collaborative program features Lowell Liebermann’s Ice Music (2012) for Chamber Ensemble, Sofia Gubaidulina’s Sounds of the Forest for Flute and Piano, Katherine Hoover’s Kokopeli for Solo Flute, Ian Clarke’s Spiral Lament for Flute and Piano, and other works. This multimedia presentation features stunning videography of the Arctic wilderness by photographer/flutist Brooks de Wetter-Smith. More

The JMU Percussion Ensemble, directed by Casey Cangelosi, consists of nearly 30 students and has performed throughout the East Coast, including concerts at the Virginia Music Educators Association Convention and Virginia Days of Percussion. More

Hailing from South Wales, the world’s top brass band ensemble will play an eclectic and engaging collection of repertoire bursting with energetic precision in a fun and rousing concert! More

From Marguerite’s celebrated “Jewel Song” to the beloved “Soldiers’ Chorus,” Gounod’s searing and sumptuous score propels Goethe’s tale of redemption and damnation into a dizzying dance with the devil that is impossible to forget. More

In the wild swamps of Louisiana, Wiley lives with his Mammy. Wiley wants to spend his time as carefree as possible—playing with Dog, sleeping when he wants, learning a bit of magic from Mammy. But after a nightmare and an argument, Wiley is sent to the swamp where he encounters the Hairy Man. The big, bad boogie man of the swamp, the Hairy Man got his Daddy. Will he get Wiley too? More