The JMU Brass Band is the university’s premier brass ensemble. Directed by professor of music Kevin Stees, it is one of only a few collegiate brass bands in the United States.
The JMU Brass Band was one of three featured brass bands to perform at the 2012 International Tuba-Euphonium Conference in Linz, Austria, sharing the stage with low brass artists David Thornton, principal euphonium, Brighouse and Rastrick; Carol Jantsch, principal tuba, Philadelphia Orchestra; euphonium sensation Glenn Van Looy; and tuba virtuoso Les Neish.
In 2009, the group became the first brass band to perform a full-length concert at the Kennedy Center. In the summer of 2008, the ensemble embarked on a concert tour of England and Wales, and shared the stage with many outstanding bands including the No. 1 ranked brass band in the world, Cory Band. Formed in the fall of 2000, the band has twice been named the North American Brass Band Association Honors Section Champion (2005, 2004) and was the 2019, 2010, 2007 and 2006 NABBA Championship Section Runner-up.
The Madison Singers is the advanced, auditioned choral chamber ensemble at JMU. Maintaining an active performance schedule both on- and off-campus, they have shared the stage with renowned jazz artist Bobby McFerrin, modernist string quartet ETHEL, Native American flutist Robert Mirabal, American storytelling icon Garrison Keillor, and Irish ensembles Danú and the Five Irish Tenors. A featured choir on the 2015 Josh Groban Concert Tour in Washington, D.C., The Madison Singers have also sung in master classes with noted choral ensembles, including Tenebrae, Chanticleer and The King’s Singers. The Madison Singers tour locally, regionally and internationally, including competing in the 2009 National Eisteddfod Choral Competition and appearing frequently at the Charleston Piccolo Spoleto Festival. Regionally, they are active “audible ambassadors” for JMU, performing in the Staunton Music Festival and in local schools and assisted living facilities. The Madison Singers recently performed at the Augusta Correctional Center in Craigsville, Virginia which they consider one of their most meaningful concerts.
