Forbes Center

Violet and Daisy Hilton shared a rare bond: they were literally attached at the hip. The conjoined twins are the real-life inspiration behind the 2014 Broadway musical revival Side Show, which follows the story of the English entertainers and their search for love and acceptance amidst exploitation and fame in the 1930s’ side show, vaudeville and Hollywood communities. Features students from JMU’s School of Theatre and Dance and School of Music. More

John Mietus is an award-winning double bassist and composer who is currently studying at Rice University. More

The powerhouse all-male Argentinian dance company Che Malambo performs a percussive dance and music spectacle that celebrates the unique South American cowboy tradition of the gaucho. Malambo is a dynamic blend of precision footwork, rhythmic stomping, drumming, singing, and whirling of boleadoras (lassos with stones on the end). Don’t miss this exhilarating show that has captivated audiences across the globe! More

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This vocal celebration brings together beatbox sensation Blake Lewis from American Idol fame and a cappella groups Committed, Grammy-nominated gospel/R&B legends and Season 2 champions of The Sing-Off; Filipino-American boyband The Filharmonic, whose unique hip-hop and 90s’ nostalgia sound was featured in Pitch Perfect 2; and the internationally inspired Women of the World, who perform folk music in 32 languages. Features select members of JMU’s nine a cappella groups. More

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Seventeen JMU School of Music faculty and alumna will perform an arrangement for chamber ensemble of Gustav Mahler’s stirring song-symphony Das Lied von der Erde (The Song of the Earth), which consists of six songs based on a collection of Chinese poems about the joys and sorrows of life. Features the solo voices of tenor Jamison Walker and baritone Kevin McMillan under the direction of Foster Beyers. More

As part of her creative research into female poets and composers, JMU faculty soprano Dr. Dorothy Maddison will present Songs for Edith, Emily and Friends. Featured soloists include Dr. Karen Dannessa on clarinet and Jane Strauman on flute. JMU alumna Tracey Schimmel-Reed will join as guest pianist. More

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. More

Micheal Boyd is a Steinway artist who has performed with the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra, the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra, and at guest recitals across Europe and the United States, including Carnegie Hall. Boyd is a professor of piano at the University of Toledo. More

The JMU Concert Band is under the direction of Amy Birdsong. More

The Amernet is one of today’s exceptional string quartets, praised by The New York Times for its “intelligence” and “immensely satisfying” playing of new music and commissions as well as neglected works of the past. Currently the ensemble-in-residence at Florida International University in Miami, the Amernet will perform with special guests Heather Coltman, JMU Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs, and JMU faculty bassist Sam Suggs. More

The JMU Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Foster Beyers, is the premier symphonic ensemble for the JMU School of Music. More

Amsterdam-based Calefax Reed Quintet is acclaimed for its contemporary yet timeless interpretations of classical music. The Times of London has called the group, “five extremely gifted Dutch gents who almost made the reed quintet seem (like) the best musical format on the planet.” More

The JMU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band, under the direction of Stephen P. Bolstad, are committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition. 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

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. More

This special show commemorating the centennial of the birth of jazz giant Dave Brubeck features stories by the Brubeck brothers, video interviews with Dave Brubeck and musicians he influenced, as well as music by the Brubeck Brothers Quartet, “a wondrous combination of swing, melodic majesty, masterful arrangements and a truckload of truly inspirational solos.” (The Seattle Times) More

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Brimming with a lush score, compelling plot and brilliant wit, the hilarious and satirical operetta Iolanthe is a send up to Gilbert and Sullivan’s topsy-turvy world of misalliances, contradictions, and English political peculiarities. Passions are ignited, lovers are thwarted and then reunited, and in true G&S style, irreconcilable differences vanish with a pencil stroke and the wave of the Fairy Queen’s magic wand. More

Experience the JMU Symphony Orchestra as they accompany the winners of the prestigious School of Music Concerto Competition. The second half of the program will feature the strings of the JMU Symphony Orchestra along with The Madison Singers, JMU Chorale and JMU dance students in Triptych, a fast-moving, three-movement work by Grammy-nominated composer Tarik O’Regan. More

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. More

The JMU Jazz Band was founded in 1971 and is under the direction of Dr. Chuck Dotas. More

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

A multi-ethnic Latin pop songstress, Gina Chavez is a 10-time Austin Music Award winner whose NPR Tiny Desk Concert has garnered over 800,000 views. Her latest all-English release Lightbeam, “steeped in slow-burn soul and up-tempo R&B,” (NPR) adds diversity to her passionate collection of bilingual songs that traverse cumbia, indie folk, blues, and Latin pop. Chavez “possesses the vocal abilities to dig deep into your soul with her melodies.” (Nanobot Rock Reviews) More

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The JMU Wind Symphony, under the direction of Stephen P. Bolstad, is the premier woodwind, brass and percussion ensemble at JMU. The Wind Symphony is committed to performing the great works of the wind band’s core repertoire while also exploring the best of contemporary composition. More

After a full day of fun adventures at school and the store, Baby Llama can’t wait to put on his red pajamas. But where’s Mama? This hilarious new musical will warm every Llama and Llama Mama’s heart. Wear your pajamas and join us for a pre-show reception and crafts at 6 pm! Founded in 2004, Bay Area Children’s Theatre reaches 125,000 children and adults per year in the San Francisco Bay Area. More

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This concert benefitting Any Given Child Shenandoah Valley features the Valley Wind Ensemble, a group of more than 60 local area music educators and freelance musicians. An ensemble of students selected from Harrisonburg City Schools return to the lineup in an evening that combines performance, education and dialogue to engage audiences of all ages. Check back for program updates. More

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