2015 SEASON
Welcome!
July 2015
GREETINGS and WELCOME to the 2015 JMU MARCHING ROYAL DUKES!!
I would like to take this time to welcome all of you to “Virginia’s Finest,” and one of America’s
favorite college band programs! For those of you returning, welcome back. And, for those who
will be marching with us for the first time, we welcome you to one of the most outstanding
traditions on our campus, the JMU Marching Royal Dukes!
Now starting our 44th season, we are looking forward to another exciting year of performances,
football, and travel. For a relatively young college marching band program, we have certainly
created and continue to evolve a strong tradition on our campus, as well as an internationallyrecognized reputation around the world. As ambassadors for the university and the Shenandoah
Valley, we have traveled throughout the commonwealth, country, and globe promoting James
Madison University, music education, and the impressive reputation we hold as one of the largest
and most active college marching bands in the country. This year, we look forward to continuing
these traditions and making the MRDs “Virginia’s Finest.”
I am pleased to announce that our first show of the year will be entitled, “Rhythm Nation,”
featuring an slightly eclectic and exciting “rhythm” theme – Michael Jackson’s Earth Song, El Toro
Caliente, Gershwin’s I Got Rhythm, Rhythm of Our World by Arturo Sandoval, and a Michael
Jackson/Janet Jackson/Justin Timberlake mash-up to close. Our season will include several
performances, beginning with a local high school performance, “pep band” trips to 2 JMU away
games (Delaware & Towson), our annual Parade of Champions marching band contest, and
exhibition performances at the 2015 Cary Band Day in Cary, NC.
Please review the contents of this mailing carefully, and make sure you have made all of the
necessary preparations for our pre-season band camp and the season ahead.
Enclosed, you will find: music for pre-game and selections from our first show (see the additional
information about season music and part assignments). In order to prepare for auditions (wind
players) and establish a productive pace for camp and the season, it is necessary for ALL WIND
PLAYERS TO HAVE THE ENCLOSED MUSIC PREPARED BEFORE ARRIVING TO CAMP.
Auditions will be held on MONDAY, August 24 for brass and woodwind marching spots. As
always, we want to finish camp with a show that is indicative of the tradition and excitement of
the Marching Royal Dukes.
In addition to the music, please review the rest of the important information included. You will
need to know what to bring to camp, what supplies you will need for the season, the timeline for
MRD camp registration and Residence Hall move-in (for those living on campus), MRD rehearsal
locations, MRD performance dates and locations, and other important details about our season
ahead. In addition to the information for our members, please make sure to share the handout
specifically for your parents – this includes details about our schedule as well as purchasing tickets
to see the band at games this season. If you have any questions about the information or have
problems with your music, please contact the JMU Band Office at 540.568.6656, or send me an
e-mail.
YOU CAN ALSO FIND ALL SEASON INFORMATION ON OUR WEBSITE: www.jmu.edu/mrd
Again, I hope you share my excitement for the upcoming season. I would like to welcome all of
you to the 2015 edition of the JMU Marching Royal Dukes. I look forward to seeing you at Band
Camp on Sunday, August 23 and am excited for what will certainly be a most FANtastic season
ahead.
Sincerely,
!
Scott D. Rikkers
Director, Marching Royal Dukes