James Madison University - Bluestone Schoolmaam Yearbook (Harrisonburg, VA)

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Band director Michael J. Davis (far left top) enthusiastically shouts instructions in one of many Marching Royal Dukes afternoon practices. Band members line the practice field, (far left bottom) preparing for another sterling halftime performance The glaring sun forces this Royal Duke (top left) to go undercover preceding a performance. The crisp drum section (below) lines up for a percussion feature. The nationally recognized Royal Dukes (bottom) conclude yet another dazzling performance as guests of the University of Richmond

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Sounds of Music I wanted to establish a prestigious program that would speak for itself. 7 ' Michael J. Davis Director of Royal Marching Dukes As long as there are the Marching Royal Dukes, there will be the assurance of an outstanding performance every Saturday afternoon at home football games. Half-times have become a legend. Named one of the top ten bands in the nation by Marching Bands of America Association, the 270-piece band entertain spectators with precision marching steps combined with solid contemporary music that bring crowds to their feet. The Marching Dukes spend as much time on the practice field as the football team each week, working hard under the inspiring direction of enthusiastic leader, Michael J. Davis. Davis, selected twice as the director of the All-American College Band, came to the music department in 1977 with the goal of establishing a top-notch program. That goal has certainly been attained. The group has performed at Baltimore Colt, Washington Redskin, and Pittsburgh Steeler games, and have taped advertisements for WHSV TV-3 in Harrisonburg. Perhaps Davis has done too well. On November 1 , he left for Disney World to direct the Walt Disney World Band. By directing the 28 piece professional band, he will be given the opportunity to make music with many of the V.I.P. ' s in showbusiness. Davis will be sorely missed. This year was devoted to screening for a replacement. In the meantime, though, Davis feels the Marching Dukes will have little trouble maintaining their popularity and success with both critics and students. As Davis added, The way the students support us is just great. 18 Marching Dukes

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I Sound cont ' The Students are here because they love music and they want it to he good. Ben Wright Director of Community Symphony and Chamber Orchestra The marching royal Dukes aren ' t the only outstanding musical organization on campus. The Community Symphony is a 90-piece orchestra that consists of college students, high school students, and community musicians. Membership is determined by auditions and is quite competitive. A sister symphony, the Chamber Orchestra, is even more silent since it consists of only 32 members. Both groups belong to the American Symphony Orchestra League, which is the central organization for all professional and community symphony groups. The Community Symphony ' s most prestigious honor to date is receiving The American Society of Composers. Authors, and Publishers College. University and Conservatory Orchestra Award. The award was presented for Adventuresome Overall Performance for the 1979-80 season The Community Symphony was one of four college symphonies in the nation to receive the award. Dr. Ben Wright, director of both symphonies, notes that scholarship funding is the only real improvement needed in the program. Their only fund raiser is a scholarship concert: each Spring. We don ' t have the money that some of our sister schools have. commented Wright. Our scholarship funds are inadequate, especially for our quality of students. 20 Symphony