2003 Show List
I joined the drumline in 2000 and played 7th bass my first year. My second, third, and now fourth year I am in the snare line. I have enjoyed every minute of it, and can't wait until next year too. Maybe if you are interested in attending JMU, you could be a part of The Marching Royal Dukes Drumline! This season I am one of six section leaders in the drumline, and co-section leader of the snareline. Amanda Brock, Seth Hartley-Werner, Ryan Larned, Amanda Anderson, and Jennifer Baxter are the other section leaders. We have had a great band camp and are ready for the season to start. Away performances this year include Virginia Tech on Sept. 6, William and Mary on Oct. 18, and a trip to Ireland and Germany from Dec. 26-Jan. 4, 2004! Come out to a game to see us perform, everyone else does! Here is a history and interesting facts about the band. The James Madison University Marching Royal Dukes were started in 1972 as a football band, and have continued to do so since then. We perform a different show at all home games and travel to select away games and different events. Among the many awards and performances, the MRD's have performed at NFL games in Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington. In 1983, they were the half-time show for the NFL championship game between the Washington Redskins and the Dallas Cowboys. They have been a featured performer for Walt Disney productions and several times the feature band for the Richmond Christmas parade. In 1988 and 1991, the Marching Royal Dukes were featured band at the Bands of America Grand national Championship. In 1994, the John Philip Sousa Foundation selected them as recipient of the Sudler Trophy. This award is the Heisman Trophy of college marching bands. 1997 saw a first as the Marching Royal Dukes took their first European tour. Performing first for the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi family in Monaco, the Dukes then gave wonderful performances in Cannes, France and Genoa, Italy. Thousands of fans followed the Dukes as they paraded down streets filled with rich European tradition shouting "JMU." Also in 1997, as well as in 2001, the MRD's were featured in the Presidential Inaugural Parade. In 2000 The Marching Royal Dukes travelled to Athens, Greece to perform for the millenium celebration in front of more than 500,000 people. In 2002 the Dukes performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City. In 2003 the band will travel to Ireland and Germany to perform in the New Years Day Parade, and sight see in Europe. The Percussion section of the Marching Royal Dukes typically consists of 8 Snares, 4 Tenors, 6 Bass Drums, 8 Cymbals, and 8 Pit members. The number of members in any section is subject to change depending on the level of talent at auditions, and the number of returning members from year to year. The snares play match grip, which allows us to carry over similar playing techniques learned in the university’s Percussion studio. Our powerful drumline represents a large group of students working together to produce a unique and entertaining show weekend after weekend. We do our best at all times to set an example for the band and other students in the community. Be prepared for extra rehearsals…we never play the same show twice! Students are responsible for memorizing all exercises and music. We have a lot of fun together, but only after the hard work is done. For more information on the JMU Drumline, please contact: Rick Deloney at delonerm@jmu.edu, or (540) 568-6426
2003 Drumline Members
2003 Performance Schedule
Marching Royal Dukes Webpage
Official JMU MRD Drumline Webpage
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