Currently the 2024 North American Brass Association Championship Section winning band, the JMU Brass Band stands as one of the most successful collegiate brass bands in the world. Formed by Professor Kevin Stees in the Fall of 2000, the band quickly rose to prominence, winning the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) 1st Section Championship in 2004 and 2005. They have also been the NABBA Championship Section Runner-up in 2006, 2007, 2010, 2016, 2019, and 2022.
The JMU Brass Band maintains an active schedule, performing regularly throughout the academic year. They have been featured at numerous prestigious festivals and conferences, including the American Trombone Workshop, Virginia Music Educators Conference, Great American Brass Band Festival, U.S. Army Tuba Euphonium Workshop, and the Southeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference.
In the summer of 2008, the ensemble embarked on a concert tour of England, sharing the stage with many outstanding bands, including the world-famous Cory Band. In 2009, they made history as the first brass band to perform a full-length concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The band's international presence continued to grow with a performance in 2012 at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Linz, Austria. In 2017, they became the first U.S. brass band to be featured at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival in Manchester, England. In 2022, they proudly represented the United States in the Championship Division of the 19th World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
Always committed to showcasing new repertoire, the JMU Brass Band has given the North American premiere of over a dozen major works for brass band. Currently ranked among the top 50 brass bands worldwide, the JMU Brass Band continues to set high standards and achieve remarkable milestones in the world of brass music.
The JMU Brass Band maintains an active schedule, performing regularly throughout the academic year. They have been featured at numerous prestigious festivals and conferences, including the American Trombone Workshop, Virginia Music Educators Conference, Great American Brass Band Festival, U.S. Army Tuba Euphonium Workshop, and the Southeast Regional Tuba Euphonium Conference.
In the summer of 2008, the ensemble embarked on a concert tour of England, sharing the stage with many outstanding bands, including the world-famous Cory Band. In 2009, they made history as the first brass band to perform a full-length concert at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. The band's international presence continued to grow with a performance in 2012 at the International Tuba Euphonium Conference in Linz, Austria. In 2017, they became the first U.S. brass band to be featured at the Royal Northern College of Music Brass Band Festival in Manchester, England. In 2022, they proudly represented the United States in the Championship Division of the 19th World Music Contest in Kerkrade, Netherlands.
Always committed to showcasing new repertoire, the JMU Brass Band has given the North American premiere of over a dozen major works for brass band. Currently ranked among the top 50 brass bands worldwide, the JMU Brass Band continues to set high standards and achieve remarkable milestones in the world of brass music.
