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School of Music • Harrisonburg, Virginia
Quick Take
JMU's School of Music in Harrisonburg, VA offers classical, jazz, and music therapy in performance, education, and conducting with strong ensembles and merit aid at a selective Virginia public school. The school is highly regarded in the region, known for excellent music education and music therapy programs, strong wind ensemble traditions, and accessible admissions within a vibrant Shenandoah Valley setting.
James Madison at a Glance
| Program | |
| School / Division | James Madison University School of Music |
| Setting | public |
| Religious Affiliation | none |
| Program Size | medium |
| Genres / Styles | choral, classical, country, folk, jazz |
| Primary Instrument | bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice |
| Areas of Study | composition, conducting, jazz, music education, music therapy, performance |
| Degrees Offered | Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, Bachelor of Science, Doctorate, Master’s |
| Musical Selectivity | selective |
| NASM Accreditation | Yes |
| Admissions | |
| Academic Selectivity | selective |
| Average GPA | 3.65 |
| Application Deadline | Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) |
| Auditions | |
| Audition | is required |
| Audition Competitiveness | competitive |
| Audition Window | Jan–Mar |
| Prescreening | is not required |
| Location | |
| City / State | Harrisonburg, Virginia |
Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the James Madison website
.
Program Overview
The music program at James Madison is medium in size and a .
Music Genre/Style Strengths
James Madison supports the following musical genres/styles: choral, classical, country, folk, jazz. At some schools, students can explore multiple styles while developing strong technical and artistic foundations within their primary genre.
Visit the James Madison website for more specific information on the music genres/styles it supports.
Primary Instruments
Students at James Madison can pursue study across a range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students study privately with faculty on their primary instrument while participating in ensembles and collaborative performances.
Visit the James Madison website for more specific information about their support for studies on specific instruments.
Music Studies Offered at James Madison
Students at James Madison can pursue degrees focused on composition, conducting, jazz, music education, music therapy, performance. Music degree programs typically combine private instruction, ensemble participation, music theory coursework, and performance opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in music.
Visit the James Madison website for more specific information on the programs of study it offers.
Acceptance
Musical acceptance at James Madison is selective. Academically, it is selective, with accepted students having an average GPA of 3.65. (Unlike academic programs, music admissions typically emphasize performance and artistic potential.) The application deadline for James Madison is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular) of each year.
Visit the James Madison website to confirm acceptance information and deadlines.
Auditions
An audition is required at James Madison, and the school's auditions are considered to be competitive. The audition window is Jan–Mar of each year. A pre-screening video or portfolio is not required.
Visit the James Madison website for more specific information on auditions.
Location and Music Scene
JMU is in Harrisonburg, a lively Shenandoah Valley college city with a thriving local music scene, a growing arts culture, and access to both DC and Richmond's professional music organizations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is James Madison hard to get into?
Admission to James Madison is considered selective for music and selective academically. At most schools, the audition carries significant weight. Admitted students need to demonstrate performance ability and artistic potential in addition to meeting academic requirements.
Do I need a prescreening video to audition at James Madison?
A prescreening video or portfolio submission at James Madison.
Prescreening requirements vary significantly from school to school, and sometimes by instrument or area of study, so it's worth checking directly with the admissions office to confirm what's expected for your specific application.
What instruments can I study at James Madison?
supports study across a wide range of instruments, including bassoon, cello, clarinet, double bass, flute, guitar, harp, horn, oboe, organ, percussion, piano, saxophone, trombone, trumpet, tuba, viola, violin, voice. Students typically study privately with a faculty member on their primary instrument while also participating in ensembles and collaborative performance opportunities.
Instrument availability and faculty depth can vary. If you play something less common, it's worth reaching out to the department directly to confirm faculty availability before you apply.
What GPA do I need for James Madison?
Admitted students at James Madison have an average GPA of 3.65. Keep in mind that this is an average. Some admitted students come in above it, some below, depending on the strength of the overall application and, especially, the audition.
Music programs tend to weigh audition performance heavily, which means a particularly strong musical candidate may be admitted even if their GPA is below the typical range. The reverse is also true. Academic strength alone won't compensate for a weak audition.
What is the application deadline for James Madison?
The application deadline for James Madison is Nov 1 (EA) | Jan 15 (regular), with live auditions typically held Jan–Mar. These dates can shift year to year, so it's important to verify directly with the admissions office well in advance.
Music school deadlines often arrive earlier than general college application deadlines, and audition slots can fill up quickly, especially at competitive programs. Getting your application in early is rarely a bad idea.
Information on this page is updated periodically. Always confirm details directly with the school's admissions office.
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