It’s Been A GREAT Year!!!
2025 has been a GREAT year for the Music Departments at JFHMS and BHS! Read on for an update from each Director, along with a preview of upcoming events, including a chance for BHS Band alumni to return to the BHS stage to perform Sleigh Ride!
From Danny Holland The BHS Bands have had an outstanding start to their school year. The marching band had a strong competition season, earning high marks and placements at numerous competitions. In addition to strong performances at five competitions and marching assessment, the marching band performed at home football games, the Broadway Homecoming Parade, and John C. Myers Elementary’s November “Walk to School” event. One student was accepted into the South Central Senior Regional Orchestra, eight students were accepted into the 2026 Virginia Tech Honor Band, and fifteen students were accepted into the 25-26 City/County Honor Band. In December, the marching band will be performing at the Broadway Tree Lighting on December 3rd, in the Harrisonburg City Holiday Parade on Saturday, December 6th and the Broadway Firemen’s’ Parade on Sunday, December 14th. The Broadway High School Bands will be performing their winter concert on Thursday, December 18th at 7pm, featuring the Broadway HS Early Bird Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Marching Band! Thank you to all of the faculty, families, sponsors, and community members who have and continue to support the bands at Broadway High School.
From Cathy Brown–Things have been crazy busy for the JFHMS Bands this year, but members are showing solid growth both musically and in the culture of the group. Students are gaining confidence and are excited about all the fun opportunities offered in Band! Our year started off with four JFHMS Band members marching as full time members in the BHS Marching Band for the competitive season. In early October 8th grade Band members (along with many 7th graders) performed with the BHS Marching Band at the annual Side by Side event at a BHS Varsity football game. During October, many JFH Band members auditioned and were selected for the cast/crew of the JFHMS spring musical production of “Alice in Wonderland Jr.” We ended October with the 7th/8th Concert Band members performing at JMU’s “Jazz in the Middle” event, and the selection of eighteen JFH students as 25-26 City-County Honors Band members or alternates. November highlights include performing two Veteran’s Day assemblies, in the morning at JFHMS and in the afternoon at Lacey Spring Elementary. We are also preparing for the upcoming All District Band auditions. December also offers several performance opportunities (see above for details) including the Broadway Tree Lighting, Booster Gift Wrap fundraiser and Caroling at the Mall, and the JFH Band Holiday Concert.
From Kim Mumbauer–The BHS Choirs have already participated in several events this year with a full holiday season to come! In early September, many joined hundreds of other high school and college students to perform at the Bridgwater College Choral Festival. Most recently, seventeen students were selected by audition to be representatives or alternates for the District V All District Choir event which will be held in January. Two seniors are also travelling to Norfolk for the VMEA Senior Honor Choir event November 20-22, after being selected by rigorous audition to represent by BHS and RCPS! December holds many events for the BHS Choirs, including the Broadway Tree Lighting on December 3, a winter concert on December 11th, elementary school caroling on December 12th, Caroling in the Caverns at Melrose Caverns on the 17th, and school assemblies on the 19th. We look forward to making great music and serving our community!
From Georgia Orfanides—The JFHMS Choirs have been hard at work and have an exciting line up of events in December! On November 11th, our combined 6th, 7th and 8th grade choirs performed with the JFHMS Band for the Veterans Day assemblies at both JFHMS and Lacey Spring ES. Our 7/8 Choir then performed at the RCPS All County Choir event at ERHS on November 12th. These students represented our school and Choral program well during the all day rehearsal and throughout the performance at 6:00pm! We had eight students selected by audition to represent JFHMS at the District V Middle School All District Choir event, which will be held in February. December will be a busy time full of Winter and Holiday events as listed above! You can catch the JFH Choir at the Broadway Tree Lighting on December 3, and at our Choir/Theatre Winter concert on December 16th in the JFHMS auditorium at 7:00pm. We will also be caroling at the elementary schools during the school day on December 12th, with the BHS choirs.
Mark your calendars to join us in celebrating Holiday Cheer!
Dec 3 Broadway Tree Lighting 6:30 pm Heritage Park, Turner Ave
Dec 6 Harrisonburg Christmas Parade 7:00 pm Downtown Harrisonburg
Dec 10 JFH Band Holiday Concert 7:00 pm JFHMS auditorium
Dec 11 BHS Choir Holiday Concert 7:00 pm BHS auditorium
Dec 13 Band Caroling & gift wrapping! 10am-5pm Belk court at Valley Mall
Dec 14 Broadway Christmas Parade 2:00 pm Downtown Broadway
Dec 15 Tri M Coffee House 7:00pm BHS Band room
Dec 16 JFH Choir/Theatre Winter Concert 7:00 pm JFHMS auditorium
Dec 17 BHS Choirs Caroling fundraiser 7:00 pm Melrose Caverns
Dec 18 BHS Band Holiday Concert 7:00 pm BHS auditorium
