JMU’s music program brings high demand, heavy workload

By EVAN MOODY & MORGAN BLAIR The Breeze

It’s the “Juilliard of the South,” as Jessica Haddock said her voice teacher calls it.

JMU’s School of Music (SOM) is nationally recognized for its prestige as part of the National Association of Schools of Music (NASM). The program also provides state-of-the-art music facilities such as the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts and Steinway pianos across campus, according to the JMU Music Facilities website.

The school, however, is said to be ultra-competitive in its admissions and requires abundant credits for graduation. It all starts with the audition process.

The process of admittance into the School of Music is to be expected for a program of its caliber, Haddock, a junior music education major, said. All applicants, including students studying music industry, must audition with an instrument and musical portfolio.

“It’s not for everybody,” Haddock said. Haddock’s in the music education concentration, the largest in the School of Music. She said the influence of JMU music education graduates has always been present.

see MUSIC, page 10