1969 - Nov 22. First performance of the JMU Pep Band.
The pep band was created by Phi Mu Alpha to support the Basketball Team.
It was staffed by 15 volunteer musicians from the college at large.
(Phi Mu Alpha - chapter Gamma Alpha was also founded this year.)
1972 - Marching Royal Dukes founded as the Madison College Marching Band.
Initial director: Malcolm Harris
- May 4. At the "Annual Honors Day" the Madison Jazz Ensemble introduces
"The Fighting Dukes of Madison," the new fight song written by
Dr. George West.
- June 15. Organization date of the marching band.
- Sept 10. First performance of the Madison College Marching Band.
At this time the concert band and the marching band were the same ensemble.
This was JMU's first football season.
- MCMB performed at UVA game as the halftime band. (Madison College was
not playing UVA in football. UVA had no marching band at the time and
would hire bands to perform their halftime.)
1973 - "Get It On" by Bill Chase was the "new" Concert Feature tune of
the season.
- MCMB performed at UVA as the halftime band. (again)
1974 - Participated in the Apple Blossom Parade
- Jan 12. Performed in Virginia Givernor Mills Godwin's inaugural parade
1977 - Madison College is renamed to James Madison University
- Mike Davis takes over as director.
- The band is expanded and now known as the "Marching Royal Dukes"
1978 - Oct 15. First NFL Halftime: Baltimore Colts vs NY Jets NFL game
- Oct 28. Hosted the American Mideast Regional Championships of Bands of
America
- Nov 15. First recording produced.
- Dec 3. Performed at the Redskins vs Dolphins NFL game
1979 - Kappa Kappa Psi chapter (Eta Omicron) started by 17 MRD members.
(Installation completed November 9, 1980)
1980 - Performed at the Steelers vs Browns NFL game in Pittsburgh.
1982 - Dr. Pat Rooney takes over as director.
- Sep 17. Band performs at UVA.
- Jan 22, 1983. Performed at the Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys
NFC championship NFL game halftime show.
1983 - The MRDs began recording annually.
1984 - MRD members, as part of the All-American College Band, perform for
the Los Angeles Summer Olympics.
- MRD members formed the official Washington Federals Pep Band in the USFL
- Sep 18. "Welcome Home" event for Virginia Olympians
1985 - Jan 20. MRD members, as part of the All-American College Band, perform for
President Regan's inaugural.
- Disney Store opening in NOVA (?)
1986 - MRD members, as part of the All-American College Band, perform at several
events in NYC as part of the Statue of Liberty's 100th Anniversary and
re-dedication.
1987 - MRD concert performance on Capitol Hill. (Originally scheduled as a
Redskins game, the NFL was on strike.)
- MRD members, as part of the All-American College Band, perform in
the tournament of Roses parade in Pasadena, CA.
- March. Tau Beta Sigma chapter (Eta Rho) founded.
1988 - Nov 12. Featured at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
Performance at the Pontiac Silverdome.
- First CD recording.
1991 - Nov 16. Featured at the Bands of America Grand National Championships.
Performance at the Indianapolis Hoosier Dome
1992 - Performed at the Washington Redskins vs Atlanta Falcons NFL game.
JMU alum Gary Clark ran by high fiving the whole band after
scoring a touchdown.
1994 - Received the Sudler Tropy. National coverage in USA Today.
1995 - Oct 1. Performed at the Washington Redskins vs Dallas Cowboys NFL game.
1996 - MRD website started. First music website for all of JMU
1997 - Jan 20. Performed in President Clinton's inaugural parade.
- First european tour. Performed at the palace in Monaco for the closing
ceremonies of the 700th anniversary of the Grimaldi family. Also,
performances in Cannes, France and Genoa, Italy.
2000 - Second European Tour. Performed at a New Years Celebration in Athens,
Greece, before an audience of more than 500,000
2001 - Jan 20. Performed in President G.W. Bush's inaugural parade.
- Nov 22. Performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2002 - Performed at Virginia Gov. Mark Warners inaugural ceremonies.
2003 - Third European tour. Featured band for New Years celebration in
Dublin, Ireland and visited Heidelberg, Germany
2004 - Performed at the NCAA Division I-AA National Championship game in
Chattanooga, Tennessee
2006 - Performed at Governor Tim Kaine's inaugural ceremonies
2006 - Fourth European tour. Featured at the New Year's celebration in
Dublin, Ireland.
2007 - Scott Rikkers takes over as director
2008 - Nov 27. Performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2010 - London tour.
2011 - The last recording produced of the MRDs
2012 - Largest size ever fielded by the MRDs: 497
- New uniforms
2013 - Nov 28. Performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
2014 - Terry McAuliffe's Governor's Inaugural Parade. (?)
2018 - Nov 22. Performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade