Photographs

Scope and content:

Series 3: Photographs, 1975-2016, consists of photographic material of or relating to the Marching Royal Dukes, its members, and administrative team. The photographs document performances, practices, and out-of-class experiences of MRD members. The bulk of the photographs primarily document the Pat Rooney years of the band, 1982-2007. There is, however, a folder documenting a small amount of pre-1982 material and folders lightly documenting post-2007. Also included in the series are four folders of loose negatives that were unpaired with developed photographs during processing dating 1980-1999 and undated. There also exists in the series a group of four folders of photographic slides dating 1981, 1985, 1987, and undated.

The majority of the images represent the band during pre-season band camp, performances, and practice sessions, both candid and posed. Several folders have full-field photographs of drill formations and practice blocks. An example of nearly set-by-set drill photographs is housed in the 1992 folders in the form of proofs by Jolesch Photography when the MRDs performed at an Indianapolis Colts game in the RCA Dome.

There are instances of instrumentation section photographs representing the flute/piccolo, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, tuba, trombone, baritone, mellophone, and percussion sections as well as the JMU Dukettes, Color Guard, and Drum Majors. While there are scattered examples of such group photographs throughout the series, the most complete and comprehensive selection of section photographs is stored in the 1990 and 1992 folders. Such photographs represent the individual members, often in uniform. Because of this, the series well-documents changes in membership numbers, uniform styles, and instrumentation over time.

MRD trips and events such as the Bands of Americas Grand National Championship (1988), the Sudler Award (1994), Monaco (1997/1998), Rome (2014), Macy's Parades (2001, 2008, and 2013), Dublin (2004), and the annual Parade of Champions are documented in dated and undated folders. The event photographs include in the undated section are Parade of Champions photographs or performances in unconfirmed locations and/or times not in normal MRD venues of performance.

Another well-documented subject in the series is the JMU Summer Band Camp, an annual summer event in which MRD members volunteered to instruct various marching methods and procedures to high school students. This event was thoroughly photographed in 1986, 1987, and 1988 consisting of hundreds of photographs.

The Undated folders represent 22 folders and roughly half of material of the series. These photographs have been arranged in folders by physical size for ease of access and visibility. The content of the images ranges from performance, candid practice, and out-of-class candid. Performance and practice photographs represent drill formations and members learning new material on the field, representing the program in a professional setting. The candid photographs are more casual and represent individuals more accurately. Some examples of candid photographs include photographs of staff members such as Pat Rooney running rehearsal or speaking to members, Halloween practices in which band members are dressed in costume, and Tau Beta Sigma and Kappa Kappa Psi brothers and sisters relaxing at group events or performing services for the band.

The Slides group of folders within the series shows field photographs of drill formations as well as candid photographs dating 1981, 1985, 1987, and undated.

Each folder of photographic slides houses the slides in their original packaging for ease of storage.

Oversize photographs have been moved to the Oversize series for storage purposes. The majority of these photographs are stored in Map Case 1:2. These photographs include images of Macy's Parade 2001, assorted formations, and Walt Disney All American Marching Band group photographs.

All photographs with confirmed paired negatives are stored in their original envelopes for organizational purposes.

Access and use

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