James Madison University’s nationally recognized marching band, the Marching Royal Dukes, began its season with 485 members, the largest in their history, including three from Falls Church.

Freshman Alissa Forbes is majoring in music education and plays in the flute section. Sophomore Jessica Linton is majoring in music education and plays in the sax section. Junior Rob van Wijngaarden is majoring in computer information systems and plays in the trumpet section.

On tap for this season are performances at Montpelier, the estate of James Madison, and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City.