JMU Nuance Winterguard was founded in 2007, beginning as a single unit and expanding to include two performing groups in 2013. In 2013, Nuance expanded to include two performing groups, originally named JMU Nuance Purple and Gold in honor of the university’s colors.

 

Through continued dedication and competitive success, both groups advanced in classifications, proudly becoming the two teams we know today: JMU Nuance A and JMU Nuance Open.​ JMU Nuance A & Open compete in the Winterguard International (WGI) and Atlantic Indoor Association (AIA) circuits.

 

JMU Nuance Open is a 2011, 2016, 2017, and 2018 WGI World Championships IA Finalist, a 2010, 2013, and 2015 WGI World Championship IA Semi-Finalist, the 2018 WGI World Championships Independent A Class Bronze Medalists, and were promoted to the Independent Open Class for the 2019 season. JMU Nuance Open has since gone on to be 2019 & 2021 WGI World Championship IO Finalists, as well as WGI World Championships IO Semi-Finalists

in 2022, 2023, & 2024. JMU Nuance Open was a 2025 WGI Open Class World Championships 5th-place Finalist. 

 

JMU Nuance A was promoted to the Independent A classification during the 2017 season and competed in their first WGI regional in 2018 where they have been Regional Finalists ever since. Nuance A made their first appearance at WGI World Championships in 2019 and were WGI World Championships Independent A Class Semi-finalists in 2023, 2024, and 2025.