 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (September 2010) |
| Minuteman Marching Band | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Nickname | The Power and Class of New England |
| School | University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Location | Amherst, MA |
| Founded | 1873 |
| Director | Timothy Todd Anderson |
| Associate Director | Ian Hale |
| Assistant Director | Chris Sirard |
| Members | 415+ |
| Practice field | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| Fight song | "Fight Mass" |
| Website | umass |
The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst known for its drum corps style and nationally renowned percussion section. The Minuteman Band is also known for its use of dance routines, vocalists, electronics, and overall showmanship.
The Minuteman Band plays halftime and post-game shows at all home football games and a variety of away games, parades, and exhibitions each season. The band has performed internationally in Canada and Ireland, at Ronald Reagan's and George W. Bush's inaugurations, the Macy's Thanksgiving Parade,[1] and the Rose Parade.[2] The Minuteman Band has also given five exhibition performances at the annual Bands of America Grand National Championships and performed at 15 pro football games.[3] The band has performed at the annual Collegiate Marching Band Festival in Allentown, Pennsylvania since the festival's inception in 1995 to 2019.
The UMass Band ethos was captured in the 1994 documentary "Building Power and Class", broadcast on PBS affiliates in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.[4] In 1998, the Minuteman Marching Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a collegiate marching band.[5] In 2003, band alumna and former drum major Kerstin Becker published "Through These Doors," a coffee-table size book chronicling the history of the Minuteman Band.[6]
The band was directed by George N. Parks from 1977 until his sudden death in September 2010;[7] prompting Assistant Director Thom Hannum to be named interim director, assisted by Michael Klesch. Timothy Todd Anderson was named director of the band in 2011.[8]
In 2011, the George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building was completed, giving the band its first home since the Old Chapel was closed in 1997.[9]
- ^ "Minuteman Marching Band Will Perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade on Nov. 28 | Office of News & Media Relations | UMass Amherst". Archived from the original on 2020-06-25. Retrieved 2018-09-30.
- ^ "UMass Minuteman Marching Band to Perform in 2018 Tournament of Roses Parade | Office of News & Media Relations | UMass Amherst". Archived from the original on 2016-10-30. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
- ^ "UMass Band performs halftime of Pats home opener". 22 August 2018.
- ^ "Building Power & Class".
- ^ "UMass Amherst Marching Band Awarded 1998 Louis C. Sudler Trophy, Top Award in the Nation | Office of News & Media Relations | UMass Amherst". Archived from the original on 2016-08-24. Retrieved 2017-06-08.
- ^ "About the UMass Band Alumni Association".
- ^ "Band director George N. Parks dies after band performance".
- ^ "UMass Amherst Selects Timothy T. Anderson as New Director of the Minuteman Marching Band". University of Massachusetts Amherst Office of News and Media Relations. 2011. Retrieved 10 May 2011.
- ^ "Campus officially opens George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building".