University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band

Minuteman Marching Band
School University of Massachusetts Amherst
Location Amherst, MA
Conference Independent
Founded 1878
Director Dr. Timothy Anderson
Associate director Thom Hannum
Members 400
Fight song "Fight Mass"
Uniform White with maroon sash, black pants and gloves, maroon shako, (Guard: Collared tops with Light gold pattern, dark gold, and maroon from top to bottom, black pants, tan fingerless gloves.)
Website umass.edu/band

The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The band was directed by George N. Parks from 1977 until his sudden death in September 2010; prompting Assistant Director Thom Hannum to be named interim director, assisted by Michael Klesch and Frederick Omega Pye. In 2011 former Chancellor Robert C. Holub announced the appointment of Timothy Todd Anderson as director of the band.[1]

The Minuteman Band plays halftime and post-game shows at all home football games and frequently travels to away games. The band has also performed at Bands of America in 1993, 2001, 2004, 2007 and 2011. In 1998, the Minuteman Marching Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy, the highest honor that can be bestowed upon a collegiate marching band. In 2013, the band completed yet another milestone, marching through the streets of New York City and into Herald Square for the 87th Annual Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.[2]

In the fall of 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.

History

The Morris Drum Corps in 1881
Old Chapel, home of the band for many years

The band program at University of Massachusetts Amherst started in 1863 when the University was known as the Massachusetts Agricultural College. The Morris Drum Corps, as it was known, was the first resemblance of a marching band at the school, and it was directed by First Lieutenant Charles Morris of the 5th Army Artillery.[3]

In the 1890s, the band was renamed the Clark Memorial Cadet Band after former college president William S. Clark. At the close of the century the band's instrumentation expanded, but the musicians consisted only of military cadets.

In 1931, the Massachusetts Agricultural College, or "Aggie", became the Massachusetts State College. Soon after, in 1934, the College hired its first music instructor, Frank Stratton. A year later, Massachusetts Agricultural College started to organize a formal band program, and appointed its first non-military band instructor, Charles Farnum. The newly created band became known as the "Redmen Marching Band". In 1938, the band had its most successful season to date by playing at all home games and an away game versus the United States Coast Guard Academy. During World War II, all bands at the University were disbanded from March 1943 until September 1945 because many of the members served in the military.

After the war, the band remained small, so the director set out to create a female "drill team" to augment the band. In 1946, this team expanded to a size of 44. This drill team was given the name of the "Precisionettes" in 1952.

In 1947 the Massachusetts State College became the University of Massachusetts. The band's name changed from the Redmen Marching Band to the Minuteman Marching Band in the 1970s under the leadership of Professor John Jenkins. Jenkins brought a new style of marching, high step rapid rhythm (thighs parallel to the ground) to UMass from the University of Michigan, and composer Jerry Bilik. While Jenkins led the band it played at a New England Patriots game as guests of the Patriots. In 1977, George N. Parks was hired to direct the band. Parks brought the roll-step marching style and fostered the reputation that the band has today. His unique styles and intensity were widely praised.

Until 1998, the band was housed in Old Chapel on campus. Since then the band has been dispersed about the campus, though in 2009 the campus dedicated $4.5 million to a new building. Groundbreaking for the new building, adjacent to the band's current storage building in Grinnell Arena, was held on October 17, 2009. The University announced that it would be named the George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building.

In 2010, George Parks suffered a heart attack while traveling with the band to the University of Michigan. Associate director Thom Hannum was named interim director.[4] In 2011, Timothy Todd Anderson was named permanent Director and Professor Hannum resumed his role as Assistant Director. Christine McHugh Sirard was named a second Assistant Director in 2015.

Minuteman Band Hall of Fame

Many former band members and other figures have been elected to the Minuteman Band Hall of Fame by its alumni association since 1993.[5] Induction years listed in parentheses.

  • Walter Chesnut (2016)
  • Sally Johnson (2016)
  • Jamin Carroll (2016)
  • John Leonard (2014)
  • Rob Hammerton (2013)
  • Jason DeGroff (2012)
  • Doric Alviani (2011)
  • UMass Amherst Alumni Association (2011)
  • Linda Hannum (2009)
  • Colin McNutt (2009)
  • Brian Carroll (2006)
  • Gerry Grady (2005)
  • Jim MacRostie (2005)
  • Dave Hautanen (2002)
  • Michael Klesch (1999)
  • Heidi Sarver (1997)
  • Bob Bertram (1996)
  • Thom Hannum (1996)
  • Joe Contino (1995)
  • John Jenkins (1994)
  • George Parks (1993)

Band member life

Directors

Parks, in 2003

A list of the band directors of the UMMB:[6]

Instrumentation

The Minuteman Band comprises typical marching band instruments: mellophones instead of French horns, alto and tenor saxophones, flutes, piccolos (audition only), clarinets, trumpets, trombones, marching baritone horns, and sousaphones instead of tubas.

In addition to the instrumentation on the field, the band has keyboards, marimba, electric guitar and bass as well as various singers. The wind and guard sections of the band do not require auditions for their members, however some instruments like the piccolo, guitar, bass, and vocals require an audition which is open to any band member. The drumline and front ensemble are auditioned.

Style

The Minuteman Band's style is that of a drum corps, forming precise drill sets and shapes. However, The UMMB is known for its "dance-like moves" and tends to mix them in with the more traditional marching styles. The main show theme usually includes traditional marching band styles with some songs that are looser and less rigid. The band's use of amplification with electric guitars and other percussion often gives the band the reputation as a non-traditional marching band.

Colorguard

2The UMMB colorguard during the 2006 season

There is a large colorguard section known for its excellence in spinning flags, rifles, and sabres. The guard also has a baton twirling section. In the 2006 season there were over 40 members of the colorguard.

The colorguard accompanies the band on the field during the performance but is not constrained to marching like the rest of the band. As in most marching bands, the UMass colorguard follows sets and often switches between different flags, rifles, and sabres during the performance depending on the music being played.

Percussion

The UMass Drumline

The Minuteman Marching Band's percussion section is widely considered to be one of the best in the nation. The UMass Drumline has helped to build a national reputation for their dedication, skill, and hard work that is paralleled by few others in the nation. The percussion section is instructed by DCI Hall of Famer Thom Hannum. Hannum is best known for his work in Drum Corps International, as well as being a clinician and author of percussive technique books. The UMass Drumline is also known for many of its alumni who have branched out into many teaching and writing opportunities in percussive arts throughout the nation.[7]

Seasons

2003-2007

The 2003 Season show consisted of a mix of songs with no clearly set theme. It has sometimes been called "Hot Jazz". Among the songs were "Birdland", "El Boro", "Legend of the One Eyed Sailor", "Get it On", and Gloria Estefan's "Oye Tu Conga". The pit was featured on a version of Radiohead's "Paranoid Android". The band went to Delaware, Allentown, MICCA Regionals in Bridgeport, CT., and to a post-season game at Colgate.

The 2004 Season show consisted of music from the musical West Side Story and songs written by Elton John. Notable performances included the Bands of America Grand Nationals at the RCA Dome in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The 2005 season consisted of music from the movie Troy and the band Earth, Wind, and Fire. Among the notable performances during this season, the band played at the football game between UMass and the United States Army at West Point. During this performance, the band played Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" in honor of the armed forces.

The mellophone section during a half-time show in 2006

The Minuteman Band's main show for 2006 contained music from Henry V and the band Chicago. Performances included the UMass football games against the US Navy and the Canadian national football league playoff game in Montreal. The band's normal season was extended because UMass's football team made the playoffs. The band played their final halftime show of the 2006 post season in Chattanooga, Tennessee at the NCAA National Championship game vs. Appalachian State University.

2007's show included Russian Christmas Music, "Rhapsody in Blue", and three hits by Gloria Estefan including "Anything for You", "Oye tu Conga" and "Get on your Feet".

In 2007, the Band performed in Allentown, Pennsylvania, all home UMass Football games, and the National Bands of America in Indianapolis.

2008-2012

The 2008 show contained the fifth movement of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, an abridged version of Billy Joel's "And So It Goes", Dave Weckl's "Tiempo de Festival" (performed as the percussion feature), and a medley of Stevie Wonder songs ("Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing", "For Once In My Life", and "Fingertips"). "Mon Homme" (known by its English title "My Man") and "Stars and Stripes Forever" were arranged for the season's performance with University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hen Marching Band, and a medley of patriotic songs was performed during the final two home football games. The final home football game also featured a performance of "Malagueña".

Performance locations in 2008 included Allentown, PA, Faneuil Hall, the West Boyleston Parade and Field Show, and the MICCA High School Marching Band Championships. The band performed at all home football games, as well as two away games at College of the Holy Cross and Northeastern University.

Band Day, in 2009

The fall 2009 show featured music from the Disney Motion Picture Pirates of the Caribbean. Selections included "Jack Sparrow", "The Kraken", "Davy Jones" and "He's a Pirate". Other featured selections included "Swing Street" By Barry Manilow and Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture". The percussion section headlined "Won't You Come Home, Bill Bailey". The show was debuted on September 12, 2009 at halftime of the Albany game. During band camp, the band recorded a music video with the group Stephen Kellogg and the Sixers for their newest song at the time "Shady Esperanto and the Young Hearts". The group choose to use the Marching Band in the video because several members of the Sixers are Alumni of the university and the marching band.

The fall 2010 show featured music from the motion picture The Wind and the Lion as well as a medly Madonna songs. The selection from the movie included "The Wind and The Lion". Other music included "Canto Del Viento", the percussion feature "Oye Tu Conga", and Madonna's "Like a Prayer". Later shows in the season added arrangements of I'll Be There by The Jackson 5 and When the Saints Go Marching In. Parts of the show were debuted on September 4, 2010 at halftime of the William and Mary game. The fall 2010 season included performances in Allentown and a game at the University of Michigan.

On September 16, 2010 while in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, George N. Parks suffered a fatal heart attack after the band's performance for the local high school and opposing team's band.[8][9] The band played for the high schoolers as a "thank you" for being allowed to use their facilities during a stopover on the Michigan trip. The band decided to go ahead to Michigan, and performed to great success in front of 110,187 people, the largest audience in the band's history. When the band returned to Cuyahoga Falls on their way home, the town provided a banquet when the band arrived, and a police escort when they departed the next day.

Two weeks after Michigan, the band performed in Allentown. The following week, for Homecoming, the school held a two-hour tribute in the Mullins Center for Parks before that days football game. For halftime, an alumni band composed of almost 1,000 past members performed first a tune, and then a combined performance with current members of the band. In all, almost 1,300 members past and present were on the field for this performance. The next week the band attended an away game versus the University of New Hampshire at Gillette Stadium for the Colonial Clash. The band performed at MICCA Finals in Lowell, MA the day after.

The twenty-sixth annual Band Day occurred two weeks later. Almost three thousand students from elementary through high school were in attendance. The next week, the band performed their field show for the last time for Senior Day.

2012 Honor Guard members at 2013 commencement ceremonies

The 2011 season opened on September 17 during a home game. The first song in the show was an adaptation of Dreams of a Witches' Sabbath, written by Hector Berlioz in 1830. The next song was You Can't Stop the Beat, from the musical Hairspray. The next song was the 1812 Overture, and this is followed by Big Noise from Winnetka. On Saturday November 5, 2011 homecoming, the George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building was dedicated. On November 12 the band performed at Lucas Oil Stadium[10] for Bands of America Grand Nationals[11] in Indianapolis, Indiana. On Saturday November 19, 2011 the band performed their field show for the last time for Senior Day.

The 2012 season featured games against the University of Connecticut, Indiana University, and other schools in the Mid-American Conference. Songs played by the band included a selection from Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, Boogie Wonderland by Earth Wind and Fire, Jai Ho, and All Night Long by Lionel Richie. Band Day was held on November 17 with music from The Lion King and Senior Day was held on November 23.

2013-

On April 3, 2011, it was announced in front of an audience at the George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building that the band would be performing at the 2013 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, a first for the band.[12]

In the 2013 season, the band's show music consisted of music by Phil Collins, the classic jazz piece Malaguena, Age of Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In from the musical Hair, and Bandstand Boogie.

In the 2014 season, the band's show music consisted of "In The Stone", "September (Earth, Wind & Fire song)", and "Let's Groove" by Earth, Wind, and Fire, "Bohemian Rhapsody", and "Spain (instrumental)". The band also put together a special show for the football game on Veteran's Day. The show, called "The Defense of Fort McHenry", featured many traditional American and British songs, such as "Yankee Doodle" and "Rule, Britannia!", and ended with an excerpt from "Stars and Stripes Forever". The band traveled to Penn State for the first time. They played at the Penn State Blue Band's version of Band Day, and at the UMass v. Penn State football game that immediately followed. Band Day was held on October 18 and had music from Up (2009 film), "The Incredibles", and "Toy Story". Senior Day was held on November 28.

Songs

The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band during a pre-game show in 2006 for Band Day

The UMMB incorporates a pre-game show at all home football games in which several traditional songs are always played and the band marches into its traditional "M" formation. The Minuteman Band always features a Colonial Honor Guard made up of band members during the pre-game show. They march onto the field to the theme from "The Patriot" for the National Anthem. There is also a post-game "5th quarter" show at all football games in which the band's normal show is performed again. The band always closes its shows with Frank Sinatra's "My Way".

The Traditional Songs:

"Patriot", the theme from the movie The Patriot, was last played in 2010.

References

  1. ↑ "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.
  2. ↑ https://www.umass.edu/band/about
  3. ↑ Becker, Kerstin H. (2004). Through These Doors: The History of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, 1863-2003 (1st ed.). Amherst, Mass.: Old Chapel Press. p. 1. ISBN 0974755303.
  4. ↑ "George Parks, late UMass band director, was en route to 'a pinnacle' performance at Michigan Stadium". masslive.com. 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-22.
  5. ↑ "Hall of Fame". UMass Marching Band Alumni.
  6. ↑ "Past Directors". Archived from the original on 10 March 2012.
  7. ↑ "Drum Corps International".
  8. ↑ "George N. Parks, UMass band director, dies after performance in Ohio". masslive.com. 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  9. ↑ "University band director dies after Falls game". Akron Beacon Journal. 2010-09-17. Retrieved 2010-09-18.
  10. ↑ "Lucas Oil Stadium".
  11. ↑ http://www.musicforall.org/what-we-do/marching/grand-national-championships/2011-bands-of-america-grand-national-championships
  12. ↑ Blaguszewski, Ed (3 April 2012). "UMass Amherst Minuteman Marching Band Chosen to Perform in Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in 2013". Amherst, Massachusetts: The Office of News & Media Relations, University of Massachusetts Amherst. Retrieved 3 April 2012.
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