University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
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| Minuteman Marching Band | |
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| School | University of Massachusetts Amherst |
| Location | Amherst, MA |
| Conference | Colonial Athletic Association |
| Founded | 1935 |
| Director | George N. Parks |
| Members | 380 (incl. apx. 45 auxiliary) |
| Uniform | White with maroon sash, black pants, maroon shako, (Guard: Red glittered top, black pants, tan fingerless gloves.) |
The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band (UMMB) is the marching band for the University of Massachusetts Amherst. The band currently has about 380 members and is directed by George N. Parks and assisted by Thomas P. Hannum and Frederick Omega Pye. 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 and 2007. In 1998, the Minuteman Marching Band was awarded the prestigious Sudler Trophy.
In recent years, The Minuteman Band has performed hits from Elton John and Earth, Wind, and Fire as well as songs from West Side Story and the movie Troy. A new tradition, UMass Night at the Pops, features the UMMB alongside the Boston Pops orchestra at Symphony Hall. This event is an annual celebration of all things UMass, though the UMMB does not always attend.
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[edit] History
The Minuteman Marching Band, commonly referred to as the "Power and Class of New England", started off small when first formed in 1935. In 1938, the band had its most successful season by playing at all home games and an away game versus the Coast Guard Academy. With World War II soon after, all bands at the university were disbanded from March of 1943 until September of 1945 because many of the members served in the Armed Forces. After the war, the band remained small but since 1950 there has been steady growth. The band's named changed from the Redman Band to the Minuteman Band in the 1970s under the leadership of Professor John Jenkins. 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 have long been praised. Until 1998, the band was housed in Old Chapel on campus. Since then the band has been dispersed about the campus, though recently the campus has dedicated $4.5 million to a new building. The band is currently collecting donations to fulfill the remainder of the costs for an adequate building at $8 million. Today, the band is about 380 members and constantly growing.
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[edit] Traditional Songs
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Please help improve this section by expanding it with: complete list of songs and descriptions. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
The UMMB changes it's show every year but keeps a certain set of songs for pre-game and tradition sake.
- "Fight Mass" - the UMass fight song. This song is played during the pre-game, half-time, and post-game shows as well as after every touchdown.
- "Roll Down the Field" - The lyrics and title have changed to "Cheer for UMass" in 2003 but the music stayed the same.
- "Twilight Shadows" - The Alma Mater
- "My Way" - A band tradition is to play this song after every post-game show.
[edit] Seasons
[edit] 2007 Season
This season'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, PA, all home UMass Football games, and the National Bands of America in Indianapolis.
[edit] 2006 Season
The Minuteman Band's main show for 2006 contained music from Henry V and 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, TN at the NCAA National Championship game vs. Appalachian State University.
[edit] 2005 Season
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.
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
[edit] 2004 Season
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.
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
[edit] 2003 Season
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.
[edit] 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, euphoniums, and sousaphones instead of tubas. The Minuteman Band, like many marching bands, has a strong section of sousaphones, and each season there are over a dozen of them.
In addition to the instrumentation on the field, the band has keyboards, marimba, electric guitar and bass as well as various singers. The band does not require instrument audition for its members however some instruments like the piccolo, guitar, bass, and vocals require an audition which is open to any band member.
[edit] Colorguard
Also there is a large section called the colorguard, who are known for their excellence in spinning flags, rifles, and sabres. In the 2006 season there were over 40 members of the colorguard section.
The colorguard accompany the band on the field during the performance but they are not constrained to marching like the rest of the band. Like most marching bands, the UMass colorguard follow sets and often switch between different flags, rifles, and sabres during the performance based on the music being played.
[edit] Percussion
The Minuteman Band's percussion section is strongly regarded as one of the best in the nation. Sponsored by major percussive manufacturers such as Vic Firth, Pearl Drums, Zildjian Cymbals, and Evans Drumheads, the UMass Drumline has built a national reputation for their dedication, skill, and hard work that is paralleled by few others in the nation. The standard of excellence is ever growing, as peaking interests in the ensemble have caused tremendous response in program participation. The percussion section is instructed by DCI Hall of Famer Thomas P. Hannum. Thom is best known for his work in Drum Corps International, as well as being an excellent clinician and author of percussive technique books. The UMass Drumline is also known well for many of its alumni, which have branched out into many teaching and writing opportunities in percussive arts throughout the nation, as best noted in an article written for DCI.org. A full listing of alumni can be found here. --Egirouar (talk) 07:57, 26 May 2008 (UTC)
[edit] Style
Most people would regard the Minuteman Band's style as that of a corps style, forming precise drill sets and shapes. The band moves from set to set using a "roll step" or "glide step" and members stay in the form while in motion. However, The Minuteman Band tends to mix in some free form or scramble band techniques with more the traditional marching styles. Usually, for the main show theme, traditional marching band styles will be used and then there will be some songs that are looser and less rigid and members are frequently encouraged to have fun to excite the audience during these tunes. The band's use of amplification with electric guitars and other percussion often gives the band the reputation as a non-traditional marching band.
[edit] External links
- The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
- The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band photos page
- The UMass Drumline Website
- Minuteman Band Alumni Association
| Preceded by West Virginia |
Sudler Trophy Recipient 1998 |
Succeeded by Texas Tech |
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