UMass Marching Band Alumni

The National Association for Music Education (NAfME) announced that Peter Boonshaft, Professor of Music and Director of Bands at Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York, is the recipient of the 2011 George N. Parks Award for Leadership in Music Education. He will receive the award at the Bands of America Grand National Championships in Indianapolis on [...]

The UMass Amherst Alumni Association features the band alumni family, the new band building and more in the October 2011 issue of its @UMASS newletter.

Many of you offered personal anecdotes about your favorite shows in the “Name That Tune” contest for the 2011 Alumni Band show at Homecoming. Voting results will be announced soon, but in the meantime, please enjoy these thoughts:

Homecoming 2011 plans are coming together… details still evolving, but here’s what you need-to-know as we gather Nov 4-5 to dedicate the house that George built, to welcome Tim Anderson into the family and to honor Thom Hannum’s 30 years with the Minuteman Band! 

Prior to the summer of 2011, the marching band had no place to call home. But with the help and perseverance of the late George Parks, band members now have their own building, the aptly named George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building. Parks was the director of the marching band for 33 years until [...]

Fun is the only word to describe the inaugural George N. Parks Golf Tournament held August 5th at Hickory Ridge Country Club in Amherst.