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Traditions

The traditions of the UMMB are more than rituals—they’re the shared experiences that connect generations of bandos. Discover the customs and stories that continue to shape the band’s identity.

Some traditions begin with grand plans. Others begin almost by accident. What began as a bet became a symbol of determination, carried forward by generations of band members—one pair of shorts at a time.

At UMass, “Eyes With Pride” was never just about posture. It was a reminder that every member of the band carried a responsibility—to themselves, to those beside them, and to a tradition larger than any one season.

Named in honor of UMMB Associate Director Ian Hale, the healthy male falcon (band number 73/BZ) was officially banded by MassWildlife atop the W.E.B. Du Bois Library at UMass Amherst in 2024 as part of an ongoing conservation effort to monitor and protect Massachusetts’ peregrine falcon population.

It began as a simple warm-up. For nearly fifty years, My Way has become the emotional heartbeat of the Minuteman Marching Band.

Ask any band alum about Chapel, and you’ll likely hear the same thing: it wasn’t just a building—it was home. For generations of bandos, these historic halls shaped lifelong friendships, unforgettable traditions, and memories that have endured long after their final rehearsal.

For decades, the UMMB has quietly helped shape the activity through its directors, instructors, alumni, and innovations. From drum majors and percussion educators to Broadway productions and championship drum corps, the fingerprints of the UMMB can be found throughout the marching arts.

Lyrics, and some history to the University’s best-known songs.

UMass was a pioneer in the evolution of collegiate marching bands in many ways, including the early inclusion of women. The band appointed its first female drum majors in 1937, welcomed its first women musicians in 1942, and established the Precisionettes, an elite drill team, in 1946. The Precisionettes remained a celebrated part of the band until 1970.

Over the years, the UMMB has enjoyed longstanding partnerships with the UMass Cheerleaders and the UMass Dance Team. In 2024, the Dance Team joined the UMMB in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, performing UMass alumna Natalie Cole’s “This Will Be (An Everlasting Love)” before a national television audience.