Members of the Minuteman Band and dozens of band alumni gathered at the recently-renovated Old Chapel to hear band alumna and assistant director of the band Christine (McHugh) Sirard ’90 share her thoughts and memories of the man whose name is on the building they call home.
The Minuteman Band is now in its 6th season without George Parks, who died suddenly on September 16, 2010. There is just one member in the band who experienced George Parks’ lessons directly – as a high schooler at the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy. While there have been previous remembrances, Chris Sirard was struck by the lack of understanding of who GNP was by some younger members of the band. “Who is this man whose name is on our building,” some would ask.
His legacy is strong and continues to shape the Minuteman Marching Band. Here are Chris’ remembrances of her time knowing George Parks.
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