When the UMass Concert Band premiered Other Roads this spring, audiences heard more than a new composition. They witnessed a musical tribute connecting three influential figures in the history of the Minuteman Marching Band.
Written by UMass Music Professor Jeff Holmes, Other Roads was composed to honor the remarkable career and lasting impact of Associate Director Emeritus Thom Hannum. The premiere featured UMMB Associate Director Ian Hale as marimba soloist, creating a performance that celebrated not only Hannum’s contributions to UMass, but also the generations of students and educators influenced by his work.
Hannum arrived at UMass as a graduate teaching assistant in 1980 and joined the band’s staff in 1984. Over the next four decades, he transformed the UMass Drumline into a nationally recognized program while influencing thousands of students and percussionists throughout the marching arts. Beyond UMass, his instructional and arranging credits included the Crossmen, The Cadets, Star of Indiana, Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, Boston Crusaders, BLAST!, and many other renowned organizations.
For Holmes, the piece reflects not only Hannum’s accomplishments but also the musical identity he helped create at UMass. The composition incorporates elements inspired by the UMMB’s percussion traditions, including dynamic contrasts, front ensemble textures, and the energy that has long defined Minuteman performances.
The choice of soloist added another layer of meaning. Hale first met Hannum as a young percussionist in 1994, later marched under him in drum corps, served as the UMass Drumline teaching assistant, and ultimately succeeded his mentor as Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band in 2021.
Reflecting on the opportunity, Hale described performing the work as an honor, noting the significance of playing a piece written by Holmes and dedicated to one of his most important mentors.
In many ways, Other Roads serves as a fitting tribute to Hannum’s enduring influence. Through the music of Jeff Holmes and the performance of Ian Hale, the premiere celebrated not only a distinguished career, but also the legacy of mentorship, excellence, and innovation that continues to shape the UMMB today.
Other Roads is Holmes’ third original piece performed by the Minuteman Band program. The first was Georgassic Parks, performed by the Minuteman Marching Band (with Holmes soloing on trumpet) in 1993. The second was G.P. in memory of George Parks, performed by the Concert Band in 2017.