The Minuteman Marching Band community set its most ambitious UMass Gives goal ever in 2026: raise $30,000 to support instrument purchases and repairs. In just two days, band alumni, parents, students, and friends exceeded that…
Minuteman Marching Band Feature Twirler Lea Mitchell has been crowned College Miss Majorette of Massachusetts, earning one of the highest honors in the state’s competitive baton twirling community. A senior Public Health Sciences major, Mitchell…
If you needed another excuse to hear Thom Hannum talk percussion, this is it. Thom is UMass Drumline alum Damon Grant’s latest guest on Discussions in Percussion (Episode 467), where he reflects on his career,…
When Steve Weiss featured the UMass Drumline’s performance of Dave Weckl’s Dis’ Place This, it brought national attention to one of collegiate marching percussion’s most accomplished programs. The performance showcases the musical excellence and tradition that continue to define UMass percussion.
On July 3, 2025, Bryan “Deeb” Hilliard suffered a fatal heart attack while doing what he loved most: playing the trumpet. For those who knew him through the Minuteman Marching Band, there is perhaps no…
Pearl Corporation is excited to announce the addition of legendary marching percussion educator, Thom Hannum, as Director of Education. As one of the most respected voices in the world of marching percussion, Thom brings decades…
A new documentary traces the journey of “Eyes With Pride” from its origins with George N. Parks at UMass to one of the nation’s premier high school marching band programs. The film explores how a simple teaching tradition became a lasting part of the marching arts experience for generations of students.
Former UMMB graduate assistant Megan Cooney was recently featured on Band Director Boot Camp (Season 4, Episode 17), where she shared insights from her unique experience building collegiate marching band programs from the ground up.…