When Steve Weiss shares a performance, the percussion world notices.
For more than six decades, Weiss has been one of the most respected figures in percussion education and performance, helping connect generations of musicians, educators, and ensembles. His influence extends far beyond any one organization, making his recent feature of the UMass Drumline especially meaningful.
The performance showcases the UMass Drumline’s 2025 percussion feature, Dis’ Place This, from Dave Weckl’s acclaimed album Hard Wired.
The selection is a fitting vehicle for a program long recognized as one of the premier collegiate marching percussion ensembles in the country. Combining musical sophistication, technical precision, and relentless energy, the performance reflects a standard of excellence that has defined UMass percussion for generations.
Today, that tradition continues under Associate Director Ian Hale. A graduate of both the University of Calgary and UMass Amherst, Hale studied with renowned educators including Glenn Price, Eduardo Leandro, and Thom Hannum. Before returning to Amherst, he served on faculty at UMass, worked with the Calgary Stampede Showband, and built an impressive reputation as a percussion educator and clinician throughout the United States and Canada.
Under Hale’s leadership, the UMass Drumline continues to push boundaries while honoring a legacy built by generations of performers and instructors.
Recognition from a respected voice like Steve Weiss serves as a reminder that the work happening inside the George N. Parks Minuteman Marching Band Building continues to resonate far beyond Amherst.
Congratulations to Ian Hale, the UMass Drumline, and everyone who continues to carry forward one of the most respected traditions in collegiate marching percussion.