UMass Band Director Passes Away

My thoughts and prayers to the family, and to the band members

...what an awful thing for his family and those students. I urge max respect for the UMass visitors in light of this event. I expect nothing less, but there are always a few yahoos.

I'm sure that the MMB is actively scratching for some sort of a tribute.

Never, ever, EVER spend more than an hour at a time in Ohio. See what happens?

Edit: It occurs to me, at least he died doing what he loved. He was on the way wit his band to perform at the biggest stage of his entire life, and he had to be in a good mood. When I go, I hope I can go while waiting in expectation for something so cool, or basking in the afterglow.

There's usually respect among musicians, even on opposite sides of the football field. I'm sure the MMB will pay tribute in some way, (tuba solos? :-)  )

My prayers are with his family and the band.

I always hate it when the students do that to bands or teams, especially the FCS schools, but it would be really bad to boo their band tomorrow.

think of a better place to pay tribute to him than in front of 110,000+ respectful fans.  I am sure that the UMass band (if they keep their schedule and perform in AA) will be very warmly received, and that they will come up with a fitting tribute.

57 is really young. God speed to his family, friends and the UMASS family as a whole. Hopefully, the band still plays and they have a moment a silence prior to the game for him,

Our thoughts and prayers to the family and to the UMass band...what a sad turn of events.

I hope they come and honor his memory by performing.

I NEVER boo the band from another school, even ND, whom I happen to think has a great band.  They make my Big House experience better and in most cases ain't wearing cleats or carrying the football.  Most bands work incredibly hard and do so without getting a ton of recognition.

brings up an interesting thought.

I've always said that I don't care what anyone does with my body when I die. Burn it. Bury it. Dump it in the woods off US-23. Whatever. Don't care. What I DO want though is to have a wake, and at my wake, I want a brass band playing jazzy, upbeat tunes. I lived life for the good moments, dang it, and I don't want anyone crying all over because I'm dead. I want them remembering, reliving and enjoying the good moments.

Hopefully they can put on a stirring rendition of his favorite songs, or something.

This is really sad.  Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends and all UMass.  Wow, only 57.  Life goes by so quick, from one moment to playing for the largest crowd they have ever seen to losing their director, high to lows.  Condolences. 

Terrible news.  My thoughts are with his family.  If the band still comes, the crowd needs to give them the welcome they deserve.

Oh my gosh...George N Parks is a LEGEND in marching bands.  He runs an excellent Drum Major Academy, and was renowned for being not only a great director of bands (and having an excellent marching band), but also just being an all-around awesome guy.

My 60 year old uncle - a huge sports fan - also died unexpectedly this week and I will be unable to watch the game due to handling his affairs.   So in either your pregame warm-ups or in the post game celebrations, please indulge me in asking you to toast both of these individuals.   Go Blue! 

To pass on before performing on his biggest stage ever.   Thoughts go out to his family and the entire band. 

...that death sucks. 

I'm so sorry to hear about this. Fifty-seven is too young. My father died at fifty-eight back in 1980 when I was a junior in college. It's extremely hard to accept.

I honestly didn't know much about the UMass band, and decided to go check out their website after hearing this terrible news.

From the looks of it, Prof. Parks ran one heck of a program.  What an awful, awful loss, and I hope for these kids there's something that can be done so that they can have a nice trip and as good of a remainder of the season as they can.

Ya know, even though this tragedy is indirectly related to the team, it could still provide a lot of additional motivation for the players to play the game of their lives. As in, "Let's win one for Parks..."

Just sayin.'

...I always cheer the opposing band (I had friends in the MMB who always spoke highly of opposing fans who were welcoming), but this week I'll try to give it up for them a little more.  

by Michigan fans when the UConn band was lustily booed. I hope the morons who booed on that occasion either stay away tomorrow or keep their ignorant pie holes shut when the UMass band comes onto the field.

He is quoted as saying during an interview:  

"Many years ago I had a beloved leather jacket... and I never wanted to throw it away. I sent it to the cleaners because it was covered in blood and Guinness and scotch and Corn Flakes, the usual. It went off to the Sycamore Cleaners and it came back with a thing pinned on it:  'It distresses us to return work which is not perfect' - so I want that on my tombstone." 

He was a Big-10 Alum, clearly we would have been looking forward to performing here. Also, the band is still performing this weekend, good for them.

http://www.masslive.com/news/index.ssf/2010/09/george_n_parks_umass_band...

Perhaps as recipients of the first Sudler award, the MMB could honor Mr. Parks and his legacy/band as respected peers and perform the star spangled banner together or UMass' alma mater?

Also, I just hate to hear of a fellow tuba passing away so young.

to all involved, and giant kudos for the Band for going on with the show. 

That is terrible news indeed. I posted something in a diary last night that both my stepkids are in the Cuyahoga Falls marching band and they were treated to a show by the band last night after their football game. They had to play Thursday due to the other team having a religious reason for not playing Friday. They didn't say anything about the band director passing so I have to assume this happened after their show and they got home last night at almost 11pm. This is terrible news and I feel bad it had to happen in our locale. I guess the band was spending the night in the gymnasium at the school last night also which probably made things that much worse. Definite condolences to the family and friends of the band and hope they still come out and honor the director at the game. I know M fans will be respectful and supportive as we always are.

their butts off tomorrow. They are going to let it all hang out, and 110,000 people will stand and cheer them on. 

And 350 members?? They will bring some sound with them. Looking forward to the performance.

OMG that is just awful. I had just read in the other diary about them performing in Ohio. Thanks for posting this.  I hope people hear about this and are respectiful of the band tomorrow. 

Please, MGBloggers, make sure the student section knows.  I'm worried that whatever mention they make won't take place before the UMass band takes the field.

UPDATE: The UMASS band is indeed still performing and will be rehearsing on Elbel field from 2-4 today. Anyone interested in going to catch a sneak peak of their show is more than welcome to attend.

And as always, all are welcome to stay until 4:45 to watch the MMB rehearse.

I, for one, will certainly be there to watch them.

Very sad, I hope that the Michigan fans are classy and give the band a moment of silence and some solid cheers for them after the band is done playing at half time.

They sent out an email asking fans to support the UMass band with a moment of silence tomorrow, very good idea by the Administration.