This blog is dedicated to George Parks, who will be missed by many.
Last night the director of the UMass Amherst Minuteman, George Parks, passed away unexpectedly. He died, at the young age of 57, from a heart attack. George Parks directed the Minuteman for the past 33 years. During this time the UMass band performed at three presidential inaugurations and in 1998 won the Louis C. Sudler Trophy, the nation’s top honor for a marching band. He was also the driving force behind the Minuteman’s $5.7 million marching band building, which will be named in his honor. His contributions to the school and to the music community will be remembered. Below is a video of George giving a speech from the groundbreaking of the new band building. In this video you can see just how warm and lively he was and why he will be missed by so many people.
Rest In Peace
1953 – September 16, 2010