The University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band is featured on a two-volume compilation of patriotic music in memory of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
The Minuteman ensemble is the only collegiate band chosen to appear on both CD’s in the “Marching for Freedom: Music of the American Spirit” series. The band performed “God Bless the U.S.A.” on Volume 1 and Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture” on Volume 2.
The UMass marching band, currently under the leadership of George N. Parks, founder of the George N. Parks Drum Major Academy, is comprised of 320 students from 174 Massachusetts communities and 17 other states.
Parks, in a statement on the band’s Web site, spoke of his feelings following the events of Sept. 11, and the request to be involved with the creation of the CD.
“Rehearsing and performing with a ‘marching band’ seemed to be such a trivial activity during the days following the tragedy of Sept. 11. Finding the motivation to go to the field and feign enthusiasm during this time (or even worse-to expect enthusiasm from the 300 confused and saddened students in our band) this was one of the biggest challenges I ever faced with the Minuteman Band,” wrote Parks.
“But of course, everyone everywhere was struggling… and searching for meaning with what they do in their own lives. Then, in our first performance following the attacks we performed an arrangement of ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ with the University of Delaware Band and 10 area high schools. I will never forget looking into the stands, seeing an older gentleman ever so slowly waving one of the thousands of American flags at Delaware Stadium, with rivers of tears streaming down his face. I had rehearsed the piece many times. We had performed it for President Bush in his Inaugural Parade just months earlier. I would have thought I was impervious to such emotion and yet, as I looked into the stands that evening, seeing the tremendous impact that was so obvious in this man’s eyes, I was moved to tears in an indescribable way.”
“We are indebted to Emphatic Music for the tackling this wonderful project which will bring the excellent work of so many great bands and drum corps into the living rooms of Americans nationwide. It will help remind us all the importance of bands and band music to our national heritage. Speaking for the Minuteman Marching Band, we are thrilled to be part of ‘Marching for Freedom.'”
A photograph of the band, captured by UMass employee and marching band alumnus Keith Paul is featured on the CD’s publicity poster as well as in the Volume 1 liner. Accompanying the band’s photo in the liner notes is a letter composed by band director George Parks, in which he said, “American bands have been inspiring our country for two centuries. The magic, the power and class that marching bands and drum corps provide brings us together, helps us remember our heritage, helps us forge ahead, and inspires us to do our very best, even in the most challenging of times.”
Emphatic Music, an Internet-based, independent record label based out of Valley Forge, Pa, produced the CD series. The project was the brainchild of Jeff Harvey, head of the label, as an opportunity for small companies like Emphatic Music to raise money for charity at a “critical time in our nation’s history.” All of the proceeds from the recordings will be donated to The Salvation Army.
The CD’s are available for sale online and by mail order; however, there is currently an effort to distribute the series for sale at historical sites around the country. The first volume was released in May and the second on Aug.1. Each CD goes for $14.50 plus $3.50 for shipping and handling. Orders can be made by contacting Emphatic at 610-935-2575 or [email protected], or by going to www.MarchingForFreedom.com.
The Minuteman Band was established in 1935, under the direction of Charles Farnum.
