UMass band leader dies

September 18, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

Associated Press

AMHERST, Mass.

George Parks, a University of Massachusetts music professor who led the school’s Minuteman Marching Band to national prominence, has died, university officials said.

Parks suffered a heart attack after a performance in Ohio on Thursday. He was 57.

The 350-member band was on its way to Ann Arbor, Mich., where it is scheduled to perform at today’s UMass football game against Michigan. Band members decided that the performance will proceed as scheduled, department of music and dance Chairman Jeff Cox said.

“This is an extraordinary loss,” Chancellor Robert Holub said in a statement. “George’s devotion to excellence, his creativity and his passion for teaching inspired us all and shaped the lives of thousands of students during the three decades that he directed the Power and Class of New England.”

Parks was in his usual position last weekend, precariously perched on a concrete wall at UMass’ football stadium directing the halftime show at the team’s home game against Holy Cross, the band stretching from end zone to end zone.

In 33 years under Parks, the UMass band performed at presidential inaugurations in 1981, 1985 and 2001 and in 1998 won the Louis C. Sudler Trophy, the nation’s top honor for a marching band.

The band performed at NFL games and at community events across the country.

Parks was enshrined in the Bands of America Hall of Fame in 2006.

The tuba and conducting professor, who was awarded the university’s distinguished teaching award in 1989, helped raise money to build a new home for the marching band. The band lost its previous home because of safety concerns and kept instruments and other equipment scattered across campus.

Groundbreaking for the $5.7 million facility took place last fall, and it is expected to open in the spring.

A native of Buffalo, N.Y., Parks was a graduate of West Chester University in Pennsylvania and also had a master’s of music degree from Northwestern University.

He leaves behind his wife, Jeanne, and children, Michael and Kathryn.

Funeral services are pending.