Anderson will replace the beloved George Parks, who died last September.
Timothy Todd AndersonAMHERST – Timothy Todd Anderson, the director of the marching band at California State University, Fresno, has been chosen to become the new band leader of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band.
The announcement was sent to UMass Band alumni earlier today from Jeffery Cox, chairman of the music department.
According to the posting, “Dr. Anderson is an accomplished director who received his training in some of the best programs in the country and has great depth and breadth of experience with Division I marching bands. Dr. Anderson holds a doctorate in music education from the University of Illinois at Champaign-Urbana, a master of music from the University of Florida, and a bachelor of music with teacher certification from the University of Iowa.”
Cox also thanked Thom Hannum, who served as interim band director “during the challenging months following George Parks’ untimely passing. His devotion to the Minuteman Marching Band is legendary, and I know that you will join me in thanking Thom for his many accomplishments and in welcoming Tim to our community.”
Parks, 57, and director of the band for 33 years, died Sept. 16 after a performance in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, where the band stopped on the way to play at the UMass-Michigan game in Ann Arbor.
Anderson was chosen after a national search, said UMass spokesman Edward F. Blaguszewski. Cox could not be reached for comment.
Anderson, who’s 37, said coming to UMass “it’s very exciting,” but recognizes “there are mighty big shoes to fill...You’re aware of that...tradition and culture of excellence.”
He said he knows he is “replacing the legend (in Parks)” but said “you’re not replacing the legend. That can’t happen. You’re taking up the reins.”
And he said “you move very carefully, you listen to people...(and think) how do we represent the university in the best way.”
He’s excited to come at a time when the UMass football team will be joining the Mid-American Football Conference and entering the Football Bowl Subdivision and the band has just moved into the new band building, a project spearheaded and named for Parks. He’s also excited to lead the band at a flagship campus.
“The Power and Class of New England,” as the band is known has won praise for its performances at football games, community events and appearances at three presidential inaugurations.
Anderson his wife and cat will likely move out in June or July. They’ll be out in the next few weeks looking for a house and meeting people, he said.
Leaving Fresno “will be emotional. It was a very emotional decision to make.” But he said he decided to come “just comparing the excitement of the new possibilities”
“Tim Anderson will be an outstanding leader for one of the university’s most cherished organizations, our nationally recognized marching band,” said Chancellor Robert C. Holub in a statement. “He is an accomplished director who was trained in some of the best programs in the nation, and he has a wealth of experience with Division I marching bands.”
Holub, like Cox, thanked Hannum “who served with great distinction as interim band director during the difficult months following the untimely passing of George Parks.”