Interim UMass band leader Thomas P. Hannum was one of the final candidates interviewed for the permanent position
Timothy T. AndersonAMHERST - There will never be another George N. Parks, the University of Massachusetts music department chairman said, referring to the legendary bandleader who died last September at the age of 57.
Still, UMass faculty and administrators are excited about the Monday appointment of Timothy T. Anderson as the new band director.
The director of the Fresno State University Marching Band was one of four candidates invited to campus to interview for the position, said Jeff Cox, chairman of the music department. “I’m very excited we had excellent choices.”
Cox, who was not on the search committee, couldn’t talk about the process but confirmed that interim band leader Thomas P. Hannum was one of the candidates. “He has such history here, we hope he’ll continue with us,” he said.
Besides Anderson and Hannum, others interviewed included
Heidi Sarver, director of the University of Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens Marching Band since 1995, and friend of Parks. She earned two degrees at UMass and then followed in her mentor's footsteps, and Eli Osterloh, assistant band director at the University of Maryland.
Hannum, who has been at UMass since 1984, could not be reached for comment. Neither could Lynn Klock, who was chairman of the search committee.
In an e-mail, search committee member James Patrick Miller, assistant professor director of wind studies, wrote that, after “a thorough and extensive national search we are very excited about Dr. Tim Anderson’s decision to join us at UMass Amherst as the next Director of the Minuteman Marching Band. I know he is also excited and looking forward to working with all of us...We both look forward to collaborating together while continuing and building upon the excellence of the band program here at UMass.”
He wrote that “Tim’s background, aside from his noted leadership and directorship of the Fresno State University Marching Band, are his educational experiences at the University of Florida, University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana as well as his undergrad work at the University of Iowa - all with top-level band programs.”
He referred all other questions to Cox, who based on the search committee’s recommendation, recommended the appointment.
Anderson is bringing Division 1 experience, Cox said. The UMass football program is being elevated to that status and Fresno State is a Division I program. The UMass football team will be joining the Mid-American Football Conference and entering the Football Bowl Subdivision
“He’s someone who has a lot to bring to us and move us forward,” Cox said. “We were lucky he was willing to take on the challenge.” He said Fresno did not want him to leave. “The kids love him there.” At Fresno, Anderson “grew their band from 200 to 300,” he said.
“No one can be George (Parks.) He will continue to have major impacts (in the lives of all who new him.)” Still Cox said, Anderson “recognizes the traditions and the past and can move us forward in a new way.
Anderson is aware of the legacy. “He’s up to the challenge. He’s so excited about all the potential here.”
In a phone interview after the announcement, Anderson said 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.
Anderson will be on campus May 22 through 25 and there will be a reception for faculty, staff, students, and others, Miller wrote.