In order to be responsible, you have to respond. You have to respond with enthusiasm, excitement, energy, excellence, and intensity.
-George Parks, UMMBand 1977-2010
It has become a tradition that each year all Nessacus Band students attend the Multiband Concert at UMASS, Amherst. Which raise the questions: What is the Mutiband Concert and Why do we go?
The Multiband Pops Concert is an annual concert that showcases many of the performing organizations housed under the Department of Music and Dance at the University of Massachusetts. We go so that students may experience Excellence and be inspired. We go so they can witness the highest level of musicianship, teamwork, collaboration, discipline and artistry. All of the performances are nothing less than inspiring and there's "a little for everyone".
Groups that perform are multiple Jazz Ensembles, Vocal Ensembles, Marimba and Percussion ensembles, the University Dancers, Symphony Band, Brass and Wind Ensembles. The highlight after intermission is the 200 member strong Minuteman Marching Band dubbed the "Pride and Class of New England" and winners of the Sudler Trophy. It is an understatement to say that the band brings energy to the event. Each year, they play highlights from their current Field Show and the Drumline is also featured.
The performance always ends with their signature: playing and singing of Frank Sinatra's 'My Way'. This is a tradition that was started under the late and great George Parks who inspired tens of thousands in his 30+ years as director of the group. Indeed, their way is rare: aspiring and striving for personal and technical excellence at all costs-sublimating personal needs for the needs of the group and the music. In a 'selfie world', we need more examples like this. Every few years a CBRSD music student attends UMASS, Amherst and becomes a UMASS Marching Band member partly because they were motivated and inspired in middle school after attending this field trip. That's when the seed to become a musician/music teacher was planted. We are very proud of these alumni. For those that may be interested in seeing the show, there is a performance Friday night.
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