Ground-breaking set for new band building

A ground-breaking ceremony for a new $5.7 million Minuteman Marching Band Building is being held Saturday, Oct. 17 at 1 p.m. near Grinnell Arena, where some band operations have been based for more than a decade.

The new structure will serve as the permanent home for the band known as “The Power and Class of New England.” Band director George N. Parks says in addition to the nearly 400 members of the band who will be at the event, he expects a significant number of band alumni and friends to be at the ceremony.

Among those attending the ceremony will be Sen. Stanley C. Rosenberg, a former band member, President Jack M. Wilson, Chancellor Robert C. Holub, Trustee Henry M. Thomas III, and Jeff Cox, who chairs the Department of Music and Dance. Holub will introduce alumnus and former band member Matt Dunphy, who also served as manager, personnel manager and Hoop Band manager, and Caitlin Bogdan, the current band manager.

Parks notes that the band has been without a permanent home since 1997 when it was moved out of the Old Chapel due to safety issues with that building. Designed by Kuhn Riddle Architects of Amherst, the new structure will be attached by a walkway to Grinnell Arena, which will be renovated. The main band building is located up the hill from the new student recreation center and next to the police station. The first floor of the new building will consist of a grand concert hall where the band will be able to rehearse inside if necessary. The second floor will have an observation deck and offices for the band’s administrative staff. The building will be constructed using energy-saving techniques and materials.


Image: Rendering by Kuhn Riddle Architects shows the new band building at right and connecting walkway to the renovated Grinnell Arena.

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October 15, 2009.

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