Timothy Todd Anderson

Director

Timothy Todd Anderson has been at the University of Massachusetts Amherst since 2011. In addition to his marching band responsibilities, Dr. Anderson also directs the Hoop & Ice Band, the Concert Band, teaches Marching Band Techniques and works with student teachers. During the summers, he is the conductor of the Amherst Community Band. Dr. Anderson previously served as the Associate Director of Bands at California State University, Fresno, from 2006 – 2011. He is a frequent clinician and guest conductor with school band programs throughout New England. Dr. Anderson holds the Bachelor of Music from the University of Iowa, the Master of Music in Wind Conducting from the University of Florida, and the Doctorate of Education in Music Education from the University of Illinois. His career began as an instrumental music teacher in the West Marshall Community School District of State Center, Iowa. Dr. Anderson resides in Amherst with his wife Jennifer and their cat Gatsby. He can be reached at tanderson@music.umass.edu.

Ian Hale

Associate Director

Ian Hale received degrees in percussion performance from the University of Calgary and the University of Massachusetts Amherst where his teachers included Dr. Glenn Price, Eduardo Leandro, and DCI Hall of Fame member and past Associate Director Thom Hannum. Ian was a member of the music faculty at UMass from 2007-2008 and has served as a percussion instructor and clinician ever since. He was the Assistant Director of Bands for the Calgary Stampede Showband from 2009-2011 and has served as Percussion Director for Spirit Winter Percussion from Orleans, Massachusetts since 2012. Ian has worked with many national and international ensembles including the Calgary Stampede Showband, Spirit of America, Thomas Jefferson High School, Dartmouth Indoor Percussion, United Percussion, Boston University, University of Massachusetts, and the U.S. Army All-American Marching Band. He was a member of the percussion staff for the Madison Scouts, Carolina Crown, and the Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps. He is currently on the percussion staff for the Boston Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps. He can be reached at ihale@umass.edu.

Thomas P. Hannum

Thom Hannum has been teaching at the University of Massachusetts Amherst since 1984; he has served as the Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band as well as the Coordinator of the Marimba Band/Marimba Ensemble program. He received the Distinguished Service to the University Award, recognizing his considerable contributions to the University. Mr. Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation's foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians having presented numerous seminars and workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. Thom is also a charter member of the design team for the Tony Award-winning show Blast! He is known internationally for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. Mr. Hannum is currently the Percussion Coordinator and Arranger for the Carolina Crown. He can be reached at hannum@music.umass.edu.

Chris McHugh Sirard

Assistant Director

Chris has been the Assistant Director of the UMass Marching Band, serving as Color Guard Director and Visual Coordinator, since 2015. She previously worked as Color Guard Instructor for the UMMB from 1990-1995. As a UMass student, Chris joined the UMMB in 1988, was color guard captain in 1989, and graduated in 1990 with a degree in Communications. Chris taught the Color Guard at the University of South Carolina where she earned Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Music Education, with a concentration in Early Childhood Music Development. She has taught early childhood music in California and Minnesota, and elementary general music classes in Virginia and Massachusetts. She moved back to Amherst in 2013 and happily resumed working with the UMass Guard. She lives in Amherst with her family, and teaches early childhood music classes in the area. She can be reached at csirard@umass.edu.

Owen Doyle

Band Manager

Owen Doyle (He/Him) is a Chemistry (B.S.) major. Owen is from Dudley, Massachusetts. He has been in the UMMB for almost 3 seasons (this will be his fourth). Owen is in the Trumpet section. He was a member of the Web Staff from 2021-2022, Band Day coordinator 2021 and 2022. He programs computer software (software development), plays Magic: The Gathering and DND (“I’m basically a huge nerd”-Owen). He enjoys jazz music and drinks anywhere from 2-4 cups of coffee a day. Owen is super thrilled to be the band manager and can't wait to see what the UMMB accomplishes this season! Please reach out with any questions at ummbmanager@umass.edu.

Lillian Madsen

Travel Manager

Lillian is an Economics and Political Science major from Kingston, Massachusetts. She plays flute in the UMMB as well as tenor sax in the Hoop and Ice Band and Concert Band. This will be her 4th season with the UMMB but 3rd in person as she started on zoom band! She previously served on the Library Staff for two seasons, one as the Library Manager. In her free time, she enjoys photography and journaling. Her favorite part about being in the UMMB is all the exciting trips she has been able to be a part of and all the people she has met. She is so excited to be the travel manager this season as it will allow her to give more to this organization that has given so much to her over the last few years. She can not wait to see what the UMMB will accomplish this fall! A fun fact about her is that she chose to come to UMass because of the UMMB! ummbtravelmanager@umass.edu.

Gianna Borowski

Personnel Manager

Gianna is a Music Education major from Millbury, MA, who plays tenor sax in the UMMB. This talented musician is entering her fourth season as a proud member of the band. Previously, she served on the A/V Staff and as PR Manager, while also taking pride in her membership in Tau Beta Sigma. When Gianna isn't dazzling the crowd with her musicianship, she enjoys spending time with friends, listening to music, and immersing herself in the arts. A fun fact about Gianna is that she loves cartwheels! She is thrilled for this upcoming marching season and looks forward to working closely with the band like never before. ummbpersonnelmanager@umass.edu.

The UMMB has many more student leaders that strive to make the band successful.  

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Patrick Kearns

Patrick Kearns is a senior Public Health major from Bridgewater, MA. Coming from the tenor saxophone section (UH), this is his second year on the Drum Major team. This season, he is most excited to get to know everyone better, and to perform with an enthusiastic and talented group of people. Pat is also a member of Tau Beta Sigma, and loves serving the band and community. Outside of band, he spends his time by hanging with friends, jamming out to Sammy Rae, and driving the bus around town. Feel free to reach out at pkearns@umass.edu, he would love to chat!

Zoë Cohen

Zoë Cohen is a Senior Music Education Major from Nevada City, CA. You may be asking yourself, "Why would someone come to UMass from California?" Well, as she will proudly tell you, she came for the UMMB! She joined us first as a member of our trumpet section (OINK) and this year she is returning to serve her fourth and final season as a Drum Major! She is proud to have had the opportunity to be a leader in the band through the pandemic, and is beyond thrilled to see this new chapter of the Minuteman Marching Band emerge. Zoë is an avid skier, animal lover, and proud plant mom. After UMass, she plans on pursuing a career in conducting and music leadership. She loves connecting with people so feel free to reach out at zpcohen@umass.edu. Nothing gets in the way of the music and Zoë cannot wait to have the time of her life with the best band anywhere this fall!

Emma LaCava

Emma LaCava is a Senior Business Management and Event Management Major from Chelmsford, MA. Hailing from the Alto Saxophone section, she is ecstatic to join the Drum Major team for the 150th season of the UMMB! When she’s not on the field, Emma is involved in the UMass Entrepreneurship Club, UPC and runs her own art business, LaCava Creations. After she graduates this Spring, Emma is pursuing a career in event planning with the ultimate goal of founding her own wedding planning company. Her favorite people to talk with are band people, so feel free to reach out at elacava@umass.edu with any questions, comments or fun facts. Go UMass!

Marielle Chrupcala

Marielle is a junior music education major from Portsmouth, RI. Joining first as a member of the alto saxophone section, this will be Marielle’s second year serving on the Drum Major team. She is extremely excited to be able to spend this season celebrating the 150th anniversary of the best band anywhere! Outside of band, she spends most of her time either at the Fine Arts Center or in search of a great restaurant. After UMass, she plans on pursuing a career in conducting and music education. She knows it can be exciting yet intimidating joining the UMMB, so she’d love to get to know you better and answer any questions you may have at mchrupcala@umass.edu.

Qeanu Smith

Qeanu is a senior Music Education and Saxophone Performance major from Shirley, MA. Previously from the Tenor Saxophone Section, where she served as Section Leader her junior year, this will be her first year as a Drum Major for the UMMB. She is very excited for the 150th season and can’t wait to perform with the best band anywhere! Qeanu is also a sister of Tau Beta Sigma and enjoys serving the band and the community. In her spare time, Qeanu enjoys driving buses for UMass Transit, collecting shoes and spending time with friends. Don’t hesitate to reach out at qlsmith@umass.edu she loves to meet new people!