Thom Hannum

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Thomas P. Hannum
Thom Hannum in 2014.JPG
Born
Thomas Patrick Hannum

(1957-06-14)June 14, 1957
West Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
EducationWest Chester University of Pennsylvania
University of Massachusetts, Amherst
OccupationBand director
Music teacher
Years active1980–present
EmployerUniversity of Massachusetts Amherst
Known forDirector of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band
ChildrenGreg, William
Parent(s)Robert, Stashia
AwardsDrum Corps International Hall of Fame

DCI World Championships: 1983, 1984, 1985, 1987, 1991, 2013

World Drum Corps Hall of Fame

Bands of America Hall of Fame

Thom P. Hannum is a percussionist and music educator that is known for being the former associate director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. He previously served as interim director after the sudden death of bandleader George N. Parks while the Minuteman Band was on a trip to Michigan, and served in this position until May 9, 2011, when Timothy Todd Anderson was named the new director.[1]

Thom Hannum has long been regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion arrangers, instructors, and clinicians having presented numerous seminars and workshops. He currently resides in Hadley, Massachusetts.[2]

Career[]

Thom Hannum has taught at the University of Massachusetts, for over 40 years, where he served as the Associate Director of the Minuteman Marching Band, and the Director of the Marimba Band and Marimba Ensemble program. In 2009 Hannum was recognized by the UMass, receiving the Distinguished Teaching Award.

He is employed as a product consultant and clinician for the Avedis Zildjian Company and Vic Firth Sticks & Mallets where he has developed several Signature Series drum sticks and keyboard mallets. Thom is an active member of the Percussive Arts Society where he serves on the Marching Percussion Committee.[3]

In addition to his involvement in the collegiate marching band world, Hannum was on the design team for the Tony and Emmy winning musical, Blast!

Hannum has been heavily involved in Drum Corps International where he is currently on the design team and the percussion director for the Carolina Crown Drum and Bugle Corps. He is also known for his work with the DCI World Champion The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps of Bergen County and Star of Indiana Drum and Bugle Corps. In the summer of 2001, Hannum was inducted into the DCI Hall of Fame, and in 2008 he was inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame. Hannum is also a member of the Crossmen Hall of Fame.

Through Hal Leonard, Hannum published a textbook and corresponding student Workbook, Championship Concepts For Marching Percussion, which provide many band programs with a comprehensive foundation for percussion education. His instructional video produced by Warner Brothers/Chappell, Fundamental Techniques For Marching Percussion, demonstrates many of the concepts outlined in the books. He has published percussion arrangements and solos with Warner Brothers, Rowloff Productions, and Drop6 Media, Inc. Thom’s newest book, A Percussionist’s Guide to Check Patterns, was published by Alfred Publishing in early 2009.[4]

Hannum has also established Thom Hannum's Mobile Percussion Seminar at UMass Amherst, which is a summer camp for high school drumline, battery, pit & front ensemble percussion students.

In early 2020, Hannum announced he will be switching to a part time role within the UMass Marching band. Hannum stated "After a great deal of thought and careful consideration the time has come for me to scale back my activities and the time spent with the Minuteman Marching Band and other associated duties".[5]

In late May 2021, alumnus Ian Hale was announced the new Associate Director and head of percussion of the Minuteman Marching Band, replacing Thom Hannum after 40 years Thom Hannum will still continue in a part-time role with the Minuteman Band.

Personal life[]

Hannum grew up in the Philadelphia area of Pennsylvania.[6] When Hannum was 10, he began to play the drums with the Brookhaven Crusaders, a “neighborhood corps” in the suburbs of Philadelphia. He continued to play throughout high school and joined the marching band at West Chester University where he was studying history and secondary education. Hannum has claimed he always wanted to become a teacher. Hannum ultimately finished his undergraduate at WCU with a bachelor’s degree in music education in 1980. That same year, George N. Parks asked him to become a graduate assistant at UMass. Hannum decided that he “had nothing to lose and everything to gain” and accepted the position. He received his master’s degree from UMass in 1984 and was offered a newly created assistant director position with the band.[7]

Hannum married his former wife, Linda in 1982. Linda was also a UMass student and served as drum major of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band for two years. They have two sons, Gregory and William. The couple divorced in 2016.[8] He currently resides in Hadley, Massachusetts.[2]

References[]

  1. ^ Lederman, Diane (September 17, 2010). "George Parks, late UMass band director, was en route to 'a pinnacle' performance at Michigan Stadium". The Springfield Republican. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b "Minuteman Band Staff Associate Director Thomas P. Hannum". University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band Webmaster. 2008. Archived from the original on 13 January 2002. Retrieved 22 September 2010.
  3. ^ "Thom Hannum". The Music for All Summer Symposium, presented by Yamaha. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  4. ^ "Thom Hannum, DCI Hall of Fame Member". Thom Hannum's Mobile Percussion Seminar. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  5. ^ "Thom Hannum announces new role with UMass Band". UMass AlumBander. 2020-02-29. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  6. ^ Bevilacqua, Brian. "Associate Band Director Thomas Hannum believes you can always learn more". Massachusetts Daily Collegian. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  7. ^ "Hannum honored for 25 years with marching band". Office of News & Media Relations | UMass Amherst. Retrieved 2021-05-29.
  8. ^ "Welcome Page - Massachusetts Trial Court 3". www.masscourts.org. Retrieved 2021-05-29.

External links[]

Thom Hannum
Preceded by
George N. Parks 		Band Director
2010-2011 		Succeeded by
Timothy Todd Anderson
Retrieved from ""