University of Massachusetts Amherst

09/30/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/30/2025 14:25

51st Annual Multibands Pops to Kick Off UMass Family Weekend on Oct. 17

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The UMass Amherst Department of Music and Dance's 51st Annual Multibands Pops concert will kick-off UMass Family Weekend in Tillis Hall at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 17.

Since its inception in 1975, the Multibands Pops Concert has been introducing local school students to a wide range of music genres while showcasing the entire spectrum of its student ensembles. Thirteen ensembles of various sizes from the department will present wind, jazz, orchestral, choral, percussion and chamber music in a fast-paced 65-minute first half. As is tradition, the second half will feature the UMass Minuteman Marching Band performing highlights from their 2025 Field Show, complete with color guard and twirlers. In total, more than 700 students will take part in the performance.

"Multibands is a collaborative showcase that highlights the consistent quality of student talent across a broad spectrum of genres and ensemble sizes in an accessible format for all to experience and enjoy," says Jeffrey W. Holmes, director of jazz and African-American music studies, who has been the show's producer since 2000 and involved in 44 of the event's 51 years.

In addition to the Friday evening concert for the public, the Department of Music and Dance will also host matinee performances for K-12 students from Massachusetts, Connecticut and Vermont. Since a second school performance was added in 2008, nearly 3,500 students each year get to experience the show.

"So many of our own majors and minors can trace their exposure to UMass via a trip to a Multibands matinee," notes Holmes, "and many of the music educators that come now are graduates of our Music and Dance Department, having performed in the same ensembles they now enjoy with their own school programs."

Tickets to Friday evening's concert are $25 for general audience members and $18 for students, seniors and UMass faculty and staff. Student matinees are not open to the general public.

For tickets, visit umasstix.org/multibands.

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