Hello Everyone! It was absolutely a beautiful day for Marching Bands on Sunday, Oct 3rd 2010 up at J Birney Crum Stadium in Allentown. 
This stadium, by far, is one of the finest stadiums to march in. I think the announcer had it wrong. J Birney Crum is a Marching Band Stadium that we permit other sports to play in. The stadium is perfect for Marching Band and Dinkels. The astroturf field is smooth, and with all the rain we had just prior to the event, you would never know it. It simply great to walk and march on. It is no accident that so many marching shows are held here at J Birney Crum. The stadium seating is up against a hill so, the sound just surrounds you when they play. When the bands come front, they blast you out of your seat. It is a moment of blissful sound. The event is always well organized and the keep the show moving. For those that missed it, the Collegiate level Marching Bands that show up are simply amazing. It truly is all about performing. It is about putting on a show on for the spectators with no rules and no limits on creativity. It is 100% great music and art.
One noteworthy moment was that many of the Marching Band units dedicated their show to the late George N Parks. He was the UMASS director, but was als0 much more in the eyes of musicians everywhere. His involvement touched so many at all levels of music. He will surely be missed. It was quite a somber moment when UMASS took the field and performed. The dedication at the end of their show was very memorial and somber as they dedicated their performance and 2 encore performances to George N Parks that followed a sing-along of “My Way.”
West Chester University Marching Band also put on a great show with field 
props. What was particularly spectacular to watch with WCU, was the creativity that they brought to the field.
Their show had rolling props they used on the field, and had theatrical work that was used to accompany the music.
University of Delaware performed as well as Millersville, Bloomsburg, Kutztown, Morgan State, Shepherd, Cheyney, Shippensburg, Lehigh, IUP, Lebanon Valley, Mansfield, and others. 
It was a terrific afternoon for Marching Band performances.
Be sure to plan this event next year!
In Memory of George N Parks -
Information on George N Parks at UMASS can be found Here on their Music Home page. Information about donations for the George N Parks Scholarship funds can be found HERE. Be sure to select the drop down in the form for you donation and allocation.
