Thomas P. Hannum is the associate director of the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band. He was named interim director after the sudden death of bandleader George N. Parks while the Minuteman Band was on a trip to Michigan[1], and served in this position until May 9, 2011, when Timothy Todd Anderson, previously the band director at California State University, Fresno, was named the new director. He is a member of the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He currently resides in Amherst, Massachusetts.[2]
Thomas graduated from West Chester University. He received his masters from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He is regarded as one of the nation's top percussion teachers, having worked throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Southeast Asia. He is a member of the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame. He is well known for his work with the World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. He is currently the percussion arranger for the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps; previously, he had also worked two different stints as a percussion arranger for the Crossmen Drum and Bugle Corps, from 1976 to 1982 and from 1997 to 1999. He has also worked on the Star's Brass Theater production entitled "BLAST".[2]
At the end of the 2011 season, the Carolina Crown announced that Hannum would be part of a four person team heading their percussion program for 2012 and afterwards.[3]
In addition to his percussion work, he is a clinician and product consultant for the Avedis Zildjian Company, Vic Firth and the Pearl Drums. He also serves on the Musicians Advisory Board for J. D'Addario & Company, Inc. where he works on the development of drum heads for marching percussion. He is a member of the Percussive Arts Society and the president of the Massachusetts Chapter.[2]
He has also published a textbook titled Championship Concepts for Marching Percussion. When accompanied by the video Fundamental Techniques for Marching Percussion, concepts in the book are demonstrated clearly.[2]
Every summer, he hosts the Thom Hannum Mobile Percussion Seminar at various locations across the country. He also works at the Massachusetts Instrumental and Choral Conductors Association festival and the Bowl Games of America Festivals at the Nokia Sugar Bowl.[2]