Diem has stepped down from his position as the Director of the UMMB

Donate To GopherHole

Now that he is a single father of three children, since his wife passed away in October, he decided it to step down from his position and focus on his family. I can imagine it was a tough decision to make, as he loved the marching band, but family always comes first. He taught the band that. He will be missed.
 



I wish him the best.

Obviously this hire will be nearly as important as the athletic department accountant.
 


Who's the band director at Boise? You always want to bring in people you know...lol.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

I met him through a close friend. Tim would always take as much time as he could to chat on gameday and was always interested in any feedback we gave him. I hope to see him at future games as a Gopher fan.
 





Any idea from band people on here who might replace him? Someone already within the band like an assistant director? Will be interesting if they hire someone from outside the University since Diem was pretty much a continuation of the Luckhardt era (kind of like Kill/Claeys), and if they do go outside the current staff what kind of changes might be made to the performances.
 


Ski U Master said:
Any idea from band people on here who might replace him? Someone already within the band like an assistant director? Will be interesting if they hire someone from outside the University since Diem was pretty much a continuation of the Luckhardt era (kind of like Kill/Claeys), and if they do go outside the current staff what kind of changes might be made to the performances.
Click to expand...

It's a lot of hours and little pay, so it probably makes sense that it is someone from the music dept. who takes it on as an add-on to their teaching responsibilities.
 

Maximus said:
More marching band, less concert band.
Click to expand...

this! sad to hear the circumstances around diem's departure and i admire his decision.

i hope this provides an opportunity for some fresh ideas on the marching band performance. part of the fun of going to away games is seeing different approaches and the marching band is one area that could use a fresh makeover.
 



Some BIG schools have the MB in the AD. That does have some advantages.
 

Ski U Master said:
Any idea from band people on here who might replace him? Someone already within the band like an assistant director? Will be interesting if they hire someone from outside the University since Diem was pretty much a continuation of the Luckhardt era (kind of like Kill/Claeys), and if they do go outside the current staff what kind of changes might be made to the performances.
Click to expand...

Betsy McCann announced as new Director:

"U of M School of Music Names Director of Marching and Athletic Bands – Elizabeth (Betsy) McCann is the first female director of a marching band in the Big Ten. Director of Bands Emily Threinen shares, “We are thrilled to have Betsy McCann as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Minnesota. She has led the U of M Marching Band to new heights and we’re excited for the future of the Pride of Minnesota under her leadership.”

Taji34, I'm curious about your thoughts on this announcement...?
 

Go4 said:
this! sad to hear the circumstances around diem's departure and i admire his decision.

i hope this provides an opportunity for some fresh ideas on the marching band performance. part of the fun of going to away games is seeing different approaches and the marching band is one area that could use a fresh makeover.
Click to expand...

Pregame show is excellent and in my opinion only needs a few small tweaks. Halftime shows leave something to be desired, needs an overhaul.
 

MplsGopherFan said:
Betsy McCann announced as new Director:

"U of M School of Music Names Director of Marching and Athletic Bands – Elizabeth (Betsy) McCann is the first female director of a marching band in the Big Ten. Director of Bands Emily Threinen shares, “We are thrilled to have Betsy McCann as Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Marching and Athletic Bands at the University of Minnesota. She has led the U of M Marching Band to new heights and we’re excited for the future of the Pride of Minnesota under her leadership.”

Taji34, I'm curious about your thoughts on this announcement...?
Click to expand...

Is this because I posted earlier, or its known I'm a member of the band? :p

In all seriousness I couldn't imagine anyone else being chosen for this. She has been on staff since my rookie year in band three years ago, she's an alumni of the band, and she was named Assistant Director last year (I think, I can't remember for sure). With Dr Diem having to be away so often to spend time with his family, and take care of his wife in here last few months, Prof. McCann basically ran the band last year, and she handled it with ease. I've had a few discussions with her about the band, and other things, and she is a very nice and open person. Very well liked in the band as well.

For those of you who had your qualms about Dr Diem, you may find Prof McCann a nice change. She is very open to listening to any suggestion, and giving a detailed response on why it can or can't happen. That being said, she most likely is not going to start wildly changing things everywhere, but who knows. I shouldn't be speaking for Prof. McCann on what she is or isn't going to do, since I don't know that.

All in all, this might actually be very similar to the Kill-Claeys switch in that she holds a lot of the same ideals the Dr Diem did (Excellence on the field and off, family comes first, etc), but may be a bit more willing to change some things up to see what might work better.

That being said, I have a lot of respect for Dr Diem, and am very sad to see him go. I wish him the best with his family, and I hope he finds some time to come watch the band perform.
 


olddoc said:
Some BIG schools have the MB in the AD. That does have some advantages.
Click to expand...

Only Rutgers, and their band is not near the level of others in the conference. Pretty sure ever other marching band in the B1G is part of the respective schools of music or arts.
 

PMWinSTP said:
Huh?!?
Click to expand...

Alchemy2u really, really has a problem with Mark Coyle having the authority to fill his staff how he sees fit, despite this being the standard operating procedure in virtually every hierarchical organization everywhere since the beginning of time. It's truly bizarre. Alchemy2u also likes to pretend that Coyle came here directly from Boise St., despite the fact that he spent almost a full year at Syracuse between the two jobs. Apparently, this "knowledge" extends to the insinuation that the U of M Athletic Director selects and hires the marching band director (because why wouldn't he?) and also gets in the wicked diss that this search would extend only to Boise St., because reasons.
 

I received this email tonight. Sounds like the Pigs band will be at TCF. Hmmmmmm

Dear Members of the UMBAS,


I hope this letter finds you all doing well and enjoying your summers. I am pleased to share with you the news of my new role at the U as the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of Marching and Athletic Bands. My duties include leading the UMMB, along with other duties in the School of Music. I am thrilled that I will be able to take the lead on continuing to build and care for this fantastic program that we all love.



One of my goals as the director is to improve communication and collaboration between the UMMB and the UMBAS. I am interested to hear from you what you want and need, and collaborate to align your wants and needs with the wants and needs of the band.



As you can imagine, I am (and have been for a while) busy at work to get next season up and rolling. I am confident that in short order, everything will be in place to make this season a fantastic one for all of us. This is a huge year for the band, between new uniforms, extra special 125th Anniversary events, great shows (I’m excited to share these with you once I finalize a couple details), a visiting band (Iowa is coming), a really promising rookie class, fantastic vets, and amazing people on staff like you! I am anticipating a really special year for the UMMB.



I have the August UMBAS meeting on my calendar and will look forward to meeting with you then. If there is anything you need from me, please do not hesitate to let me know.



I am looking forward to digging in and shaping our 125th season! Ski-U-Mah!



Best,



Betsy McCann


Assistant Director of Bands, Director of Marching and Athletic Bands
University of Minnesota




Contact Us:
UofM Band Alumni Society
TCF Bank Stadium
420 23rd Avenue SE
Minneapolis, MN 55455
612-568-8636
inf
 

dpodoll68 said:
Alchemy2u really, really has a problem with Mark Coyle having the authority to fill his staff how he sees fit, despite this being the standard operating procedure in virtually every hierarchical organization everywhere since the beginning of time. It's truly bizarre. Alchemy2u also likes to pretend that Coyle came here directly from Boise St., despite the fact that he spent almost a full year at Syracuse between the two jobs. Apparently, this "knowledge" extends to the insinuation that the U of M Athletic Director selects and hires the marching band director (because why wouldn't he?) and also gets in the wicked diss that this search would extend only to Boise St., because reasons.
Click to expand...

Thanks for enlightening me on my opinions on Coyle. Nice use of artistic license.

I questioned Coyle's first two hires that he made because they followed him from Boise, to Cuse, to the U. I made the comment that the U was basically being run by the same group that ran Boise a year ago. That turned into a several page lecture on how everyone only hires people they have worked with in the past, blah, blah, blah. So I was trying to make a joke by inferring the new hire would be coming from Boise.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

Spoofin said:
Well Done!



You couldn't be more wrong.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Par for the course coming from you, means I'm right on the money, thanks. Peas in a pod. Thoughtful to the minimum.
 

Glad to see a visiting band coming, big part of college football the MN too often misses out on for a number of reasons.
 

alchemy2u said:
I questioned Coyle's first two hires that he made because they followed him from Boise, to Cuse, to the U. I made the comment that the U was basically being run by the same group that ran Boise a year ago.
Click to expand...

What you don't seem to understand is that you keep "questioning" it despite the fact that it's a good thing. A big component that people loved about the Jerry Kill hire was that he brought a great deal of his staff along with him from Saginaw Valley St., Emporia St., Southern Illinois, and Northern Illinois to Minnesota. You have yet to articulate how this is any different. (Hint - it isn't.)
 

You must log in or register to reply here.



Top Bottom