UMN Marching Band Director Betsy McCann Joins Tenure Track Faculty

The University of Minnesota School of Music is thrilled to announce that Director of Marching and Athletic Bands, Dr. Betsy McCann, will be joining the tenure track faculty in the School of Music as Assistant Professor and Associate Director of Bands. She will continue in her current role as Director of Marching and Athletic Bands. This represents a significant milestone in her academic career at the University of Minnesota and showcases her incredible talent in leading the Pride of Minnesota Marching Band. 

Since joining the School of Music faculty in 2016, McCann has ushered in a new era for the Minnesota Marching Band. Under her direction, the band has traveled to support Gopher Athletics at several FBS football bowl games and at the March Madness basketball and hockey tournaments. In 2022, she arranged an international visit to the World Expo Dubai for members of the band in support of Minnesota's bid to host the World Expo, and performed at Walter Mondale’s memorial service for an audience including President Biden. 

In 2018, the band performed for the Super Bowl Halftime Show at US Bank Stadium, and later that year, they performed for the Jonas Brothers tour at The Armory Minneapolis. The band has welcomed several notable guests under her leadership, including actor Timothée Chalamet and Red Hot Chili Peppers drummer Chad Smith. 

“We are so pleased to have Dr. McCann fully join the faculty,” says Patrick Warfield, Director of the School of Music. “Her creativity, musical excellence, and joy are infectious. This new position wiIl allow her to contribute even more deeply to our community.”