The UMass Band ethos was captured in the 1994 documentary "Building Power and Class", broadcast on PBS affiliates in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.

During World War II, all bands at the University were disbanded from March 1943 until September 1945 because many of the members served in the military.

In May 2021, it was announced that UMass alumnus Ian Hale will be replacing Thom Hannum as Associate Director and head of percussion beginning August 2, 2021.

As of the 2024 season, the current Drum majors are Brayden Hackett, Rebekah Doucette, Qeanu Smith, Marielle Chrupcala, and Nicole Ramirez.

The main show theme usually includes traditional marching band styles with some songs that are looser and less rigid.

The UMass Colorguard and Twirlers are the visual sections in the University of Massachusetts Minuteman Marching Band, the Power and Class of New England.

The Colorguard is led by Chris McHugh Sirard and is a fully modernized ensemble utilizing flag, rifle, sabre, dance, and alternative equipment.

The trumpets (members are called Hogs) wear thin red elastic bands on gamedays and other performances.

Events such as Trombone Friday, Banana Wednesday, and section dinners bring band spirit and morale up.

For example, at the band's 2023 trip to MICCA, the Flutes and Tubas held a wedding ceremony in between performances that was attended by a small but supportive crowd.

Among the songs were "Birdland", "El Boro", "Legend of the One Eyed Sailor", "Get it On", and Gloria Estefan's "Oye Tu Conga".

A smaller group of the band also performed at the Boston Public Library for a private event celebrating William Bulger's 70th birthday.

Among the notable performances during this season, the band played at the football game between UMass and the United States Army at West Point.

During this performance, the band played Lee Greenwood's "God Bless the USA" in honor of the armed forces.

The band played their final halftime show of the 2006 post season in Chattanooga, Tennessee, at the NCAA National Championship game vs. Appalachian State University.

The 2008 show contained the fifth movement of Hector Berlioz's Symphonie fantastique, an abridged version of Billy Joel's "And So It Goes", Dave Weckl's "Tiempo de Festival" (performed as the percussion feature), and a medley of Stevie Wonder songs ("Uptight (Everything's Alright)", "Don't You Worry 'bout a Thing", "For Once In My Life", and "Fingertips").

Performance locations in 2008 included Allentown, Pennsylvania, Faneuil Hall, the West Boyleston Parade and Field Show, and the MICCA High School Marching Band Championships.

The fall 2010 show featured music from the motion picture The Wind and the Lion as well as a medley of Madonna songs.

Other music included "Canto Del Viento", the percussion feature "Oye Tu Conga", and Madonna's "Like a Prayer".

The following week, for Homecoming, the school held a two-hour tribute in the Mullins Center for Parks before that day's football game.

The next week the band attended an away game versus the University of New Hampshire at Gillette Stadium for the Colonial Clash.

Songs played by the band included a selection from Igor Stravinsky's The Firebird, Boogie Wonderland by Earth Wind and Fire, Jai Ho, and All Night Long by Lionel Richie.

At Fenway Park in April 2014, the band was joined by Scottish bagpipers and drummers for a ceremony marking the first anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing.

The show, called "The Defense of Fort McHenry", featured many traditional American and British songs, such as "Yankee Doodle" and "Rule, Britannia!

The entire fall 2020 season including band camp was canceled due to the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.

UMass moved classes online and the UMMB was not able to hold in person rehearsals or performances for the first time in over 100 years.

In late May 2021, alumnus Ian Hale was announced the new Associate Director and head of percussion of the Minuteman Marching Band, replacing Thom Hannum after 40 years.

The woodwind piece was a selection of music from Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story, featuring "Maria", "Mambo", and "Tonight".

During the band's field show at the October 7th UMass football game versus Toledo, it was announced that the UMMB would be marching in the 2024 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The 2024 season's field show opened with a medley of Beyoncé songs, including "Texas Hold 'Em", "Crazy in Love", and "Halo".