In 2012, Minnesota Brass will continue to push the creative envelope with the story of two iconic gangsters.  “Bonnie and Clyde is the type of gritty storytelling that we love to bring to the drum corps audience,” said Program Coordinator Joel Matuzak.  “It is the perfect vehicle for Minnesota Brass to continue to perform sophisticated shows that are passionate, entertaining and accessible.”

The show will tell the story of two depression-era lovers who chose a life of crime and paid the ultimate price for it.  Their doomed love was set against the backdrop of 1930’s jazz.  “There are great storylines here and that’s what will make this show so unique and entertaining,” said visual caption supervisor Gary Swanson.  While the 2012 production will tell a powerful story, it will not be completely tied to the actual lives of Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow.

“We’ve had great success in recent seasons, using a broad spectrum of genres to create a uniquely powerful Minnesota Brass sound,” said Executive Director, Eric Molho.  “The design team has chosen some great music to work with this year.”  The 2012 production will draw upon the great jazz era as well as other eras.  George Gershwin’s “Summertime” from Porgy and Bess will open the show and remain a theme throughout for the doomed love of the rogue couple.  The classic Duke Ellington tune, “It Don’t Mean a Thing if It Ain’t Got That Swing” will be a  brass feature.  The love of Bonnie and Clyde will be expressed in “Come What May” from the movie, Moulin Rouge.  The final act will be based on Samuel Barber’s “Medea’s Dance of Vengence.”

Minnesota Brass is the defending Drum Corps Associate Open Class World Champions.  The season begins at our membership night on Wednesday, January 4!  Mark your calendar.