| MBI to perform in 4th of July parades - Volunteers needed! | Jun 29, 2009 |
| MBI to perform in Fridley 49'ers parade TODAY! | Jun 25, 2009 |
| A Terrific Start | Jun 23, 2009 |
| PIZZA FUNDRAISER AT CICI'S IN EAGAN | Jun 11, 2009 |
| Another Honor for MBI Great, Roger Grupp | Jun 4, 2009 |
| Join MBI on Facebook! | Jun 1, 2009 |
| Drill camp and Annual Alumi, Family, and Friends lunch this weekend! | May 26, 2009 |
| And We're Off! | May 21, 2009 |
| Volunteer Update | May 15, 2009 |
| MBI Alum Roger Grupp is Honored in Buglers Hall of Fame | Apr 27, 2009 |
| MBI Winter Drumline Places 10th | Apr 18, 2009 |
| 2009 SPRING EXPO | Apr 1, 2009 |
| MINNE-BRASS WOWS SDCA! | Mar 25, 2009 |
| Breakfast with the Winter | Mar 19, 2009 |
| Snow and Pizza | Feb 28, 2009 |
| Winter Drumline Fundraiser | Feb 12, 2009 |
| Minne-Brass 2009 Promises to Amaze | Jan 27, 2009 |
| MBI Alum Selected Program Coordinator for Gulf Coast Sound |
Jan 25, 2009 |
| Drum Major Tryouts | Jan 9, 2009 |
| A Great Start | Jan 4, 2009 |
News Archive
MBI to perform in 4th of July parades - Volunteers needed!
Forest Lake Parade: Start time - 10:00 A.M.; Parade info / Location of Parade
Apple Valley Parade: Start time - 1:00 P.M.; Parade info / Location of Parade
Chanhassen Parade: Start time - 2:30 P.M.; Parade info / Map of parade route
MBI to perform in Fridley 49'ers parade TODAY!
Minnesota Brass will be performing in the Fridley 49'ers day parade on Thursday, June 25th.
The parade will start at 6:30 p.m.
Parade Website / Parade location
A Terrific Start
MBI began the 2009 competitive season in fine form! The corps competed in three shows close to home, receiving its first scores of the year.
On Saturday, the corps earned a 73.125 at Drum Beauty in Stillwater. The show was packed with over 3,000 fans from across the Twin Cities.
Temperatures rose on Sunday as the corps headed over to Menomonie, Wisconsin for Drums Across the Red Cedar. MBI performed in some pretty heavy rain and was one of just two corps to actually march their show before the competition was cancelled due to weather. The show was moved indoors as an exhibition for the reamining corps and no scores were posted.
Monday brought the hottest rehearsal of the year so far, but that didn't slow down MBI's performance one bit! The corps performed up close and personal with lucky Manktao fans, receiving a score of 77.375.
The corps' next performance is Thursday in Fridley, Minnesota in the famous Fridley '49ers Days Parade.
PIZZA FUNDRAISER AT CICI'S IN EAGAN
Come! Eat Pizza, socialize and make money for Minnesota Brass at:
CiCi's Pizza
1292 Town Center Drive
Eagan, MN 55123
Thursday, June 18, 2009 between the hours of 4:30 and 8:30 PM
Come to Cici's Pizza in Eagan where MBI will be hosting a fundraiser. All you have to do is have dinner with us, and Cici's will donate 15% of the gross profits for the event to MBI. The all-you-can-eat pizza, pasta and salad buffet costs ~$7, including a beverage. The fundraiser is at no extra cost to you other than your time.
To participate, all you have to do is:
- When you come into the restaurant, the cashier will ask if you are here for the fundraiser.
- Tell him/her yes and pay for your meal (about $7.00 for all you can eat salad, pasta, pizza and a beverage)
- Put your receipt in the specified container at the cashier's counter
- CiCi's gives 15% of the gross sales to MBI (this costs YOU nothing extra)!
The money raised will help with opperating expences for the summer program.
So come and have a good time, and catch up with your MBI family!
Thanks for your support.
Another Honor for MBI Great, Roger Grupp
One of Minnesota Brass's finest has earned another well-deserved honor. Roger Grupp, who performed on the field with MBI for 30 years will be inducted into the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame in Rochester, New York over Labor Day Weekend.
Roger continues to be an integral part of Minnesota Brass as one of the leaders of Minne-brass. His music career with MBI includes nearly ever possible role from teacher to arranger to lead soloist. Minnesota Brass is honored by Roger's ongoing dedication to the corps.
Visit the World Drum Corps Hall of Fame website for more information about the 2009 inductees and a detailed list of Roger's many accomplishments. Congratulations, Roger!
Join MBI on Facebook!
You can support MBI and keep in touch with everything the corps is up to on facebook! Check out the newly created fan page and follow the corps all season with photos, scores and updates.
Drill camp and Annual Alumi, Family, and Friends lunch this weekend!
Minnesota Brass will have their third drill camp this weekend, May 30-31.
- Saturday, May 30th, 2009 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
- Sunday, May 31st, 2009 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The camp will be held at Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids, MN.
Please click here for directions.
All are welcome to attend and watch the corps rehearse.
Want to help the corps out?
If you're interested, come on inside to cool off in between rehearsal segments, apply some more sunscreen, and help the corps out. Saturday and Sunday the support staff will be working on flags. Cutting, pinning, sewing. No previous experience necessary... we will train!
Along those lines - Thursday evenings we will be meeting at Irondale High School at 6 p.m. to work on flags, and could use some extra hands.
If you want to contribute but can't spare the time - we can always use donations from our wish list.
Annual Alumni, Family, and Friends Lunch
Enjoy a meal and watch the corps rehearse and give a run through of the 2009 show! If you are planning on attending, please RSVP to jodi@mnbrassinc.org so that Jodi can prepare accordingly!
And We're Off!
Minnesota Brass' 2009 competitive season got underway on Saturday, June 20 in Stillwater. The corps performed their 2009 production, Nocturne: Songs for the Night in front of over 3000 screaming drum corps fans! MBI won the all-ages portion of the show with a score of 73.125.
Minnesota Brass continues their weekend tour into Menomonie, Wisconsin on Sunday, June 21 at 6:00 p.m. at "Drums along the Red Cedar" at UW-Stout. MBI is the first corps in the line-up for this show so be sure to arrive on time!
The corps will complete its weekend tour in Mankato, Minnesota on Monday, June 22 at the "Thunder of Drums". The show start time is 6:45 p.m.
Drum Beauty information / Drums along the Red Cedar / Thunder of Drums
Drum Beauty
Stillwater, MN
Step off time: 6 p.m.
Corps Appearing:
Colt Cadets - Dubuque, IA
Racine Scouts - Racine, WI
Govenaires - St. Peter, MN
Madison Scouts - Madison, WI
Blue Stars - LaCrosse, WI
Minnesota Brass, Inc. - St. Paul, MN
Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL
Spirit - Jacksonville, AL
The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL
Directions to the show
Show website
Drums along the Red Cedar
Menomonie, WI
Step off time: 6 p.m.
Minnesota Brass, Inc. - St. Paul, MN
Racine Scouts - Racine, WI
Pioneer - Milwaukee, WI
Spirit - Jacksonville, AL
Madison Scouts - Madison, WI
Blue Stars - La Crosse, WI
Phantom Regiment - Rockford, IL
Show website
Thunder of Drums
Mankato, MN
Step off time: 6:45 p.m.
Corps Appearing:
77 Lancers - Mankato, MN
Blue Stars - LaCrosse, WI
Madison Scouts - Madison, WI
The Cavaliers - Rosemont, IL
Minnesota Brass, Inc. - St. Paul, MN
Colt Cadets - Dubuque, IA
Pioneer - Milwaukee, WI
Govenaires - St. Peter, MN
Racine Scouts - Racine, WI
Show website
Volunteer Update
Summertime is here, and MN Brass is gearing up for the performance season. The hornline, drumline and guard are practicing weekly, are attending drill camps and perfecting their show.
Are you feeling like it's time to get involved? Even for an hour?
Cindy Bach has put together a volunteer update. May’s list of activities include Drill camps, chow lines, and administrative planning. Can you put in 1 hour of time to help out and have fun? Check out the update by following the 'more' link below.
MBI Alum Roger Grupp is Honored in Buglers Hall of Fame
The Buglers Hall of Fame is proud to announce the inductees for the Class of 2009:
- Steve Buglino - Floyd Bennett Golden Eagles, Sunrisers
- Frank Buscemi - Selden Cadets and Alumni
- Ray Fallon - Oceanside Legionaires, Sunrisers
- Scott Friend - Enfield Sabres, Olympians, Matadors, Hurricanes
- Roger Grupp - Minnesota Brass
- Harry Hazelwood - Skyliners, Caballeros
- Hunter Moss - Spirit of Atlanta, CorpsVets
- Donna Mae Smith - first female bugler in the US military - WAC 1942
The Buglers Hall of Fame welcomes its new inductees and is greatly enriched by the addition of these extraordinary players.
MBI Winter Drumline Places 10th
The Minnesota Brass Winter drumline completed its season at the WGI Percussion Championships in Dayton, Ohio. The Winterline competed Friday semi-finals competition placing 9th out of 21 units with a score of 86.825 in Independent Open Class Competition. On Saturday they placed 10th in finals competition, with a score of 87.275. This year's show, titled "Synchronicity," featured music of The Police.
Congratulations on another outstanding year of performances to the MBI Winter Drumline!
2009 SPRING EXPO
Come to Highland Park Senior High School on Wednesday, April 15th at 8:00 P.M. and catch a sneak peek at what Minnesota Brass, Inc. has been up to since bringing home the 2008 DCA Second Place trophy!
- See the thirty member strong NSC Champion Winter Guard in their final performance of "Wonder Wall"
- Just back from their 2009 Winter Tour - Minne Brass
- A farewell and break-a-leg send off to Minnesota Brass Indoor drum line as they take their 2009 production, "Synchronicity," to WGI championships in Dayton, Ohio
- And the moment you've all been waiting for - the preview of "Nocturne - Songs of the Night" by the full MBI horn and drum lines
If you are a 2008 alum and have not already done so, pick up your DCA hardware, a classic collectible cloisonn pin commemorating Brass's best finish - to date - at DCA Finals. And all alumni should bring cameras to get pictures taken with YOUR Second Place trophy. Nowhere else can you get this much entertainment in one evening for FREE!
In addition to four world-class performances, the souvenir table will be available so you can deck yourself out in MBI wear.
This is your only opportunity to see all of these Minnesota Brass performance groups in one place, so mark your calendar now and make sure you attend the 2009 Spring Expo!
MINNE-BRASS WOWS SDCA!
Minne-Brass embarked on its 2009 North American tour last weekend as participants in the inaugural weekend of the Small Drum Corps Association (SDCA). The group performed in the Midwest's first "arena" drums corps show, which is akin to winter drumline or winter colorguard.
True arena drum corps involves marching drill, however, being more of a stand-around-and-wow-'em group, Minne-Brass relied on its audience-pleasing repertoire and talented members to shine through.
For members, the weekend began Friday evening with a 6-hour drive to Green Bay where the group housed. A caravan drove to Menominee, Michigan (yes, a different Menomonie that loves drum corps!) the next morning for a short rehearsal and Drums in the North show. The lineup included Menominee's Northernaires; the Blue Saints from Sudbury, Ontario; and the Chicago Royal Airs. Another group, the Twilight Knights, could not attend. Rumor has it their director passed away suddenly, so our condolences go out to them.
Minne-Brass was third to perform to a packed house. After playing a warm-up song, For All We Know, to a grateful back-bleacher audience, the group delighted the crowd with their 2009 show titled "Animated Adventures in Brass" featuring theme songs to Jonny Quest, Batman (the Michael Keaton version), and The Incredibles.
SDCA is trying a novel judging system. Judges are present to provide suggestions for improvement, but winners are determined by popular vote. Like American Idol, audience members text their votes to a secret number given out at the end of the show. (Corps members are not present while the number is announced, to avoid a huge skew in the votes.)
Minne-Brass was awarded champions at the first show! To celebrate, the Northernaires hosted a party at a local banquet hall. The festivities began in the afternoon and continued back to the hotel where Minne-Brass members continued to socialize in a hotel room (an advantage to having a relatively small group.)
Sunday's show was in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, home to the Twilight Knights. SDCA had taken over the show due to the show sponsors' circumstances and did their best to make the event run smoothly. Unfortunately, the show was not publicized well and a rather miniscule crowd attended. The corps didn't use this as an excuse to dampen their performances, though, and showed improvements from Saturday's event.
After concluding with the mass piece, Climb Every Mountain, members packed up and made the trek back to Minnesota. The weekend was deemed a success, considering the quality of Minne-Brass performances and the fun times spent in each others' company.
Minne-Brass will have its next performance on April 15 for the annual spring preview show with Minnesota Brass. Watch www.mnbrassinc.org for more information about the event.
For booking or other information about Minne-Brass contact one of these superheroes:
Roger Grupp
Todd Tanji
Brent Turner
To learn more about the Small Drum Corps Association, visit www.TheSDCA.org.
Breakfast with the Winter
Friends, family alumni and members of Minnesota Brass - your help is needed to support our 2 winter programs - the drumline and color guard. This Saturday, March 21st, there will be a pancake breakfast fundraiser at the Applebee's in St. Anthony from 8 - 10 AM. For $6.00 - five of it gets donated to the programs - you will get pancakes, eggs, sausage and orange juice or coffee.
Applebee's breakfast - you're asking yourself??? YES - breakfast at Applebee's with drum corps friends and family. Can it get any better? YES - because Applebee's - a member of the IHOP family - will be using IHOP products. Yummmmm - those fluffy pancakes It's going to be great food and fun.
Breakfast will be served from 8 - 10 AM, and no later, because the great folks at Applebee's need to get ready for lunch. This is an easy way to help the winter programs stay successful. Remember 5 dollars from each ticket sold will come back to MBI. So gather the entire family, and grab a couple of neighbors too, and come have Breakfast with Winter.
See you there - and come hungry!
Applebee's St. Anthony
2800 39th Ave NW
About a block off Stinson Blve near Apache Plaza
Snow and Pizza
While Mother Nature "snowed" on our parade (there was about 6 inches by 6 PM), a number of brave MBI supporters came out and had dinner at CiCi's Pizza, in Eagan, MN in support of the Winter Drumline. For those that braved the snow - thanks very much! (It was somewhat easy for individuals in the Eagan/Inver Grove Heights area to get there - not sure about when they went home!).
While I am not sure it was successful as it was originally hoped, the management there was asking all patrons to deposit their receipts in their fundraiser bin. MBI will get 15% of the net sales as a donation and (unfortunately), the weather is going to impact attendance and sales. The good news - the manager was apologetic (not that he could control the weather either!) and said we can sign up for another event in the future (for which someone else can plan the weather). We will certainly plan on that (so watch for a posting).
Thanks again for all that came out for this event!
Winter Drumline Fundraiser
The Winter Drumline is holding a fundraiser at:
CiCi's Pizza
1292 Town Center Drive, Eagan, MN
February 26, 2009 between the hours of 4:30 and 8:30 PM
- Come into the restaurant, the cashier will ask if you are here for the fundraiser.
- Tell him/her yes and pay for your meal (about $7.00 for all you can eat salad, pasta, pizza and a beverage)
- Put your receipt in the specified container at the cashier's counter
- CiCi's gives 15% of the gross sales to MBI's drumline!
The money raised will help the drumline earn their way to the WGI finals in Dayton, OH.
Thanks for your support.
Minne-Brass 2009 Promises to Amaze
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Minne-Brass promises to amaze drum corps and mini-corps fans in 2009 with “Animated Adventures in Brass,” a musical insight into animated and comic book heroes. But be warned – this is not a performance for the faint of heart! The show opens amidst the primitive jungles and relentless rhythms of the 1960s Saturday morning adventure hit, Jonny Quest. Next, a cluster of foreboding chords create a world where good and evil intimately intertwine as Batman battles twisted criminals in Gotham City’s darkest corners. Eventually, the hero emerges victorious, but definitely disturbed. From there, the ensemble dives headlong into a stunning version of music from The Incredibles, full of excitement and humor. |
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Minne-Brass directors, arrangers, and trumpet-heads are Roger Grupp and Todd Tanji. Regular guest artists include Andy Classen (Drake University Trumpet and Jazz Professor), and Ray Vasquez (Trumpet and Jazz instructor from Auburn University). Rounding out the trumpet section are Pat Ahern, Tina Cavitt, John Ebert, Nate Mitchell, and Curt Zoerhof. Mellophones are Jackie Bechtold, Tom Holman, John Horst, and Beckie Warren. The Minne-Brass baritones are Pat Byrne, Cindy Tischhauser, Larry Wasz, and Dave Whitaker. Tubas are Jerry Sherohman and Dennis Tishhauser, and the percussionist is Lee Portz. Brent Turner is the group’s musical conductor. Minne-Brass is the 20-member mini-corps of world championship second-place finalist Minnesota Brass. The group is proud of its competitive history, having taken championship honors in 1999 and 2005. The group competes in arena corps events, and performs fundraisers and promotional events for Minnesota Brass throughout the year. For booking or other information contact one of these Minne-Brass superheros:
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MBI Alum Selected Program Coordinator
for Gulf Coast Sound
Former MBI player, drill writer, instructor, Brassy winner and corps director Richard (Dik) Buelow has been announced as the new Program Coordinator for our friends at Gulf Coast Sound of Houston, Texas. The corps announced:
Richard (Dik) Buelow, the new Program Coordinator, has 40 years of experience as a music instructor, marching band and drum corps performer, designer, and adjudicator in DCA, the Central States Judges Association, and the Florida Marching Band Coalition. In addition he has been the Corps Director for three organizations, including the renowned Minnesota Brass Inc. GCS is absolutely thrilled to have Mr. Buelow on board this season. As successful as GCS has been in recent years, we believe Mr. Buelow may be the missing link needed to get the Corps to the next level.
Congratulations to Dik and everyone at Gulf Coast Sound!
Drum Major Tryouts
Minnesota Brass will be holding tryouts for this season's drummajor(s).
Applications are due today.
Requirements for Audition: A strong sense of musicality and tempo control, passion for Minnesota Brass, flawless work effort, leadership ability, flexibility, previous conducting experience, ability to understand both brass and percussion music, and a strong presence on the podium.
If you are interested in auditioning, please visit this thread on our forums for information on the application process. Applications are due by January 21, 2009.
If you have any questions, email our Program Coordinator Joel Matuzak.
A Great Start
The 2009 edition of Minnesota Brass Inc. got off to an incredible start during our Open House on Saturday, January 3. Well over 150 performers, volunteers and alums were on hand to kick off the corps' 63rd season! Corps director Ann Jones summed up the afternoon perfectly: "Playing music - dancing and moving - seeing old friends - making new friends - sharing a meal. All the things we love to do, and best of all we got to do them together."
Regular rehearsals begin Wednesday, January 7 at 6:45 p.m. Those who joined us at the Open House should plan to return; those who were unable to join us Saturday should show up. There's still room for YOU to be a part of Minnesota Brass in 2009!
Winter rehearsals are held at Highland Park High School in Saint Paul. Contact us if you have any questions. See ya Wednesday!