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All Posts By

Eric Molho

Dec 18 2018
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Katy Matuzak Named MBI Executive Director

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

The Minnesota Brass, Inc. board of directors hired Katy Matuzak (formerly Bensen) to serve as executive director of the organization at its meeting on Dec. 17. Her predecessor, Jeremy Semler, is no longer with the organization.

Matuzak has served in numerous leadership capacities over the past five years and has been a longtime performing member and leader in the organization. She currently is director of MBI Indoor Percussion and served as co-director of the drum and bugle corps in 2017. She can be reached at director@mnbrass.org.

The summer Drum Corps 2019 season launches on Wednesday, February 6th, with openings in brass, percussion and color guard.

Oct 26 2018
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Auditions Kick Off MBI Indoor Season

By | Indoor Drumline | No Comments

Minnesota Brass’ MBI Indoor Percussion will open its 2019 campaign with day 1 of auditions on Saturday, Oct. 27. Interested percussionists ages 16 to 22 are invited to attend the event from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Totino-Grace High School in Fridley, Minn., north of Minneapolis. Register now!

According to director Katy Bensen, more than 85 individuals already have expressed interest in the ensemble’s 35-plus positions. The group will attend the Minnesota Percussion Association’s (MPA) Day of Percussion on Jan. 5, 2019, at the Ted Mann Concert Hall at the University of Minnesota. Its first contest is set for Feb. 2, 2019, at Eagan High School. The ensemble also plans to attend the WGI regional contest in Omaha, Neb., in February.

MBI Indoor Drumline prides itself on providing a premier member experience focusing on the development of its members as performers and people. As the only Independent World Class percussion ensemble in the region, they strive to create engaging and emotional programs that push performers’ abilities and provide an opportunity to perform with the best of the best.

MBI Indoor is an indoor percussion ensemble sponsored by Minnesota Brass Inc. It competes as a member of both MPA and WGI Percussion. They have been Independent Open silver medalists, as well as World Class finalists and have earned numerous other accolades locally and regionally. A second session of auditions is slated for Nov. 11, also at Totino-Grace.

The MBI Indoor staff also includes Joel Matuzak, program coordinator/arranger; Matt Ferry, front ensemble coordinator/arranger; Mike Ferry, ensemble coordinator; Joe Asleson, visual designer, and Angela Haugejorden, choreographer. Other staff members are Tiffany Kostuch (visual technician), Joe Pfau and Joe Jaeger (co-battery coordinators), Austin Murra, Nick “Taco” Edwards, Jordan Jergenson, Vlad Boz, Joey Wattenhofer and Jake Esterberg (battery technicians), Erin VanBurkleo (front ensemble supervisor), Mackenzie Steinberg, Alex St. Clair and Ellie Mehr (front ensemble technicians), Bridger Herman (audio engineer) and Alli Wilmes (front ensemble consultant). Visit our web page for more information.

Sep 27 2018
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Annual Meeting: October 17

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

Minnesota Brass Incorporated will hold its Annual Meeting on Wednesday evening, October 17 from 7:30 – 9 p.m. at the offices of Olsen-Theilin 2675 Long Lake Rd, Roseville, Minnesota, 55113.  The Annual Meeting is required by the organization’s by-laws and will include a review of the financial health and programs for Minnesota Brass Incorporated.

In addition, the 2018 Annual Meeting will include an update on the ongoing development of new leaders and volunteers to guide the organization in the future.

The meeting is open to all.  Alumni and interested stakeholders are strongly encouraged to attend.

Sep 27 2018
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Excitement Builds for 2019: Help Wanted!

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

At the Town Hall meeting on September 27, over 50 individuals participated in a discussion regarding the future of Minnesota Brass.  The leadership team shared the results of the recent stakeholder engagement process and made explicit the organization’s need for new volunteers.  2019 offers an opportunity for the organization to develop new leadership, new roles and new excitement for the future.

Specifically, the organization is seeing new administrative leadership, new potential board members and new volunteers.

ADMINISTATIVE POSITIONS

Minnesota Brass is hiring for three positions to for the 2018-19 artistic season.

This new team will ultimately be responsible for creating a shared vision for Minnesota Brass’s next chapter.  They have an opportunity to leverage our many strengths as an organization and chart the course for the future.  Previous experience with Minnesota Brass is not required.  For the organization to thrive in 2019 and beyond, we need an energetic, passionate group of leaders who are ready to build the future.

These roles are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the organization, primarily focused on the needs of the summer drum corps but supporting multiple ensembles as required.  Candidates must be flexible, detail-oriented, highly organized, able to prioritize, be self-motivated and able to work well with others.  These positions could be the ideal part-time position for a professional artist, entry-level arts administrator or home-based parent.  All positions will receive a modest stipend.

Executive Director:  Responsible for administration, fundraising, marketing and hiring key artistic staff

Operations Director:  Responsible for securing facilities, coordinating schedules and managing equipment

Membership Director:  Responsible for recruiting members, membership records, policy compliance and alumni relations

See this earlier post for more information.

BOARD POSITIONS

Minnesota Brass is seeking to grow the board of directors with a particular emphasis on age, gender and racial diversity to better reflect our community.  The board is responsible for the strategy and long-term vision of the organization.  Additionally, the board is responsible for the financial health of the organization and is ultimately responsible for resource development (fundraising) and supervising the administrative team.  The board will have many large issues on its plate in the future and will require strategic thinkers who are able to see the long-term view.

Potential board members can complete an online application via this link. 

VOLUNTEERS

Minnesota Brass is seeking to grow its cadre of active volunteers to support all our ensembles.  These assignments may include projects or one-time opportunities to help.

To share your talents with Minnesota Brass, click this link. 

Sep 22 2018
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Stakeholder Engagement Report Available

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

This summer the Minnesota Brass Board of Directors contracted with Red House Consulting to gather an independent, objective overview of our stakeholder’s perspectives. They have concluded their work and we are pleased to share their final report with anyone interested in reading their input gathered from focus groups and surveys.

We will host a Town Hall meeting on Wednesday Sept. 26, 2018 at 6:30 p.m., for all those interested in the future of Minnesota Brass. At the meeting, we will review the report and discuss the critical need for alumni and members to step forward in volunteer and leadership roles. The Town Hall meeting will be held at the offices of Olsen-Thielen & Co., 2675 Long Lake Road, Roseville, Minn., 55113.

The stakeholder engagement report outlines many issues facing Minnesota Brass. For some of these, there is clear consensus among our alumni and supporters. For other issues, we do not all agree.

One of the organization’s pressing issues is new leadership. As the report articulates, “MBI’s impending board and administrative leadership transition is a source of concern (where will the leaders come from? Will they have what they need to succeed?) and of opportunity (this is a chance to recruit individuals with the skills, ideas, and energy MBI needs to thrive and survive).” The board has announced plans to hire three new administrative leaders to move the work forward. Applications for these positions are due October 5, 2018. Detailed job descriptions are now available online. (Click the highlighted text to access the job descriptions.)

This new team will ultimately be responsible for creating a shared vision for Minnesota Brass’s next chapter. They have an opportunity to leverage our many strengths as an organization and chart the course for the future. I hope you will consider stepping up to take on one of these roles or encourage talented individuals in your network to do so. Previous experience with Minnesota Brass is not required. For the organization to thrive in 2019 and beyond, we need an energetic, passionate group of leaders who are ready to build the future.

In addition to the new administrative team, we will also be adding new members to the board of directors in the coming months. At the Town Hall meeting, there will be details about how to be considered for membership on the board. The board will have many large issues on its plate in the future and will require strategic thinkers who are able to see the long-term view. We especially need age, gender and racial diversity on our board to better reflect our community.

The opportunity now exists to bring this amazing organization back to the field in 2019. But it will not be accomplished by a small group. Everyone who cares about MBI and its future can take part in a great 2019 season. THIS WON’T WORK WITHOUT YOU!