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Eric Molho

Minnesota Brass Seeks Stakeholder Engagement Consultant

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

Minnesota Brass seeks a consultant or consultants to assist in gathering input from stakeholders and experts regarding the future of our performing ensembles.  The consultant will be required to complete the following tasks outlined in the request for proposal.

  1. Conduct focus groups
  2. Write and administer two online surveys
  3. Conduct individual interviews
  4. Write a summary report based on the data gathered in tasks 1-3

Work will be conducted in June-August, 2018.

We are committed to listening to and learning from key stakeholders including alumni, staff and music educators.  To assure consistent, unbiased data-gathering, the consultant will be responsible for gathering feedback and summarizing input.  The full RFP is available online and proposals are due June 8, 2018.

Check it out! May 18 Launch Event for SoundSport/Drumline Battle

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

Our launch event for potential new SoundSport AND DrumBattle ensembles will be this Friday, May 18 at 7 p.m.  The event will be held at 2700 Winter Street in NE Minneapolis (the ‘Sears rehearsal site’ familiar to MBI alumni).  Potential members in any section including brass, percussion and color guard should plan on attending.  This will be a great opportunity to meet key members of the staff and prepare for a fun summer moving and playing.  Please complete an information form as soon as possible to indicate your interest!

As previously announced, Minnesota Brass is excited to explore launching a new SoundSport ensemble to perform at regional events and the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.  If interest warrants, a DrumBattle ensemble may also be launched for percussionists!

Joel Matuzak will lead the program design for both ensembles.  Brass instructors include Paul Terry, Mark Santori and John Devine.  Jordan Warfield will provide leadership for the visual program.  Trevor Alwan will serve as director of the ensembles coordinating staff and administrative needs.

The schedule for the SoundSport unit will require regular Friday night rehearsals and some weekend performances.  The DrumBattle ensemble will rehearse on Saturday with weekend performances as well.  The launch of both ensembles will be contingent on the interest-level and participation commitment of prospective members.  Questions?  E-mail Trevor!

Conduct Review Committee Updates MBI Stakeholders

By | Drum & Bugle Corps, Indoor Drumline, MBI Winterguard, Minne-Brass, Winds | No Comments

Minnesota Brass Inc. (MBI) has recently reaffirmed its commitment to a safe environment for all members and staff.  MBI has since established a Conduct Review Committee (CRC) to review any and all allegations of inappropriate behavior. The CRC has an Open Door policy and is the watchdog for violations of MBI policy,  The CRC has already begun review and investigations of various allegations of inappropriate behavior.  In addition, the CRC has prepared an update that specifically addresses issues involved with reporting, whether anonymous or named, and now offers a new, confidential online reporting form.  Because submitting a report can often be difficult, the CRC wants to reassure those contemplating making a report that they have a voice and a safe haven for reporting violations of MBI policy.  Please feel free to review the CRC update and see the confidential online reporting form here.

Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps to go Inactive in 2018

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | 8 Comments

The Minnesota Brass, Inc. leadership and its board of directors have decided not to field a competitive drum and bugle corps for the 2018 summer season. Despite the outstanding work of the artistic staff, marching members and the administrative team thus far this year, the corps has not been able to recruit a large enough base of brass members to field a summer program that meets the historically high performance standards audiences expect from Minnesota Brass.

The board has invited staff and existing members to explore the potential of creating a SoundSport ensemble that would perform at the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 11. An informational meeting regarding the potential SoundSport ensemble will be held on Saturday, April 28, from 9 to 11 a.m. at Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids, Minn.

“The decision to withdraw from the 2018 competitive drum corps season was a very difficult one,” said Todd Tanji, Minnesota Brass executive director. “Unfortunately, the competitive drum corps activity has experienced a decline in members and audiences over the past several seasons, and we’re feeling the pressure in Minnesota as well.”

The corps elaborated on some of the reasons for the decision:

  • Minnesota Brass has had difficulty recruiting enough members for the brass section.
  • The Drum Corps Associates (DCA) competitive schedule is both a recruiting and strategic challenge that puts the organization at odds with high-school and college music programs, particularly over the Labor Day weekend when DCA holds its championship competition. This has limited the corps’ ability to create beneficial partnerships with music educators at the high-school and college levels.
  • Retention of multi-year veteran members has declined in recent years adding complications to our recruiting efforts
  • It is expensive for potential members to participate in the ensemble despite significant subsidies the organization uses to keep member dues far below the actual costs of running the drum corps.
  • It is increasingly challenging to recruit and retain talented, committed staff to lead all sections. We have been extremely fortunate to have stable, long-standing staff leadership in some aspects of the program, but other commitments of musical educators have become more prevalent in recent years.

Minnesota Brass Inc., a vibrant drum and bugle corps entity in Minnesota for more than 70 years, remains a healthy and viable performing-arts organization with stable finances and committed leadership. We anticipate no changes to our existing winter color guard and percussion ensembles. The board will be conducting a comprehensive review of the organization’s strategy in the coming months.

Minnesota Brass will continue to uphold its commitments to Drum Corps International as local partners for the 2018 summer events DCI Minnesota and March On! However, the organization will not sponsor the Sounds of Minnesota event this year.

For more information contact:

Eric Molho
Chair, Board of Directors
eric@mnbrass.org

Goodbye winter, hello Dayton

By | Indoor Drumline, MBI Winterguard | No Comments

Join Minnesota Brass on Sunday, April 8, as we present the winter finale featuring MBI Indoor Percussion and MBI Winter Guard as they present their 2018 programs prior to heading to Dayton, Ohio, for WGI championships.

Both the winter drumline and color guard are on incredible trajectories, poised to make an impact at WGI Finals. These are performances you simply need to experience. And if you haven’t seen them recently, you’ll be taken aback. Every performance unveils something new.

For a $5 donation, you will witness the best winter ensembles in Minnesota.  Your donation helps pay facility fees and support Minnesota Brass ensembles. Kids under 10 are admitted free.

Location: Brooklyn Center High School (main gym)
Date: Sunday, April 8
Time: 2-3 p.m.
Admission: $5 (kids under 10 free)