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Oct 26 2014
1

Mark Santori wins 2014 Brassy lifetime achievement award

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments
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Mark Santori

Minnesota Brass has honored Mark Santori, a longtime member of its brass staff, as this year’s recipient of the Brassy, the corps’ lifetime achievement award.

“It’s hard to put into words what winning the Brassy means to me,” Mark said about winning the corps’ highest honor. “The names on the trophy are the giants of Minnesota Brass, people who devoted much time and passion to the corps, and their contributions are quite extraordinary. I have certainly given a lot of time over my 21 seasons of involvement, but I have never considered my efforts to be extraordinary; I was just doing my job. I am humbly grateful that the past Brassy winners decided to invite me into their exclusive club, and I am truly honored.”

Mark joined Minnesota Brass as a baritone player in 1992, when he was studying music education at the University of Minnesota. He played in other sections of the hornline or taught on the horn staff in most of the following years, before joining the staff permanently in 2009. When he’s not with Minnesota Brass, Mark teaches elementary band in the Twin Cities’ south-suburban Independent School District 196.

Mark received his award Friday night at Minnesota Brass’ end-of-season banquet. Here are the other awards that were announced at the annual event:

Color guard caption awards
Rookie of the year: Carissa Phelps
Most improved: Kiersten Sloneker
Member of the year: Jonathan Su

Visual caption awards
Rookie of the year: Kevin Lindorfer
Most improved: Sam Dobs
Member of the year: Andy Campbell

Hornline caption awards
Rookie of the year: Jessa Hohnstein
Most improved: Mimmie Sjoberg
Member of the year: Eric Crawford

Percussion caption awards
Rookie of the year: James Schuster
Most improved: Emily Ruetz
Member of the year: Joe Asleson

Lou Raitch Spirit of MBI Award: Katy Bensen
Caliguiri Award: Dennis Tischhauser
Director’s Appreciation Award: Howie Mogil

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This year’s Brassy winner, Mark Santori, center, is shown with some of the previous recipients of the corps’ lifetime achievement award, from left: Matt Kettelhut, Gavin Burnham, Joel Matuzak, Sherry Duggan, Eric Molho, Dick Maki, Kathy Burnham, Tom Jones, Rick Stephenson, Gwynne Byrne, Al Jensen, Susan Fisher, Paul Mordorski, Kurt Schiebel, Shirley Munz, Jodi Pawlenty and David Whitaker. (Photo: Gopher Photo)

Oct 20 2014
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Your chance to be amazing begins Oct. 25 & 26

By | Indoor Drumline, MBI Winterguard | No Comments

602910_684460584900012_509146246_nWant to be part of something special? Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline and MBI Winter Guard will launch their 2015 seasons this weekend, Oct. 25 and 26. Talented percussionists and color-guard performers interested in joining — or just learning more about — these elite indoor ensembles should plan to attend a day of rehearsal and fun.

Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline kicks off the weekend with its first audition on Saturday, Oct. 25, from noon to 8 p.m. Auditions will be held at Park Center High School in Brooklyn Park. Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline competes in WGI World Class events across the Upper Midwest and the WGI World Championships in Dayton, Ohio. Audition packets are available for the battery and front ensemble.

MBI Winter Guard begins its fifth season on Sunday, Oct. 26.  Join them from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the White Bear Lake Armory in 10406783_794639527244318_4301014674136767814_nWhite Bear Lake for a day of spinning and dancing as we set the cast for what promises to be an incredible 2015 season. Even if you’re just looking to try the MBI experience and learn some new twirls, you too are welcome.  MBI Winter Guard is open to performers aged 16 to 22 and competes on the North Star and WGI circuits.  All equipment will be provided on Sunday, but if you have something you prefer to spin, please feel free to bring it. Be sure to wear black rehearsal attire, too.

There is a $25 audition fee for each event.

Oct 01 2014
0

Play bingo and help Minnesota Brass

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

10490068_10152285402412115_5153882032641422108_oHave a blast playing bingo, and help support Minnesota Brass!

In partnership with our charitable gaming site, Joe Senser’s Sports Theater in Roseville, Minnesota Brass is excited to announce our first Coach Purse Bingo night. This fun event provides a unique twist on the classic game — bingo with Coach purses as prizes. That’s right: Individual winners of each game win an authentic Coach purse.

The action starts at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 7 at Senser’s (2350 Cleveland Ave. N., Roseville) and continues the first Tuesday of every month after. There will be 10 games. Cards cost $20 for the first set of six cards and $4 for an additional set of three cards. (Must be 18 or older to play.)

All proceeds benefit Minnesota Brass.

We hope you can join us!

Sep 22 2014
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Katy Bensen named managing director for Minnesota Brass

By | Drum & Bugle Corps, Indoor Drumline, MBI Winterguard | One Comment
Katy Bensen

Katy Bensen

Minnesota Brass is pleased to announce that Katy Bensen has been appointed to the new position of managing director for Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps, Indoor Winter Drumline and Winter Guard.

This new leadership position grew out of the organization’s reflections on how to best serve its many members while effectively managing multiple world-class organizations. In her new capacity, Katy will support each ensemble’s commitment to providing an unparalleled membership experience.

“We’re delighted Katy will be joining the admin team,” said Eric Molho, executive director of Minnesota Brass.  “She is a strong leader and great teacher.”

Katy joined the Minnesota Brass family in 1989, playing the French horn bugle for her first of two years marching with the corps.  She also performed with Phantom Regiment Drum and Bugle Corps in 1990 and 1991.  Two years ago Katy returned to Minnesota Brass as a member of the visual staff. She also served as membership coordinator in 2014.

This fall Katy began her teaching career as a band director at White Bear Lake Central Middle School and as a kindergarten music instructor at Otter Lake Elementary School, both part of White Bear Lake Area School District. Her career also includes many years in restaurant and event management.

Sep 17 2014
3

Joe Asleson named director of Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline

By | Indoor Drumline | No Comments
Joe Asleson

Joe Asleson

Minnesota Brass is pleased to announce that Joe Asleson is the new director of Minnesota Brass Indoor Drumline. As a long-time Minnesota Brass Indoor staff member, Joe will continue to bring his passion and experience to our world-class organization.

In 2014, Joe was voted Instructor of the Year by the Minnesota Percussion Association. He serves as the percussion caption head and battery arranger for the Eden Prairie High School Marching Band, as well as battery arranger and visual designer for the Eden Prairie Indoor Drumline. For the 2012 and 2013 seasons, he served as snare technician as well as battery visual instructor and choreographer for the Colts Drum & Bugle Corps of Dubuque, Iowa. He has instructed and designed at various high schools in Minnesota and offers private lessons to several students in the Twin Cities area.

Joe just wrapped up another season as a snare section leader with Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps, where he first performed in 2005. He also was section leader for the 2010 season, when the corps earned high percussion honors. In 2008, he performed with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps, serving as snare section leader for his age-out season. He performed with Minnesota Brass Indoor in its inaugural season in 2008 and with Music City Mystique (bronze medalist) in 2009.