The Minnesota Brass Board of Directors has set the Annual Meeting for 7:00 PM on Wednesday, November 3rd at Olsen Thielen (2675 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN 55113). The Annual Meeting is open to all who wish to attend.
Upon the conclusion of the meeting, please join the board for an optional cocktail hour at Grumpy’s (2801 Snelling Ave, Roseville, MN 55113).
This year marks the 10th anniversary of Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps’ DCA World Championship victory. In celebration of bringing home the gold, please join us for a very special reunion with food, drinks, friends, and a viewing of MBI’s 2011 championship-winning production Valhalla.
All alumni members of any year and families are welcome to attend. Please RSVP here.
(Minnesota Brass Alumni Page) or message Gretchen Mae Church via Facebook.
DATE: Wednesday, August 25th
TIME: 6:00PM – 9:00PM
LOCATION: Sunnyside Pavillion 10145 E Bush Lake Rd, Bloomington, MN 55438
Rick Stephenson 07/23/1944-03/19/2021
In a drum corps career touching six decades, Rick marched and instructed drum corps from the late 1950’s to the early 2000’s. He started in his hometown of Austin, MN with the Austin Lancers and the Spamtown Lancers in the 1950’s. While attending the University of Minnesota, he marched with the St. Paul Scouts from 1964-1966. After a tour of duty in the Navy in Vietnam and then work in Texas, Rick returned to Minnesota. He began marching with MBI in the early 1970’s, playing to the end of the 1990’s. During that time he played soprano, mellophone, and finally baritone. He was a well-respected player by those who played alongside him.
Rick’s contributions to MBI went far beyond performing: he was Corps Director in 1977, and a visual instructor and Show Coordinator in the early 1980’s. Rick’s teaching contributions extended beyond MBI, writing and teaching visual to the St. Croix Rivermen in their most successful period (1979-80), and also the Zuhrah Shrine Drum Corps into the early 2000’s.
A spirited, very well-liked individual with a quick wit, Rick was one of several who helped to usher in the transformation MBI experienced in the mid-1980’s, which set in motion a 30 year period of success for MBI on and off the field.
For All We Know
Tribute written by MBI Alum Henry Wadsworth
Andrew Angle July 18, 1977 – January 31, 2021
Andrew Angle – a huge personality in the Minnesota Marching Band community and longtime Minnesota Brass Visual Caption Head passed away unexpectedly over the weekend. He is survived by his wife Jessica, whom he met in MBI. Andrew was known as a passionate contributor to the marching arts community both nationally and in Minnesota as a teacher, designer, judge, and clinician.
Andrew had a huge impact on the visual program at MBI during his time with the corps. He was a meticulously driven teacher who pushed members to perform beyond where they thought that they could. In addition to his high school and DCI instruction, Andrew was instrumental in bringing the Minnesota Brass visual program to the upper echelon of the All-Age drum and bugle corps activity from 2008-2014. Andrew was a large contributor for the designs of the corps in that era as well and brought a higher level of accountability to the design team.
Andrew’s passion and commitment to excellence were well known, but he was also known for his sense of humor and gregarious personality that was very motivational for the Corps during his tenure. Andrew had a larger than life demeanor that carried him through everywhere that he worked. His impact at MBI and on the Minnesota Marching Arts community is immense.
As a professional and as our friend, we will miss Andrew . “For All We Know,”
March 19, 1974 – December 9, 2020
Greg Guffey – a longtime teacher, designer and friend to Minnesota Brass, lost his brief battle with cancer peacefully this morning. He is survived by his wife Kim and children Evan and Nora. The memorials across Facebook speak to Greg’s contribution to the marching arts nationally and in Minnesota as a teacher, designer, judge, and clinician.
Greg met his wife Kim while working with the Madison Scouts and moved to Minnesota in the late 1990’s to work in marketing design. He began teaching with MBI in 2001 as a marching instructor and served on the design team as Visual Caption Head from 2003-2007.
Greg had a huge impact on our members during his time with the corps. He was a great teacher who pushed members to perform at their highest levels. He was a passionate motivator and leader during his time with MBI and many members speak of the huge impact that he had on them. Greg was diligent in bringing in a professional staff to work with Minnesota Brass and the corps improved greatly during his tenure. He was insistent that the design be at the highest level and yet, something that could be mastered by the members.
Greg was always kind and generous with those around him. He taught with professionalism and a giving heart. Greg became an integral part of the MBI Family and he will be missed by all who knew him. His impact here on the Minnesota Marching Arts is immeasurable.
As a professional and as our friend, Greg’s passing leaves us with a heavy heart. The words of our corps song “For All We Know,” certainly ring true today.
Remember Kim, Evan and Nora in your prayers. Donations are being received at:
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a Minnesota State Arts Board Operating Support grant, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.
