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Drum & Bugle Corps

MBI Summer rehearsals on hold.

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Due to the Covid-19 Pandemic and cancelling of the DCI summer schedule, summer rehearsals for Minnesota Brass Drum and Bugle Corps are on hold. The hope is that there remains an option for a limited performance opportunity later in the summer. The winter ensembles and summer 2021 drum and bugle corps are still on schedule as planned. Please stay tuned for future announcements and dates. MBI hopes that you and your family are safe in these trying times.

Introducing MBI 2020 Corps Director – Sam Springer

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Minnesota Brass is proud to announce the hiring of Sam Springer as the Corps Director for the summer Drum and Bugle Corps.

“Sam, being an alumni of MBI, understands the history and potential of our organization. She also brings a wealth of experience in the marching arts activity and will be a great asset in creating the best membership experience possible. We are lucky to have her!” – Katy Matuzak, MBI Executive Director

The first rehearsal will be held after the WGI winter season has concluded at 6:30 P.M. on April 22, at Inver Hills Community College. MBI has openings for Brass, Percussion and Colorguard members for the 2020 season.

“Drum Corps For All” means: all-age, all-experience levels and an emphasis on work, school, financial, and family balance.

Visit https://mnbrass.org/join/ for more information. See you Wednesday, April 22!

Minnesota Brass, Inver Hills Community College embark on partnership

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Minnesota Brass Inc. (MBI) and Inver Hills Community College of Inver Grove Heights, Minn., have embarked on discussions aimed at a music-education partnership that would further their respective missions.

“We are thrilled about the potential of a long-term relationship with Inver Hills Community College,” said Katy Matuzak, Minnesota Brass executive director. “MBI has a strong connection to education, and the ability to partner with such a fine educational institution is a natural fit. It has been wonderful to have this partnership. We are excited for the future and eager to see what lies ahead for both organizations.”

Inver Hills has made both rehearsal and performance space available to the St. Paul-based musical-education organization over the past year. Discussion points include expanded and joint performance opportunities and increased community involvement.

“I and other here interested in putting ‘community’ back into community college,” said music professor and head of the Inver Hills music department Andrew Martin. “To me it’s a natural fit. We have available space, (Minnesota Brass) needs space to be loud in – especially during the wintertime. “So far,” he added, “the partnership seems to be fitting what we wanted it to be: bringing in a community organization, bringing energy onto the campus, and bringing something to this area of the southeast metro that it didn’t have before. When groups are here there’s action, and that’s important for onlookers to see the importance of community-arts organizations.”

Barbara Curchack, Dean of Liberal Arts at Inver Hills, said, “We are excited by the partnership we are developing with Minnesota Brass. It is fortunate that our gym, classrooms and outdoor spaces meet Minnesota Brass’ needs, so this is a win-win for Inver Hills as well. “With two Minnesota Brass performances on our campus, I’ve heard nothing but positivity from the music faculty. “Further, we thank Minnesota Brass, as they have carried our banner in the State Fair parade and mentored one of our Music AFA interns this summer. We look forward to the opportunity to continue to develop our partnership in this academic year and beyond.”

A tip of the shako to sponsors, fans and volunteers

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As Minnesota Brass puts the lid on a highly successful 2019 season – finishing second at the DCI SoundSport International Music & Food Festival in Indianapolis in August – the organization would like to thank its sponsors for the support.

Several events and other opportunities materialize annually making a successful season a challenge every year – and 2019 was no exception. From presenting Drum Corps International contests in Menomonie, Wis., and Farmington, Minn., to funding new instruments and covering travel expenses, our sponsors, committed fans and indispensable volunteers continue to keep the organization moving forward.

So here’s a special salute to those sponsors who made 2019 an exceptional year:

Annual Meeting: October 7

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The Minnesota Brass Board of Directors has set the annual meeting for the corporation at 7 p.m. on Monday, October 7. The meeting will be held at the offices of Olsen Theilin (2675 Long Lake Road, Roseville, MN 55113-1117).

The agenda for the meeting includes proposals to update the oganization’s bylaws, review the organization’s finances and elect new board members. The meeting is open to all and voting is open to corporate members. (Generally speaking, corporate members include the staff, volunteers and performers of a Minnesota Brass performing ensemble.)

The proposed changes to the organization’s bylaws are available online. 

The following individuals have been nominated by the board to serve on the board of directors. Cindy Bach (long time brass performer and former board member); Amanda Posten (former percussion performing and staff member); and David Whitaker (long time administrative team member and former brass performer). Per the bylaws, the membership must ratify all new board members and will vote to do so at the Annual Meeting. Full bios of nominated board members are below.

Cindy Bach

Cindy’s involvement with MBI spans five decades beginning with her first year as a baritone player in 1975 and including 2019 as a parade corps mellophone. Her musical involvement has had her performing on baritone, mellophone, trumpet, as well as a brief stint in the color guard.  She has served countless leadership roles for MBI through her years of service.  She unofficially retired from performing in 2016, but she returned to the corps of 2018.

Cindy is a licensed interior designer/project manager and has designed healthcare clinics and hospitals, retail establishments, and corporate environments. She brings a skill set of new business development, a wide variety of network contacts throughout the design industry, and a desire to see the corps thrive in a performing arts environment that is rapidly changing. Cindy is a quiet, often overlooked, but powerful champion for MBI.

Amanda Posten
Amanda graduated South Saint Paul High School after marching 2009-2012 in their winter drumline. Her experience with MBI started in 2011 with the winter drumline. She marched the summers of 2013, 2015, and 2017 on Mellophone, 2014 in the front ensemble, and aged out in 2016 with the winter drumline. Previously, she taught Andover High School Marching Band and Grove Area Percussion Winter Drumline. She’s very excited to step into a new role for Minnesota Brass and the Minnesota marching community!

Dave Whitaker
Dave first joined MBI in 1990 in the Baritone section, sharing a spot with Cindy Bach (also nominated for a board term). Since then, Dave was a performing member for six scattered years, a member of the visual staff, and performed other administrative and technical roles. His  previous leadership with the organization includes serving on the board, as member and chair, for 15+ years, and as a part of the executive team for the past 10+ years. Dave is excited to return to the board to share his experience, and to ensure a secure future for the organization.