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2019 Archives - Page 2 of 2 - Minnesota Brass

Drum Corps for All: Introducing the 2019 Minnesota Brass Lead Design Team

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

Minnesota Brass is proud to announce the lead designers for the 2019 return for the Drum and Bugle Corps. Joel Matuzak will return as creative director, Dr. Ward Miller will be arranging the brass music , Wil Furnstahl will be coordinating the visual presentation, and Christopher Judd will be creating front ensemble arrangements and sound design. Each of them bring a wealth of knowledge and dedication to the organization. See our Staff Bio page for more details.

Drum Corps for All Returns on February 6th.  Join us at 6:30 PM on Wednesday, February 6 at Inver Hills College for our Opening Day 2019.  There’s openings in Brass, Percussion, Guard & Support staff. 

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.

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. 

2019 MBI Winter Percussion Auditions

By | Indoor Drumline | No Comments

Minnesota Brass Indoor Percussion is beginning our 12th Season on October 27th at Totino Grace High School (1350 Gardena Ave NE, Fridley, MN 55432).   We will hold two audition dates on October 27th and November 11th to determine this year’s ensemble.  Coming off of a WGI Percussion Independent World Semi-Finals appearance in 2018,  we are excited about the potential for the program this year.  There are some exciting plans in the works! For more information about staff, schedule, dues and audition materials check out the Indoor Drumline page.

Minnesota Brass Announces Plan to Return to Field Competition in 2019; Town Hall Meeting Set for Sept. 26

By | Drum & Bugle Corps | No Comments

At its August 2018 meeting, the board of directors of Minnesota Brass (MBI) voted to pursue an all-age drum and bugle corps to compete during the 2019 summer season.

After many months of refocusing and listening to stakeholders, the board determined there is sufficient interest to pursue a competitive drum corps in 2019. The organization is committed to returning a combination of performance excellence, a manageable schedule and reasonable dues to the upper Midwest. MBI will offer great design, excellent teaching, more alumni outreach, transparent communication and improved logistics to its 2019 membership.

The creative and educational program will be led by long-time Minnesota Brass program coordinator Joel Matuzak.  Additional details will be coming regarding staff, structure, the competitive arena and schedule.

The organization will host a Town Hall meeting on Sept. 26, 2018, for all those interested in the future of Minnesota Brass. At the meeting, results of a recent stakeholder-engagement project will be shared. In addition, there will be an opportunity for alumni and volunteers to learn about the critical need for their active participation in the organization for its successful return to the field. The Town Hall meeting will be held at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 26, at the offices of Olsen-Thielen & Co., 2675 Long Lake Road, Roseville, Minn., 55113.

Essential to the success of the 2019 summer program is for all people who are passionate about the organization to be a part of it. MBI has needs in the areas of management, recruiting, teaching, performing and fund-raising.

To that end, MBI is also immediately announcing the launch of a search process to fill the following leadership positions (with stipends): Executive Director, Operations Director and Membership Director. A search committee comprising board members, lead staff and alumni will make recommendations to the board regarding the filling of these positions. Applications are due October 5, 2018. Detailed job descriptions are now available online.

The current executive team of Gavin Burnham (President/CEO), Todd Tanji (Executive Director), Dave Whitaker (Chief Financial Officer) and Eric Molho (Board Chair) plan to transition responsibilities for the day-to-day management of the organization to the new administrative team as it is formed. All of these leaders are committed to the success of Minnesota Brass and will serve as mentors and resources to the new administrative team as it develops a new vision for Minnesota Brass.

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!