Similar to our call for volunteers to make the 2024 season (and beyond) a success, Minnesota Brass is seeking extra help for the duties of Drum & Bugle Corps director. The current Executive and Ensemble directors Chris Judd and Justin Foell will be involved in 2024. But we want to add depth to our roster and start thinking about a succession plan for future seasons. Both will be involved and supporting the expansion of responsibilities to the next generation of Minnesota Brass leadership.
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DCI Minnesota is being presented by the U.S. Marine Corps in 2016, and will feature a rare appearance by the U.S.M.C. Drum & Bugle Corps, “The Commandant’s Own,” who are in demand around the country and will be traveling to Minneapolis following their weekly Friday evening parade at Marine Barracks, Washington, D.C.
More than 2,000 musicians and dancers will perform with some 20 drum and bugle corps from around the country, including defending world champions the Blue Devils from Concord, Calif., and past champions Madison Scouts from Madison, Wis.; Vanguard from Santa Clara, Calif.; Cavaliers from Rosemont, Ill.; and Phantom Regiment from Rockford, Ill. Minnesota Brass will also appear presenting their 2016 production, “Now Boarding.”
The event is expected to draw some 7,000 spectators to TCF Bank Stadium on the campus of the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. Tickets are on sale now at dci.org
Minnesota Brass will join six other units in the inaugural Minnesota Drum Corps Premiere on June 25 as part of the 32nd Annual Vikingland Band Festival Parade Marching Championship in Alexandria, Minn.
The show will be held at the Alexandria Area High School’s Viking Savings Bank Field at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, June 25. MBI will be joined by the Govenaires of St. Peter and Minneapolis’ Chops Inc. in presenting their 2016 field shows for the first time. Also appearing will be the Calgary Stampede Showband, Calgary Stetson Show Band and Calgary Round-Up Band, all from Calgary, Alberta, Canada. The host Alexandria Marching Band will also perform. Tickets to the show are $6 in advance; $9 at the door.
Show co-founder Ken Martinson, an Alexandria native who now lives in Nashville, Tenn., said the unjudged show will feature the presentation of a “fan favorite” award, noting the show will be “nice for the corps to participate in a supportive and relaxed dress rehearsal for everybody to debut their shows.”
The following day will feature the annual Vikingland Band Festival Parade Marching Championship, a bands-only event that will feature more than 2,000 performers representing 24 units, including 19 in competition and the units appearing Saturday night.
Martinson, whose drum corps experience was playing with the Hutchinson (Kansas) Sky Ryders, is also a judge, instructor and founder of the popular marching.com website. For him, the highlight of the weekend is “the camaraderie that exists between MBI and all the high-school bands that compete. Most of MBI’s staff has either marched with or are on staff with the high-school bands appearing at Vikingland. Plus, the audience gets to see both the field-show and street sides of the marching activity during the weekend.
“We tend to forget there is always a new audience among the kids,” he said. “A good number of people here have never seen a drum corps show. This event introduces a whole new generation to the drum corps activity, and lets them know that after graduation the all-age corps offer an opportunity to continue to perform.”
Attention all passengers! Minnesota Brass’s 2016 production, Now Boarding is preparing for take off and we’re looking to fill our last few seats.
Wednesday evening, April 20 auditions for the color guard and front line ensemble will take place at Brooklyn Center High School starting at 6:30 p.m. RSVP today and let us know you’re planning to soar this summer.
There is NO REHEARSAL for any section on April 13.
Rehearsal starts at 6:30 but plan to arrive between 6 and 6:30 to get registered and get equipment. (If you haven’t already paid a 2016 audition fee to any Minnesota Brass ensemble, you will also pay your $25 audition fee when you register.) Check out these important details about Wednesday’s rehearsal and audition schedule:
- Brooklyn Center High School is located at 6500 Humbold Ave. North in Brooklyn Center
- Registration opens at 6 and rehearsal starts promptly at 6:30. Rehearsal ends at 10 p.m.
- Please enter through Door 23–the door closest to the large parking lots.
- Bring a friend! We will welcome walk-ins so feel free to invite others or forward this note.
- Color Guard auditionees: You’ll be moving and spinning so dress ready to move!
- Positions in the horn line and battery are currently full. However, we are accepting a select group of individuals to serve as alternates this season if a spot opens up. Please email us (or simply stop by a Wednesday rehearsal) if you’d like to be considered for an alternate role.
Still not sure? Check out our quick guide for more information!
Sometimes we get so excited about all the great things going on in the world of Minnesota Brass, we forget that new people are visiting and learning about us every day! To help introduce new fans, potential new members and the generally curious about what it is the drum corps does, we’ve created a new Quick Guide with great information about who we are and what we do. Feel free to share with others and spread the word.
The drum corps’ next rehearsal is Wednesday, February 17 at 6:30 p.m. for percussion and brass. We rehearse at Brooklyn Center High School. Color Guard auditions are scheduled to begin in April, after the WGI World Championships!
