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.
Read MoreIn a dark alley somewhere, there’s an unadvertised place. A secret door that music is emanating from. When the door opens, the sound comes pouring out. Inside you’ll find Minnesota Brass’s 2023 production: Speakeasy
Unlike a speakeasy from the 1920s, this one is completely legal, just a little secret. The hipster bar meets nightclub vibe is absent of flapper dresses, but full of fun & flair. Selections include:
- Crazy In Love by Beyonce
- Piano Man by Billy Joel
- Closing Time by Semisonic
Come see Minnesota Brass at these events this summer:
- Fridley Parade – June 15th
- Alexandria Parade & Stand-Still – June 25th
- Hinkley Parade & Stand-Still – July 8th
- Mankato Thunder of Drums – July 11th
- Eau Claire Drums Along the Chippewa – July 12th
- Minneapolis Peavey Plaza Pageantry in the Plaza Stand-Still – July 22nd
- Apple Valley March On! – August 2nd
- St. Peter Drum Corps Expo – August 5th
- Indianapolis DCI SoundSport Finals – August 12th
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
Nick Soden (right) performs with the Blue Knights. (Credit: Billy Soden)
As the 2014 Drum Corps International World Championships get underway, Minnesota Brass would like to recognize our alumni who perform in the corps competing this week in Indianapolis. They include:
Alex Cary – Troopers
Matthew Coke – Colts
Bryan DeHerder – Madison Scouts
Ryan Denny – Colts
Keegan Greene – Madison Scouts
Cole Hanton – Colts
Dani Lovitz– Blue Stars
Joseph Mauer – Blue Stars
Aaron Martin – Colts
Shawn Muench – Phantom Regiment
Nick Soden – Blue Knights
Also a special shout-out to Emily Kahlow, whose season with the Colts ended recently due to a broken foot.
These young men and women have applied what they learned in Minnesota Brass and other marching ensembles and taken it to another stage. The best part is that when they age out of DCI, they can still perform with Minnesota Brass.
We wish them the best of luck in Indianapolis.
Minnesota Brass alumni who helped celebrate the Blue Stars 50th anniversary (many also Blue Stars alumni) included, from left, Bryan Borg, Jesse Talbot, Dave Figge, Andy Kuula, Judy Glewwe, Rick Rueckert, Jim Duggan, Kathy Nieters, Penny Pray and Dave Stolson.
Two venerable Midwestern drum-corps families came together recently when about a dozen alumni of Minnesota Brass helped celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Blue Stars. They performed along with Blue Stars alumni from every year of the Wisconsin corps’ storied history and its current members in front of a hometown audience, part of the big DCI show on July 12 in La Crosse.
Judy Glewwe, who marched with the Blue Stars in 1980 and 1981, explained why she had to be on the field that magical night.
“Drum corps has been a big part of my life and has helped shape who I am today,” said Glewwe, who was known as “Judy Blue Star” when she later marched with Minnesota Brass. “There was never any question of if I should march with the Blue Stars Alumni. I just knew I wanted to do it without pausing to think about it too much.”
She added: “I feel like I am part of two big families — both Minnesota Brass and Blue Stars mean the world to me. Drum corps is a part of who I am, and it always will be. … With drum corps people, there is always a sense of belonging and being part of something big and important. Drum corps members are hard workers, fun and non-judgmental. Who wouldn’t want to be part of that?”
If you missed the performance of the Blue Stars 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps, you can relive it through this YouTube video:
