Minnesota Brass celebrated the 2022 summer season on Saturday, October 22nd. As we embark into a new chapter of Minnesota Brass, some new traditions will take root, and we’ve got our sights on bringing some old ones back.
Traditions to be realized
One thing that we didn’t do for 2022 was award the Brassy – Minnesota Brass’s lifetime achievement award. Nor did we give out the Caliguiri Award or the Lou Raitch Spirit of MBI Award. This is because those awards require input from previous winners. But we intend to reorganize and reconnect with past recipients to make sure these traditions live on.
New traditions
Rather than the classic Mermaid bowling lounge location, we held a potluck at Eric Molho’s condominium clubhouse. The atmosphere and appointments were fantastic – as seen by the skyline photograph taken from the patio that night.
We invite all Minnesota Brass alumni to join us for an end-of-season celebration! Special thanks to Eric Molho for hosting the banquet at his party room in downtown Minneapolis 😍 RSVP so Eric knows how many people to expect.
Location: 1201 Yale Place, Minneapolis, MN Park in guest parking. Check in at the front desk and they will direct you to the elevators. There’s outdoor/rooftop access if the weather is nice – wear your jacket.
Time: 6:30p
Please bring a dish to share according to your last name:
A-J – Side dish K-R – Main dish S-Z – Dessert Staff – Drinks (non-alcoholic)
Bring a power strip if you have one and your dish needs to be plugged in.
Those 21 and over can BYOB. The dining will be informal, but you’re welcome to dress up as much as you want – it’s always fun to see how everyone looks in regular clothes instead of their rehearsal gear.
We’ll celebrate the season, recognize some outstanding members, and watch a replay of the 2022 program “Route 66” from Indianapolis. See you there!
Saturday morning started very ominously. As we went to board the bus to Lucas Oil stadium, the bus driver was there with the hood open, staring at the engine (which wasn’t running). The driver informed us that it wouldn’t start, and that we needed to call a tow truck. The driver said it just likely needed a jump-start, but we didn’t want to make any assumptions.
We had planned for a short warm-up Saturday, to give members 30 more minutes of sleep, and that abridged warm-up was quickly being erased into a show up, unload, perform sort of situation.
Chris Judd called our SoundSport contact to let them know of the situation, and they offered a solution to go on later, when intermission was supposed to start. This act of logistical kindness saved our hide! The bus was jump-started and got on our way.
SoundSport Finals
Once the bus was started, we were able to catch our breath and get ready to perform. This group has had a can-do attitude from day one and a hunger to perform and produce a quality show centered around excellence and entertainment.
Across from Lucas Oil Stadium, Minnesota Brass lit the crowd up with their 2022 program Route 66. We encountered several MBI alumni at the show and they were not only elated to see us back, they had great things to say about the show.
The members’ hard work paid off with Minnesota Brass being named Best Of Show at the 2022 DCI SoundSport contest – the top overall award for units competing. After some celebrating, we sang the corps song, For All We Know.
Members and staff capped off the weekend by attending DCI finals before heading back home overnight on the bus, in true drum corps fashion.
Thanks to the team
Of course this season wouldn’t be possible without each and every member. Also, the creative team & instructional staff deserve special recognition, as they helped dial the show in, making MBI into a well oiled machine. If you see these folks at Marching Band, Drumline, or Color Guard shows, tell them thanks for helping get MBI back on the road:
After a successful interest camp in May, everyone was committed to get Minnesota Brass back on the field and on the street this summer. We set out to do 4 parades and 4 shows, but the buzz around Minnesota Brass fielding a corps brought some extra opportunities. You’ll be able to catch Minnesota Brass at these 5 parades and 5 field shows:
A key tenet of our season is Good Vibes Only. We wanted a show that is accessible for everyone: audience, judges, and performers. Something that embodies getting back out into the world. Our 2022 summer program is entitled Route 66.
Ward Miller is arranging the brass book, with selections that include:
Driver’s License by Olivia Rodrigo
Drive My Car by The Beatles
(Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 by Nat King Cole
Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
It’s already off to a great start! Hope to see you out there in 2022…
*Lunch is not provided, so eat before-hand or bring a snack.
We want to know who is interested in being part of of the 2022 summer corps, so we can put together an appropriate program for our members. We need you to make it happen.
Let’s get the band back together
Yes it’s short notice, but we can do this! We’re committed to putting together a drum & bugle corps that is accessible to a wide range of people. All-age, part-time drum & bugle corps that is fun but doesn’t require you to give up all of your free time.
Achievable Schedule
The schedule is easy: we’ll get together on Friday night and Saturdays every other weekend. No matter what, you’ll always have a day leftover on your weekends to enjoy the Minnesota summers as you wish.
Four Performances, Four Parades
The season will center around 4 field performances. Three local DCI shows with the season culminating at SoundSport finals in Indianapolis on August 13. Members will receive tickets to DCI Semis and Finals as part of their dues.
Parades are also an important part of our season. They’re fun and it’s a great way to show Minnesotans of all walks of life who we are… without anyone having to buy a ticket. We’ll do 3 local parades before DCI Finals and the State Fair on Labor Day with those who can attend.
We’ll also have an open parade policy where any alumni can join us on a given parade day. But to do that, we need you to come to the interest camp so you can get the music, learn the work, and get fitted for a uniform.
All New Staff
We’ve put together an instructional team with an emphasis on positive member experience. Staff includes:
