Quarter Notes

Minnesota Brass, Inc.Quarter Notes NewsletterVolume 2, Issue 2December 1, 2009

Contents:

2009 Season Wrapup ...1DCA Finals Scores .......1Members Spotlight........2New MN DCI Show.......2Hall of Fame .................3Sideliners/Skinny ..........32009 UTL Donors .........4Board Elections ............4Brass Bits .....................4Banquet Awards ...........5Max Giving....................5Make A Difference ........52010 Schedule..............6Mission Statement ........6

Contact MBI

Snail Mail:Minnesota Brass, Inc.PO Box 7341St. Paul, MN 55107

Email:info@mnbrassinc.org

www.mnbrassinc.org

Contributors:Tina CavittTerri DavisSusan FisherEric MolhoPaul MordorskiDave Whitaker

Copy Editor:Tom Jones

Layout EditorDave Whitaker

Advertising:If you are interested in advertising in the Quarter Notes, please contact info@mnbrassinc.org.

For the second year in a row, Minnesota Brass completed its season with a runner-up placement at the DCA World Championships in Rochester, NY. The second-place score of 97.588 was a finals-best for MBI. To top it off, Minnesota Brass drum major Amanda Cambronne was awarded the title of Best Drum Major.

Prior to the trip to New York, Minnesota Brass participated in eight other field competitions. In June, the season debuted with Nocturne: Songs for the Night at Drum Beauty in Stillwater, Minnesota. The corps also wowed crowds in Mankato and Menomonie. In July, the corps had no shows, so used the time to hone its program with a standstill performance in Hinckley and parades in Hinckley, Forest Lake, Apple Valley and Chanhassen.

In addition to these money-making endeavors, Brass had to redouble its fundraising efforts to accommodate an August trip to Scranton, Pennsylvania. This trip was a late addition to the schedule and was made possible by the generosity of friends and alumni, and by the success of the “Minnesota Brass Night with the Twins” fundraiser.

2009 SEASon WrApS Up BEAUtIfULLy!

MBI placed third at the Scranton show, behind the Reading Buccaneers and the Connecticut Hurricanes.

August was a busy month for the corps. In addition to traveling to Scranton, we won shows in Racine and Wausau, Wisconsin, St. Peter, Minnesota, and hosted Sounds of Minnesota, our home show in South Saint Paul. Nearly 1,000 fans enjoyed a perfect night of drum corps, which included Vigilantes, Lakeshoremen, Kilties, Govenaires, Minne-Brass, and of course, MBI. High school band members from District 11 and their families screamed for Brass’s final 2009 Minnesota performance in exhibition at the end of the month.

2009 DCA fInALS SCorES

1. Buccaneers 99.0252. Minnesota Brass 97.5883. Empire Statesmen 96.2004. Hurricanes 95.8385. Caballeros 94.2386. Renegades 90.4637. Brigadiers 89.2258. Alliance 89.1389. Bushwackers 88.96310. CorpsVets 83.750

Congratulations to the Governaires, of St. Peter, MN, Champions in Class A competition with a score of 82.400.

Photos courtesy of Don Paluh and DCA.

MBI MEMBEr SpotLIght: IkUMI AokI & yUI SUgIyAMAThe MBI Member Spotlight beams on two young women from Mie Prefect, Japan. Ikumi Aoki & Yui Sugiyama came further than any other Minnesota Brass member before them. They traveled over 5,000 miles to join MBI for the 2009 Nocturne, Songs for the Night season. A marching friend happened to show them the history-making 2008 MBI DCA World Championship performance on YouTube. That was all the motivation they needed! On April 10, 2009, Yui & Ikumi landed at Minneapolis/St. Paul International, with a small contingency of Brass members and staff to welcome them. Their first impression of Minnesota? COLD! but happy and warmly welcomed in a very nice city. They hoped to work on marching skills, to play B-flat horns instead of G, to play good music, and to do it in a safe and friendly place.

Both Yui & Ikumi (also known as Sweet Smelling Blue Tree), fell in love with music at the age of three, with the piano. Both chose brass at 15. Ikumi took tuba, because it was the biggest horn. She quotes, “ Dai Wa Sho Wo Kaneru,” the Japanese proverb meaning “Big is better than small.” That day Yui was in the same room picking her instrument, mellophone, because she loved the timbre and the snug, warm sound. Both began marching in high school, after being deceived by their friends, who enticed them to join their “wind music band,” when in fact it was a marching band. Ikumi says they had to be tricked because

Marching band members and world-class drum corps will converge at TCF Bank Stadium in July for the largest drum corps competition ever held in the state. Minnesota Brass will serve as the tour event partner for this major event.

Drum Corps International (DCI) will present DCI Minnesota, featuring twenty-four drum corps from across the United States, including the defending world champion Blue Devils of Concord, California. “The combination of a venue like the new TCF Bank Stadium, an incredible line-up of corps, the always-enthusiastic fans in the area, and a significant effort by the Minnesota Brass volunteers, DCI Minnesota will be a must-attend event of the 2010 DCI Tour,” said Dan Acheson, Executive Director of DCI.

Minnesota Brass’s role will include helping coordinate housing and other facilities for all touring corps from across the country. If you are interested in volunteering or assisting in the planning of this show, please email Brent Turner at brent@mnbrassinc.org. For the latest information about the show,

become a fan on facebook: www.facebook.com/DCIMinnesota . Tickets for DCI Minnesota will be available through www.dci.org.

Part of the four-day event in July includes the System Blue Marching Band Skills Camp featuring members of the Blue Devils and Santa Clara Vanquard. High school and college band students, directors and staff are invited to work with these world-class drum and bugle corps on marching, playing and performance skills. “System Blue events are designed to create unparalleled interaction with our

outstanding performers, instructors and designers in person,” said Blue Devils Executive Director David Gibbs. Additional details and registration materials will be available on www.bluedevils.org.

The new DCI Minneapolis and System Blue camp join existing drum corps events sponsored by Minnesota Brass, including Drum Beauty in Stillwater on June 27, 2010 (www.lumberjackdays.com) and Sounds of Minnesota in South St. Paul on August 22, 2010. (www.soundsofminnesota.com).

marching is not so popular in Japan. She says it was a “good lie” as far as they were concerned - they never stopped marching!

Yui studied social welfare in college and went to work for Toyota, in their General Affairs & Personnel Department. Ikumi went to Mie University where she studied law and ancient Greek opera, becoming a junior high school science teacher. They decided to come to Minnesota despite the obvious language barrier, and never regretted their decision. Rehearsals were the biggest challenge, as intention and direction could be easily misunderstood. They appreciated everyone’s kindness, and they enjoyed every day. Yui said, “We are very grateful. Thank you very much!!!!” She worried that they were too much trouble for everyone. Ikumi said, “This is the most important experience of my life.”

The most surprising thing about life in Minnesota was the number of squirrels in Loring Park where they went each day to practice. Both wondered why only $20 bills were dispensed by the ATM’s here. Perplexing! Ikumi candidly shared the fact that the summer’s most unpleasant discovery was Yui’s cooking! Both would return to Minnesota in a heartbeat, and have been encouraging others in Japan to come for the experience. Ikumi had the best birthday of her life on May 21, turning 25, and Yui’s birthday fell on Sept 7 at finals. Shooting for the championship in Rochester, NY was their fondest wish.

MInnESotA BrASS SELECtED toUr EvEnt pArtnEr for nEW DCI MInnESotA ShoW!

Ikumi (above) and Yui (right)

Photos by Dave Whitaker

TCF Bank Stadium Photo Courtesy of Dave Whitaker and Gopher Photo.

This is the first issue of Quarter Notes with a Sideliners page, providing information on Minnesota Brass events and alumni-related activities.

For 2010, Sideliners is considering printing two newsletters to alternate with Quarter Notes for more of a continuous stream of information. A new Sideliner website will hopefully become a reality in 2010.

Because of increased interest in having more alumni presence with Minnesota Brass Inc., Sideliners is considering electing officers who meet on a regular basis to plan events, activities and involvement with MBI. This core group would also write a mission statement for Sideliners. Information on a reorganization meeting will be sent out after the first of the year. If interested, contact Paul “Skinny” Mordorski at skinnypaulm@yahoo.com or call him at 651-489-5716.

2009 Sideliner Membership form

Membership type: Includes: ______ $23 Regular membership Newsletter, special discounts ______ $35 Silver membership Same as above, plus 2 SOM tickets ______ $55 Gold Membership Same as above plus MBI t-shirt of choice ______ $100 Platinum Membership Same as Gold plus $50 tax deductible donation ______ $___ Porta Potty Fund $_____ Tax deductible donation

Name: _______________________________________________________________________ Mail to:Address: _____________________________________________________________________ Paul MordorskiTelephone: ________________________ E-mail:____________________________________ SidelinersCity: _____________________________________ State __________ Zip: _______________ 2046 Marion St. Roseville MN 55113 For the latest MBI news, log on at www.mnbrassinc.org

SkInny SCrIBBLIngSThanks to all Sideliner members who donated in 2009: Super Platinum - Ed Eishen; Platinum - Dick Maki, Fredric R. Joseph, Cindy Sanders, John D. Weissgarber, Brad Davies, Susan Fisher and Brad and Sharron Nelson; Gold - Art Paulson, Bob and Jean Schiebel, Michael and Jan Wagner, Bill Horst, Carol and Don Bidwell, Dewayne Bode, Roger Swanson and Peg Johnson; Silver - Cindy and Bob Bach, Mike and Katherine Neis, Donna Gunderson, Robert Neuenfeldt, Warren and Carol Rusch, Paul Heymans, Jim and Sherry Duggan, Robert Skogquist; Regular - Patricia Kondrat, Elaine Price and Donalene Caligiuri, and Ron Puffpaff.

Sideliners will continue to offer memberships to support MBI sponsored events. We will continue to sponsor activities including Alumni Evenings at MBI rehearsals, block ticket purchases for Drum Beauty, and even more activities that support MBI’s home drum & bugle corps show, Sounds of Minnesota. Don’t delay, join Sideliners TODAY!

Roger Grupp was inducted into the Buglers’ Hall of Fame at a ceremony in Bridgeport, CT, on Friday, June 26th. As a Minnesota Brass Inc. baritone and soprano/trumpet member and soloist since 1971, Roger was elected into this prestigious organization with (pictured left to right) Scott Friend, Ray Fallon, Roger, Steve Buglino, Harry Hazelwood, and Frank Buscemi. Inductees not pictured were Hunter Moss and Donna Mae Smith.

The Buglers’ Hall of Fame exists to recognize and perpetuate excellence and education in bugling. As a member of this prestigious

grUpp ELECtED to BUgLErS hALL of fAMEBy Tina Cavitt

musical community, Roger joins such bugler greats as Al Chez (of the Letterman show), Bonnie Ott, Ritchee Price, Jim Centorino, Jeff

Kievit, Hunter Moss, Tommy Martin, Frank Ponzo and a host of others (see buglershalloffame.com for a complete list and more information).

Roger accepted his award with signature humility, crediting his most influential instructors ¬– Rick Rueckert and Corky Whitlock – the Minnesota Brass organization, and the drum corps activity as a whole.

2009 UnDEr thE LIghtS ContrIBUtorS:

We would like to thank the following people who made a contribution so far to this year’s Under the Lights

drive.

Under the Lights Contributors for 2009

Director’s Circle - $1500

gavin & kathy BurnhamSusan fisher

Dick & Margaret MakiMike & Judi palmquistCurt & peggy Zoerhof

Board of Director’s Level - $800

Ed EishenCindy holst

Dave & Becki Whitaker

Caption head Level - $500

Jim & Sherry Dugganroger grupp & tina Cavitt

William horstMatt Moreno

Jeff StoutMichael & Jan Wagner

Brian Woodbury

Drum Major Level - $250

pat and gwynne Byrnetodd & patti tanji

field Show Supporter - $100

Mike AmundsonLarry Baker & nancy rodenborg

gary BechtoldJackie Bechtold

nancy CambronneJoy Engberg

Jim & kathie friedlStan & Barb goldberg

Michael hagensonrobert Jones

fredric & gail JosephBill klein

tina MazursCarl Mcgary

Eric Merriman Manny & Mary Lu Molho

ross Molhorob & heather Muller

Dick & Bonnie neumannvivian rider

peter & Cindy SandersMark & katie Santori

Craig SaxtonBob & Jean Schiebel

Steve Springerhenry Wadsworth

ted WalkerJohn Weissgarber

ron & Diane Weitbrechtkathyrn Wilsonronald Wilson

nick & Anne young

parade Corps Supporter - $50

Linda ArmstrongSandra Banner

Jay Brunspatrick Bryanttara Buckelew

Dave ClarkCathy Cooley

rhonda DooleyLee DrummerChris Eaton

Althea faricyLinda freemon

Minnesota Brass, Inc. elected four candidates to the board of directors at their annual meeting on September 30. Each year, four of the eight positions expire.

Mike Cambronne − Mike was re-elected to a second term on the board. Mike has performed and instructed percussion, and instructed the colorguard. He is a successful entrepreneur in the Twin Cities.

Bob Bach − Bob was percussion instructor and arranger for years, and also judged percussion for DCM and DCI. The Bach family have been supporters, performers, and leaders with Minnesota Brass for many years.

todd tanji − For the past five years, Todd has been co-director and performer with Minne-Brass, the MBI mini-corps. From 2003 to 2009, he served in various roles including president of the board for the Concord Blue Devils.

Scotty Wild − Scotty is a past corps director, and winner of the Brassy, the corps’ highest award. Since 1993 Scotty has been the contest producer for Drum Beauty, held in Stillwater, MN.w

These new members will join existing board members Susan fisher, nick Moreno, Jim patterson and nancy terry.

The board also announced the 2010 officers for the corporation:

President/CEO − gavin BurnhamTreasurer/CFO − Dave WhitakerVP of Operations/Corps Director − Eric MolhoSecretary − gwynne Byrne

Three members of the board chose not to seek re-election this term: Sherry Duggan, with 14 years on the board; Judy glewwe, with 10+ years; and tom nicosia, with two years. All three will remain active as leaders and volunteers in the future. Please join the corps in thanking them for their service over the years.

Also, we honor and offer our heartfelt gratitude to Ann Jones, who has served as corps director for the past three seasons. Under Ann’s leadership, Minnesota Brass expanded to offer four performing ensembles, achieved our highest placement (twice) and highest score in DCA competition in our history, and steered the organization forward through the changing landscape in the drum corps activity. Ann has been involved with the corps for more than 20 years in a multitude of roles and leadership positions, and she will remain active as a leader and volunteer in the 2010 season. Please join us in thanking Ann for the successes she has brought to the corps.

2010 CorpS LEADErShIp ELECtED

Classic Brass, Skol Line, Brio Brass, and Minne Brass: what do these ensembles have in common? All of them are outcroppings for a substantial number of talented Minnesota Brass alumni and members. If you haven’t heard the latest, here are some of the groups and performances that are sponsored by or have strong connections to MBI:

The Minnesota vikings Skol Line is a drum line started in 2008 to provide game-day entertainment for all Vikings home games. Although not officially affiliated with MBI, the Skol Line certainly has plenty of former MBI drummers in its ranks! The Skol Line performs pregame in Vikings tailgate lots, on the Metrodome Plaza and inside the Dome on the concourse. During the game, performances take place three to four times on the field. You can also find the Skol Line performing at Vikings events such as the Draft Party, Training Camp, Taste of the NFL and various other special events. Check out their homepage and see who you recognize! http://www.vikings.com/fans/skol-line.html

Minnesota Brass Indoor is now entering its third year as a marching percussion ensemble competing in both the Minnesota Percussion Association (MPA) and the Winter Guard International (WGI) circuits. In its first two years, the ensemble has been awarded the MPA Open Class Championship and has been an Open Class WGI Finalist. MN Brass Indoor will perform weekends

BrASS BItSat winter drumline shows in the Twin Cities between January and March and then attend the WGI Finals in Dayton Ohio, April 15-17! Information about the winter drumline is available at www.mnbrassinc.org.

Minnesota Brass doesn’t do holiday concerts, but our members are involved in arts performances across the Twin Cities during this busy time! This December, the Metropolitan Ballet, with the collaboration of the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra, will be performing the nutcracker...with colorguard! Under the artistic direction of Erik Sanborn, several Minnesota Brass colorguard members and alumni will be choreographing and performing the March Militaire and rat/soldier battle scenes in this season’s ballet. Performances are scheduled for Saturday, December 12th at 7:30pm, and Sunday, December 13th at 3pm. For more information, please visit the company’s website: www.metroballet.org.

As this issue of Quarter Notes goes to press, Minnesota Brass is preparing to announce a new partnership with the Minnesota Swarm! The professional lacrosse team from St. Paul has asked MBI to create the new Swarm Band — a pep band for the team. The Swarm Band will perform in front of 10,000 or so fans in the Xcel Center for each of the Swarm’s eight home games this winter. Check out www.mnbrassinc.org in the coming weeks to learn more about becoming a member of the band or getting tickets for a Swarm game!

www.mnbrassinc.orgOur website is the best way to stay connected to the corps. Keep up

with the latest news, find out where to see the corps perform via the

calendar, and follow as the season progresses on our forums.

parade Corps Supporter - (con’d)

ford Classic Car ClubBobbi hackett

Mary hanfLori hanleyAmy hoines

Steve & Mary hughesMike neimeyer

Mike & Jean neisgeorge & polly petroff

Andy robinsonBeth robinson

Lowell & Mary Schieberon & peggy Sell

Jane Shelstadtami Swenson

MBI family and friends - $25

Andrew AbelChuck Addison

Sandra AndersonMatthew Beckler

Allison BentsMatt Bergan

Carol BidwellJanelle Blum

Jay BrunsJohn CambronneMatt Cambronne

Bill CloverSteve DanzlJudi Egan

Doug EricksonJoan Evans

kristin fassbinderAndrew feit

Aaron & Becky fisherkelton & Judy glewwe

rollin glewwekaren gordon

Sue hillspeggy hochstetler

Mike & Bridget honkanenSam and Bea Jaeger

Mary Jo Johnsonkim Jones

tammy kirchnerMelissa kreiger

richard & kathleen LimanenJames Lopez

kathleen Lundbergkevin & Molly McCann

Jackie McEiverpaul & Delores Mordorski

Elizabeth nagyDan neinstadtAmy nelson

Becky pritchardrita ross

keith Schillpaula Schill

peter SchroederMary SeefeldSarah Seeger

Eugene SheamMarie Shelstad

Joe SherryMichael Smith

ned & Amy SmithMason Sorenson

Melissa SuekDonald tastokaren taulelle

Catherine taylorSusan tillman

Matt & Jaime verkuilenCharissa Wiese

Amy WoldEdward Wolfe

Carol Zaagsma

Did we miss you? If your records differ from the listing above, please contact us immediately so we can rectify this error

During Give to the Max Day on November 17, MBI friends and alumni gave over $1,300 in just 24 hours! Across the state more than 38,700 donors raised over $14 million for 3,434 Minnesota nonprofits. THANK YOU for your support!

In drum corps, we talk about the little things that make a difference. It only takes a split second to be late on your entrance; just a few inches to be out of the form. Just a few hundredths of a point are frequently all that separates one corps’ performance from another.

The same attention to detail is central to drum corps finances. Just a few thousand dollars makes the difference between an overnight trip and no trip at all; just a few donations separate the corps from ending the year with a balanced budget from going into the red.

MBI pArtICIpAtES In gIvE to thE MAX DAy . . .

gIftS to MInnESotA BrASS MAkE A DIffErEnCE

Minnesota Brass, Inc. celebrated their successful 2009 season at the annual banquet Friday, November 13. It was a time to reunite and share a meal with each other, laugh, and reflect on the season. Classic Brass provided entertainment before dinner, awards were given out, and a slideshow of 2009 memories was presented at the culmination of the evening.

Bill Klein, a long-time member and volunteer, won the Brassy, Minnesota Brass’s highest honor. Bill played with the St. Paul Scouts in the 60’s and started with MBI in the 70’s, again marching baritone in the 90’s.

Bill personified old-school senior corps. Since then, repping a tough drill segment, then bending over to put one’s hands on one’s knees for support and gasping for a cigarette is referred to as “Pulling a Kleinie.”

In addition, Bill has secured thousands of dollars from corporate sponsors to make sure our home show runs in the black. Other behind-the-scenes work includes producing a recruiting video aired on public access cable, and being a voice for us as a city councilman in Inver Grove Heights.

Other awards presented during the evening:

Color guard * Rookie of the Year - Jesse Taylor * Most Improved - Erin Jensen * Member of the Year - Anna VogelMarching * Rookie of the Year – Bryan Borg * Most Improved – Dennis Tischhauser, Sarah

Varian * Member of the Year – John Horsthorn Line * Rookies of the Year – Ikumi Aoki and Yui

Sugiyama * Most Improved – Ryan Freitas * Member of the Year – Kurt SchiebelDrum Line * Rookie of the Year – Kristin Olson * Most Improved – Elliott De St. Croix * Member of the Year – Dan JohnsonLou raitch Spirit of MBI * Dennis and Cynthia TischhauserCaligiuri Award * John CedergrenDirector’s Appreciation * Penny O’Kane

MBI honorS EXCELLEnCE At thE 2009 BAnqUEt

This year, Minnesota Brass is very close to ending the 2009 season in the black, but we still need your help. The tough economy and diminished gaming revenue means that the corps continues to rely on wonderful alumni and donors—people like you—to assure a balanced budget. Gifts of any amount, whether $50 or $500, make the difference. As we all reflect on the 2009 in our lives and in the life of our drum corps, it is important to remember how the little things make all the difference. Use the enclosed donation envelope to make your gift to Minnesota Brass today.

How Important Is mBI to YoU?Has Minnesota Brass positively affected your life? Your education? Your family? How about your musical career? Quarternotes would like to hear your stories. If you’re willing to share, please send an email to quarternotes@mnbrassinc.org.

po Box 7341St. paul, Mn 55107

2010 Will Soon Be here!Save these key dates:

saturday, January 2: open house for potential members and alumni

wednesday, april 14: spring preview of the 2010 show with performances by minnesota Brass Indoor drumline and minne-Brass

sunday, June 27: Drum Beauty in stillwater

saturday, July 17: DCI-minnesota at tCF Bank stadium in minneapolis

sunday, august 22: sounds of minnesota in south saint paul

See our website www.mnbrassinc.org for the most recent updates.

MBI Mission Statement

Minnesota Brass provides its members with the opportunity to perform in a competitive and entertaining drum and bugle corps through a structured and educational program of marching, music, dance and movement.

The organization’s vision is to create a supportive environment through which all members are encouraged to achieve their full potential as performers, while recognizing the need to balance these demands with commitments to family, community, school, and work. The Corps strives to create a membership experience that develops lifelong memories and lasting friendships.

UPDATE YOUR ADDRESSAre you reading this in someone else’s hands? Want your own copy? MBI would like all alumni and fans to contact us with their current contact information. You can send it to us either through the web site, or email membership@mnbrassinc.org.

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