Q u a r t e r No t e s
Minnesota Brass, Inc. Quarter Notes Newsletter Drum Beauty Creates Memorable Experiences Volume 3, Issue 2 Sunday, June 27, 2010, Stillwater Area High School June 15, 2010 By Paul Mordorski Drum Beauty, nestled in the quaint St. Croix River twice, wearing garbage bags, and wowing the Valley town of Stillwater, is Minnesota’s premier crowd with their Bottle Dance and excellent Contents: drum and bugle corps competition. showmanship. Scheduled for June 27, 2010 at Stillwater 9 of the nation’s top Drum Beauty...... 1 Area High School, the nation’s top Drum Over the years, Drum Member Spotlight...... 2 Corps International (DCI) caliber corps corps visit Stillwater Beauty has been both a one Sideliners...... 3 have been appearing at this DCI stop Area High School for and two day event, held at Local Shows...... 3 on the tour since 1975. what promises to be a five different locations, in Grants Received...... 4 Collision of Champions. rainy conditions that forced MB Productions (MBP)...... 4 Memories are inspired when you standstill performances, in MBI VISA Card...... 4 mention Drum Beauty. According to sweltering heat, and with Under the Lights (UTL)...... 5 Drum Beauty Producer and Historian Dave perfect drum corps weather. Below are memories Click for Community...... 5 Eckberg, the show evolved in 1956 to attract from Minnesota Brass Inc. affiliates of their Drum 2010 Schedule...... 6 units for the “Play Beauty experiences. Days” parade. The Share your favorite Drum Stillwater Jaycees John Ebert (hornline,1990s, 2000s, created the show Beauty memories. Email and current marching member): My [email protected] today! Editor-in-Chief: and ran the show first drum corps show as a fan was c o n s e c u t i v e l y Memories may appear on the Sue Cosley Drum Beauty 1978. If memory serves, through 1962, www.mnbrassinc.org website or Santa Clara, Blue Devils, Scouts, featuring the top Blue Stars, and Spirit of Atlanta were Quarter Notes Staff: in other MBI publications. level drum and Dave Whitaker there, maybe Crossmen, too. Spirit bugle corps, with Eric Molho of Atlanta already had that gigantic the Cavaliers, Blessed Sacrament (a last minute sound, and it was only their second season. But replacement in 1959), and the Preston Scout I instantly fell in love with the Devils, and they House included as champions. Drum Beauty Drum Beauty, Continued on page 2 ceased after the 1962 season, and, although it was resurrected in 1965 and the early 1970s as Contact Quarter Notes: a regional show, it was not successful because DCI Minnesota the people of Stillwater were used to having the Submit advertising or story big corps in attendance. July 17, 2010, TCF Bank Stadium ideas to: In 1975, Eckberg resurrected Drum Beauty as 24 World, Open, and All-Age Class [email protected]. his senior project at the University of Minnesota. corps will roll through Minneapolis Five top DCI caliber corps were scheduled to for this first ever event. See the perform at this show at Stillwater HS that was sold out months in advance. There had not been Sideliners page for a lineup, times, Contact MBI: measurable rain in nearly a month going into the and ticket information... including a show until that night, when it rained three inches discounted Super Ticket for Drum Snail Mail: from 6:30 to 10:30 p.m. The show became a Beauty patrons. Minnesota Brass, Inc. rain-soaked, thrilling exhibition with the 1974 PO Box 7341 DCI Champion Santa Clara Vanguard marching St. Paul, MN 55107
Email: DCI Minnesota Super Ticket [email protected] When buying your Drum Beauty ticket online only at http://lumberjackdays.com/drumbeauty.asp you have the opportunity to purchase the $27 DCI-Minnesota ticket for only $18! www.mnbrassinc.org
1 Profiling the Corps Director: Eric Molho By Susan Fisher The member profile shines this issue on Eric Molho, arguably one of he joined the baritone line and enjoyed marching during the 2003 the most critical members of the Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum Corps and 2004 seasons. family, since he is the new corps director. By way of introduction for those alumni and fans who are not around the corps all of the Wanting to take a “break” from the requirements of being at every time, hopefully this profile will give you a chance to get to know rehearsal and performance, but still wanting to stay close to the this busy, energetic, and smart leader who corps, Eric ran for the board of directors. He has been quietly helping behind the scenes served as a board member during the 2005 and for many years. 2006 seasons and then was selected as Board Chair for the 2007, 2008, and 2009 seasons. Eric grew up in Indiana and was first introduced During these years, he watched and contributed to drum corps when his high school band to the remarkable success that the corps has teacher invited him to attend the 1986 World been able to achieve. Championships in Madison, Wisconsin. Since that time, he has been hooked on drum corps. He was selected as the new Corps Director for the One of his early memories of drum corps was current 2010 season with the hope that “we are at the Drum Corps Midwest Championships matching the high quality and professionalism that in DeKalb, Illinois. Deep inside the bowels our performers exhibit with a strong, professionally of Huskie stadium, he turned to his friend run organization.” Along with the board, staff, and and said, “Ya know, that Minnesota Brass management team, Eric is doing his part to make group is pretty good.” A fellow standing sure MBI marching members and alumni have behind him who overheard his comment said everything they need to be successful today and “Thank you!” It happened to be someone in a into the future. Minnesota Brass jacket who was on the staff that summer. Outside of Minnesota Brass, Eric plays an important role in the educational future of other young people as In 1988, Eric auditioned for Star of Indiana – a remarkable DCI Director of Strategic Planning for the Minneapolis Public Schools. junior corps from the 1980s and 1990s – and had a wonderful His talents for guiding others in achieving their full potential are weekend in Bloomington, important roles for both his professional Indiana. Unfortunately, when When you see Eric at rehearsals, performances, and drum corps lives. it came time to audition on his or shows, feel free to introduce yourself to him. on his baritone in the face of As Eric says, “For me, being Corps four staff members, Eric froze Director is about the members. I want up and was unable to get a single note out of his horn. After an them to have a great experience. To have fun and meet lifelong expected rejection letter, he did not have the bravery or gumption friends. And to know that they are a part of Minnesota Brass.” to try out again and often regretted that he never took the step to march with a junior corps. As Corps Director and #1 rooter, Eric’s wishes for the corps are completely in keeping with the Minnesota Brass mission, and It was 2001 when he moved to Minnesota. Since he now lived in he wants to get to know all of the Minnesota Brass family, since close proximity to a high quality all-age corps, he began to seriously everyone is critical to the history, 2010 season, and the future of consider marching with Minnesota Brass. While he did not know the corps. much about the corps other than his early memories from DeKalb,
Drum Beauty, Continued from page 1 have been my favorite ever since. Afterward, I was hanging out with the full moon. Gorgeous! fellow trumpet players from my high school band. We were jealous of how high the drum corps “trumpet” players could play. One of What I remember most about this evening was Minnesota Brass them said, “Yeah, but they’re playing ‘little tiny’ trumpets.” playing Sesame Street, the Madison Scouts’ performance, and the Blue Devils victory concert. For the victory concert, I went down and Tim Christensen (American Flag Squad and hornline, 1990s and sat right in front of the lead sopranos. The day was very hot, but 2000s): I really miss the old Drum Beauty location, where we used things had cooled down immensely by the time the victory concert to warm up and get ready in Karl and Linda’s [Sletten] backyard, began. I was so excited to have the full power of the Blue Devils and then walk under the stands to start the show. Then we would Hornline IN MY FACE! It was an amazing concert, but the most come back and party in their driveway until after all the corps trucks memorable part of the evening was that when the lead sopranos were gone. Some years, they would even feed the Blue Stars, and played anything over a high G, there was literally smoke coming I got to have midnight lunch. out the end of their bells! It was a magical evening of drum corps, and Blue Devils went on to win the DCI Championships. It inspired Brent Turner (1990s,2000s, and former MBI Corps Director): My me to audition the next Fall for the Madison Scouts. first Drum Beauty was 1986 – just as the corps were heading to Madison, Wisconsin for DCI finals. I went to the Monday night Drum Beauty has featured almost all the top DCI corps, including performance. I had lived in Minneapolis only about four weeks. 2010 headliners the Cavaliers, Blue Stars, The Cadets, Madison Parade Stadium is really a treasured place for drum corps that is Scouts, and Minnesota Brass Inc. Make sure you attend 2010 Drum sorely missed. In the background of the performances were always Beauty to experience memorable performances and start forming the beautifully lit Minneapolis Downtown Skyscrapers along with your own Drum Beauty memories.
2 Minnesota Brass Local Performances Wednesday Drum Beauty Sounds of Minnesota June 27, 2010, 6 p.m., Stillwater Area High School, August 22, 2010, South Saint Paul High School, Night Stillwater, MN South Saint Paul, MN Gatherings A co-production of MBP and St. Croix Events Co-sponsored by South Saint Paul Band Join other alumni and fans of Drum Beauty is one of the oldest and most Backers and MBP MBI for an evening of social- successful drum corps shows in the country. Minnesota’s premiere All-Age Corps weekend izing and watching the 2010 This year’s line-up is sure to be a great success, will kick off on Saturday, August 22, 2010, with corps rehearse at the Sears featuring in competition: Blue Stars (LaCrosse, MBI’s own Sounds of Minnesota. This end-of- parking lot, near Industrial WI), Cadets (Allentown, PA), The Cavaliers season spectacular will again take place at Boulevard. (Rosemont, IL), Colt Cadets (Dubuque, IA), Ettinger Field, South Saint Paul High School. June 16 Colts (Dubuque, IA), Govenaires (St. Peter, MN), Featured corps include: Minnesota Brass (St. July 21 and Minnesota Brass (St. Paul, MN). Tickets Paul, MN), Govenaires (St. Peter, MN), Kilties August 18 [available at http://bit.ly/DBTickets] are $33 for (Racine, WI), and Minne-Brass (St. Paul, MN). The officers will also be meet- VIP Club, $25 for Preferred, $18 for reserved, [Visit http://bit.ly/SOMTickets for tickets.] ing on these nights, so listen and $5 for general admission. Sideliners DBM/DCI-MN in and see how Sideliners is becoming “Bigger and Better DCI Minnesota ticket Informtaion in 2010.” July 17, 2010, 2 p.m., TCF Bank Stadium, U of M, Drum Beauty tickets are $33 for VIP Club, $25 Minneapolis, MN for Preferred, $18 for Reserved, and $5 for A Drum Corps International Regional Event General Admission. Purchasers of Drum Beauty Sideliners In one of the biggest events to hit the tickets will be able to participate in the purchase upper Midwest since the 2006 DCI World of the July 17, 2010, DCI-MN Super Tickets at Organizing Championships, the 2010 Drum Corps the TCF Bank Stadium at UMN. A $27 DCI-MN Committee International Tour will roll through Minneapolis ticket is available for only $18 through the Drum Sherry Duggan - Co-Pres. on Saturday, July 17, for a first-ever event at Beauty website. Judy Glewwe - Co-Pres. TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis. Home of the Cindy Bach University of Minnesota’s Golden Gophers, this Sideliners will have a block of Preferred seats Pat Byrne brand new venue will host a whopping lineup of available for $23 each. Contact Rhonda Dooley Sue Cosley 24 World, Open and All-Age Class corps during at [email protected] to reserve tickets. For Bobbi Hacket one fun-filled and exciting evening. The largest the DCI Minnesota Super Ticket offer, contact Bill Klein marching music show ever held in Minnesota Paul Skinny Mordorski at 651-489-5716 or e-mail Paul “Skinny” Mordorski will feature ALL of the world’s top drum corps! him at [email protected]. To order the Tom Nicosia [Visit DCI.org or http://bit.ly/dci-mn-tix for ticket best tickets online, contact Drum Beauty directly at Marcia Reiter information.] http://www.lumberjackdays.com/drumbeauty.asp. Timmy Christensen
2010 Sideliner Membership Form Membership Type: Includes: ______$23 Regular membership Newsletter, special discounts ______$35 Silver membership Same as above, plus 2 Sounds of Minnesota (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 Mordorski Telephone: ______E-mail:______Sideliners City: ______State ______Zip: ______2046 Marion St. Roseville, MN 55113 For the latest MBI news, log on at www.mnbrassinc.org Recent mrac Grant Awards MBI creates MBP By Susan Fisher By Eric Molho The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council (MRAC) has awarded Drum corps fans and Minnesota Minnesota Brass two major grants during the last few months. An Brass alumni may have noticed a new MRAC Capital Grant for $10,000 is helping to fund three Dynasty acronym showing up from time to time: trumpets and four new tubas needed by the corps for the marching MBP. MBP stands for “Minnesota Brass season. The busy parade and show performance schedule for both Productions,” a newly created effort to the corps and Minne-Brass puts intense pressure on both horns identify and market the many events and percussion equipment. Consequently, there is a continuing that Minnesota Brass helps to produce need to add and replace equipment to enable a world class corps each summer. to perform at it best. The MRAC grant is an important factor that allows the corps to meet these critical needs. Minnesota Brass has been sponsoring drum corps shows in the Twin Cities for almost as long as the corps has been around! To Additionally, MBI was able to secure an MRAC Community Arts support this effort, Minnesota Brass Productions (MBP) will become Grant for $5000 to help fund the Sounds of Minnesota (SOM) home the official production arm of MBI’s ever-growing organization. This show on August 22, 2010. There are numerous costs involved in summer, MBP will sponsor or co-sponsor several events. running a show with quality corps coming from around the country to compete in the annual SOM show. The MRAC grant helps “Our goal is to leverage the exciting opportunities on the Twin Cities’ Minnesota Brass keep the prices of the tickets very affordable for art scene, using the dynamic voice of drum and bugle corps,” said area drum corps fans to see some of their favorite corps. Eric Molho, Corps Director. “We’ll start with the marching arts and then branch out into other arts and educational events.” Long-term, The Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, which covers the seven- MBP plans to bring outstanding choreographers, show designers, county metropolitan area, is one of several arts councils around the and music adjudicators/educators from all over the country to the state of Minnesota funded by the state legislature. The goals of the heart of the Twin Cities, helping to develop performers of multiple councils are to help fund small, entrepreneurial arts groups and to disciplines and of all ages and skill levels. extend the arts to diverse audiences who might have only limited access to the cultural vitality of the Minnesota arts community. Events already scheduled for 2010 include the Winter Drumline home show, Drum Beauty (co-produced with St. Croix Events), DCI Minnesota (a DCI Regional Event), and Sounds of Minnesota (co- sponsored with South Saint Paul Band Backers).
Minnesota Brass is Moving at the speed of VISA® By Judith Glewwe The new Minnesota Brass, Inc. credit card is a free and easy way to Support MBI by requesting your credit card at: raise more than $50 per cardholder for Minnesota Brass. www.cardpartner.com/app/mbi
The new Minnesota Brass, Inc. Drum & Bugle Corps Visa® Platinum Rewards card can be used for everyday purchases. The first time the card is used, the bank will donate $50 to Minnesota Brass, Inc. Drum & Bugle Corps. MBI will continue to receive a percentage of all future purchases.
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4 Some of our favorite donors “Under the Lights” By Susan Fisher Over the last six years, since the Under the Lights Annual Fund local American Legion and VFW posts, he and some of his friends was founded, there have been several Minnesota Brass, Inc. family started a new drum corps. He remembers the feeling of his first field members who have invested in the future of the corps by giving performance and competition. Curt says, “It is so vividly etched in generously every year. Two of these donors have been selected to my brain that I can picture it clearly today – over 35 years later. share their thoughts about what drum corps and Minnesota Brass The pride and ritual of wearing the uniform, the smell of the grass has meant to their lives... what giving back to drum corps means on a warm summer evening, the sound of drums and bugles in the to them now. distance during warm-up, the fire of the gun as we stepped off the line, the snap of the bugle to playing position, the first hit.” Mike Palmquist was born the same year as the corps: 1946. He is an alumnus who joined the corps in the early 1970s after marching Curt’s ability to describe this experience actually earned him his first with the Saint Paul Scouts, then had stints in college and in the job in banking and finance. The very same characteristics required army. During that decade of the 1970s, Mike became more deeply to be successful in drum and bugle corps are those required to be involved with Minnesota Brass, serving as the Business Manager successful in life. After a 35 year pause in his drum corps career, he and the Corps Director for several years. After a break in 1980, joined Minnesota Brass in 2004, believing it would be for only one Mike came back as a marching member until he moved his family year to celebrate his fiftieth birthday. The friends he made in the to Texas in 1983. organization and the shared passion for the activity have kept him here ever since. (He is currently a trumpet player in Minne-Brass.) Moving to Texas has not cut Mike’s ties with Minnesota Brass. He was a member of the Board of Directors during the 1990s, around Why does Curt continue to support MBI financially? “Because, for the fiftieth anniversary, a special drum major for the sixtieth quite simply, I have fallen in love with this organization, the people anniversary, and a donor for the last 18 years – long before the within it, the people behind it, and everything it stands for.” Drum Under the Lights Fund began. corps may not be for everyone, but for “a select few it is a shared passion, and it is a passion that I want to do my part to help sustain Mike continues to financially support the corps today because of and share with others. It has meant so much and been so good to what the corps has given to him. He hopes that the members today me that I hope it can be that way for others as well.” “realize all the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into the life of MBI.” The intense love of drum corps brought Minnesota Brass With the help of people like Mike and Curt, the 2010 Under the to life and sustains it today. Lights fund is now at 40% of the $30,000 goal. Join Mike and Curt and other dedicated members of the Minnesota Brass family to Curt Zoerhof had an early romance with drum corps when, during help MBI surpass this goal. Please use the enclosed envelope or his junior year in high school, a new band director with a drum visit mnbrassinc.org to make a contribution. corps background came to his school. With the sponsorship of Click for Community By Susan Edseth Support the fundraising efforts of Minnesota Brass by doing what you are already doing... shopping online! Simply start all of your shopping at www.ClickForCommunity.com, follow the link to Art, Music, and Cultural Organizations in St. Paul, then choose Minnesota Brass to benefit before you shop.
There is no registration, membership hassle, or privacy concern. Every time you shop online at ClickForCommunity.com, MBI will receive a cash reward of up to 30% from purchases made at participating retailers. All purchases are done directly with your favorite online stores. MBI Tuba section during the Spring Priview on April 15, 2010. Susan Edseth is a Community Advocate (612-281-9205 or [email protected])
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Alumni & Friends Lunch! Free Lunch at noon! Socializing all day! Join MBI for lunch during the Sunday, June 20 rehearsal! Bring your lawn chair to Northdale Middle School in Coon Rapids. Please RSVP attendance to Jodi Pawlenty at [email protected]. Northdale Middle School NE Minneapolis MN Fridley, Madison, WI MN Stillwater, Forest Lake Apple Valley Delano & Litchfield, MN St. Paul, MN Ave., White Bear Minneapolis, MN rehearsal site* Wednesday Jamestown, NY Centerville, MN Little Canada, MN Racine, WI Kenosha, WI Minneapolis, MN rehearsal site* Wednesday MN St. Peter, South St. Paul, MN rehearsal site* Wednesday TBA NY Rochester, NY Rochester, 2010 MBI Schedule Lunch for MBI Alumni & Fans Lunch for MBI Parade: (Minne-Brass; evening) Parade: Fridley Days (MBI) DCI show Drum Beauty Parade (Minne-Brass; morning) Parades (MBI) Parade (Minne-Brass; evening) Parade (Minne-Brass) DCI-Minnesota (MBI in exhibition) TCF Bank Stadium at Alumni & Fans Night Sideliners show DCA Parade (Minne-Brass) Parade (Minne-Brass) DCA-C Show DCA-C Show Classic Brass Inc. and Minne-Brass Lake Harriet Band Shell Alumni & Fans Night Sideliners DCA-C Show Sounds of Minnesota Featuring both Minnesota Brass and Minne-Brass rehearsal in MN Last Wednesday Preview (tentative) District 11 Mini-corps and I&E DCA Prelims & Finals (MBI) DCA Sun. 6/20 6/22 Tues. Thurs. 6/24 Sat. 6/26 Sun. 6/27 Sat. 7/3 Sun. 7/4 Sat. 7/10 7/14 Wed. Sat. 7/17 7/21 Wed. Sat. 7/24 Sat. 7/31 Sun. 8/1 Sat. 8/7 Sun. 8/8 Mon. 8/16 8/18 Wed. Sat. 8/21 Sun. 8/22 8/25 Wed. Sat. 8/28 Fri. 9/3 Sat.-Sun. 9/4-5 rehearsals are at the Sears Outlet store near intersection of Industrial * Wednesday Boulevard and Spring Street. 2700 Winter Street, Northeast, Minneapolis, MN. for more information and the most recent updates. www.mnbrassinc.org Visit