We get a lot of questions about how we “AMPED!” our hornline for the 2025 MBI Winds show. Here’s an inside look at our technical journey when searching for those tones…
Pickups
This experiment started in the 2024 season at one rehearsal spot – a church that has a bunch of guitar amps. We discovered a product called PiezoBarrel and I bought one to try out. Originally designed for clarinet (hence the name), this piezoelectric pickup works by picking up sound from the inside of the instrument. For clarinet, they sell a pre-fabbed barrel that has the pickup adapter pre-installed. Sabrina, our clarinetist, provided some wild examples of what it would sound like with generated harmonies from a Boss PS-6 Harmonist pedal.
MBI Winds is set to kick the 2025 season off on Saturday, November 2nd from 9a-3p in Dinkytown. We still have openings in most sections, so we encourage interested members to register today!
All-Instruments, All-Ages
As is part of the Minnesota Brass tradition, MBI Winds is an independent group and is open to all ages. If you have marching experience and play any of these instruments, we want to hear from you!
As is part of the Minnesota Brass tradition, MBI Winds is an independent group and is open to all ages. If you have marching experience and play any of these instruments, we want to hear from you!
The season kicked off with a bang at the Premiere show when MBI performers came onto the floor veiled in yellow raincoats. They took them off to reveal a full Pennywise costume from IT. The theme was hugely popular, and the guard produced a “Who is IT?” post to showcase performers who you wouldn’t otherwise recognize in their costumes & makeup. MBI Winter Guard finished 19th in Independent Open at Dayton, Ohio.
Guard Donors
Margaret Mattson
Kathy & Jeff Lovgren
Eric Lovgren
Ultimate Sports Bar
Tiffany Bornetun
Many more anonymous donors
MBI Indoor Percussion
Celebrating its 15th year in 2023, MBI Indoor Percussion competed both locally and nationally. The season culminated with MBI being a WGI Semi-Finalist in Dayton, OH and placing 17th in Percussion Independent World (PIW) competition – MBI’s highest placement in a decade. The 2023 production was titled “Fade to Black” and featured the ensemble fading in and out of both visual and musical textures ending as the members literally fading away and disappearing into the all-black set pieces. “Hang my head, drown my fear, til they all just disappear.” This lyrics were heard in the last moments of the show as MBI played “Black Hole Sun” by Soundgarden.
Percussion Donors
Hiawatha Academy
Rob Magnuson
Joe and Dani Jaeger
Larry and Rosanne Tollefson
Lynette Fitzsimonds and Jenny Kilgin
Kurt “Flash” Schiebel and Andrea Ferguson
Bradley kovacovich
Griswold Family
Naomi Harju
Mark Schmid and Sandy Dennis
Thomas Peterson
Melisa Riel
Kim and Scott Myrdahl
Ed and Kristiina Terhaar
Inga Borggreve
Anan Kohn
Barry and Heather Tait
Troy Jilot
Carol Kindya
Amy and Rob Takkunen
Jennifer Hanna-Tatur and James Hanna
Leonard and Judith Heimerl
Many more anonymous donors
MBI Winds
“Hello!” was the perfect introduction for the debut of our new WGI Winds ensemble. 20 talented horn players came together to create a vibrant program that entertained audiences. The initial season definitely opened new doors for the growing WGI Winds class, especially at home in Minnesota. MBI Winds finished in 4th place in Independent Open in Dayton, Ohio.
Winds Donors
Beth & Paul Gundersen
Mary & Don Carlsen
Kristina Sorteberg
Asher, Trevor, and Tiffany Kraabel
Dave & Katie Alfveby
Barry Hess
Many more anonymous donors
Thank you
Thanks again to all who donated to our winter ensembles. Minnesota Brass is committed to providing a quality performance experience to our members while trying to reduce costs as much as possible. We couldn’t do it without you!
MBI Winds welcomes all interested hornline players to a free clinic from 3-4pm at the Champlain Park High School gymnasium. Come experience first hand how indoor winds is different from outdoor marching band. MBI Winds is an all-age and all-instrument ensemble, all are welcome!
What to bring
Your horn: flute, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto/tenor/bari sax, trumpet, F horn/mellophone, trombone/baritone/euphonium, tuba
Comfortable clothes and shoes to move in
Water bottle
What to expect
30 minutes of moving and 30 minutes of playing. We’ll supply the required music & stands. At the end we’ll play a warm-up piece together before dismissing.
RVSP Today
Let us know you’re coming and what instrument you play so we can prepare the appropriate materials:
Wednesday, December 28th 3-4PM @ Champlin Park High School (Enter on the south side of the school, off of Oxbow Creek Dr, directly into the gymnasium) 6025 109th Ave N, Champlin, MN 55316
