2027 Auditions & Clinic · Oct 24–25 · St. Paul 2027 Auditions · Oct 24–25

The Midwest’s most iconic winter guard.

Est. 2011. Undefeated in the North Star Circuit. Four-time WGI World Championship Finalist. MBI Winter Guard is where the Midwest’s most driven performers come to push their skills, expand their artistry and bring unforgettable shows to the floor.

Audition for 2027 See us live
  • Undefeated Never defeated in North Star Circuit competition
  • 4× WGI World Championship Finalist
  • 9× WGI World Championship Semifinalist
  • Silver 2017 WGI World Championships

About MBI Winter Guard

Some guards compete. We leave a mark.

Founded in 2011 as part of Minnesota Brass Drum & Bugle Corps, MBI Winter Guard competes in the Independent Open class of the North Star Circuit and Winter Guard International. From killer clowns to crash test dummies to a spelling bee that took home a silver medal on the world stage, our shows are bold, inventive and unmistakably ours.

Whether you’re a seasoned performer or an emerging talent ready to take the next step, you’ll get elite coaching, a schedule that respects your life, and a place in a legacy that keeps growing every season.

MBI Winter Guard members in crash test dummy costumes celebrating together backstageThree MBI Winter Guard performers in clown and raincoat costumes during the 2023 show Welcome to Derry

We train like a world-class program and show up for each other like family.

Why MBI

Built for performers who want more.

  • World-class coaching

    A structured, educational program built on training, development and growth — taught by staff who’ve performed, taught and judged at the highest level.

  • Built around your life

    Friday evenings, half day Saturdays and some Sundays, November through April. Keep school, work and life in balance — and still compete with the best.

  • More included. More flexibility.

    We keep tuition as reasonable as possible while covering major season costs, including Dayton lodging. Travel may be booked separately for added flexibility and fundraising can help offset expenses.

  • Consistently competitive

    Four WGI World Championship finals, nine semifinals and a silver medal. When we get to Dayton, we’re there to compete.

The shows

The ones they still talk about.

Every season is a new story, built from scratch and performed like it’s the last. Some have become legendary.

  • WGI Silver Medal

    2017 · Independent A

    Silver on the world stage at WGI World Championships.

  • Fan favorite

    2023 · Welcome to Derry

    A killer clown, a yellow raincoat and a floor fans still talk about.

  • Fan favorite

    2024 · Shut Up & Drive

    Buckled up, dialed up and one of our most-requested shows ever.

Every season, every story

Select a season for video, photos, staff & captains

2027 performance schedule

See us live.

Ten performances, from our season premiere in Mendota Heights to WGI World Championships in Dayton. Be there. Be loud.

Add season to calendar
Date Event Location Time Add to calendar
JAN · SAT 30 Premiere Show Season premiere Two Rivers High School Mendota Heights, MN 5 pm
FEB · SAT 13 Friends & Family Preview Hastings Middle School Hastings, MN 6 pm
FEB · SAT 20 Irondale Show Irondale High School New Brighton, MN 5 pm
FEB · SAT 27 Two Rivers Show Doubleheader · 1 of 2 Two Rivers High School Mendota Heights, MN 1 pm
FEB · SAT 27 Lakeville Show Doubleheader · 2 of 2 Lakeville South High School Lakeville, MN 6 pm
MAR · SAT 6 Minneapolis Regional WGI Regional Irondale High School New Brighton, MN All day
MAR · SAT 20 Eden Prairie Show Eden Prairie High School Eden Prairie, MN 5 pm
MAR · SAT 27 WGI Send-Off Show Hastings Middle School Hastings, MN 6 pm
APR · SAT 3 NSC Championships Circuit finals Minnesota State University, Mankato Mankato, MN 4 pm
APR · THU–SAT 8–10

WGI World Championships

Season finale

Catch us live or catch us on FloMarching.

Dayton, OH area Venues announced by WGI All day

Dates, times and locations can change. Check back before you head out.

Auditions & clinic · 2027 season

Your season starts Oct 24.

Two days of spinning, movement and fun alongside MBI staff and members. Audition for a spot on the team, or just come to learn something new — all experience levels welcome.

Experience matters. Potential does too. Bring the fundamentals, the drive and the work ethic. We’ll help you push them further.

Register now Questions? Email us

Staff

The team behind the team.

  • Wil Furnstahl, MBI Winter Guard Co-Director

    Wil Furnstahl

    25+ years performing, teaching and judging. Minnesota Brass color guard director since 2011; North Star Circuit board since 2003.

    Read full bio

    Wil has over 25 years experience performing, teaching and judging color guard, marching band and drum corps. He’s served as Color Guard Director for Minnesota Brass since 2011 for both the drum corps and winter guard – earning the top color guard award at the DCA World Championships in 2011 and silver medal at the 2017 WGI World Championships along with numerous other awards and accolades around the region. He’s also served on the North Star Color Guard Circuit board of directors in various capacities since 2003.

  • Mary Stennes, MBI Winter Guard staff member

    Mary Stennes

    MBI Winter Guard alum (2011–2013) and six-summer Minnesota Brass member. On staff since 2014.

    Read full bio

    Mary attended Irondale High School 2004-2008, where she participated in fall marching band, winter drumline, and winter guard. She joined the Minnesota Brass summer color guard in 2009 and marched 6 summers. Mary is a past member of MBI Winter Guard, marching in 2011, 2012, and aging out in 2013. She has been on staff at MBI since 2014.

  • James Gabonay

  • Teran Keith

  • Amber Mattson

  • Rian Mahoney

  • Mason Barnes

  • Drake Parrott

Support & legacy

Your legacy. Their stage.

Every show in our archive was built by members who gave their winters to something bigger than themselves. Your support keeps MBI affordable, competitive and on the floor in Dayton — so the next generation gets their moment, too.

  • Get us to Dayton

    Travel and competition fees for the trip to WGI World Championships in Dayton.

  • Build the show

    Floors, props, costumes and equipment that bring each season’s story to life.

  • Keep the door open

    Affordable tuition, so talent — not budget — decides who makes the team.

Once MBI, always MBI.

Alumni: stay in the loop on new shows, performances and ways to get involved.

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FAQ

Good questions.

wilf@mnbrass.org
Do I need winter guard experience to audition?

Not necessarily. A strong color guard foundation, work ethic and potential matter more than where you’ve performed before. Auditions are competitive, and we’re looking for performers ready to push themselves and grow.

How much time does it take?

MBI Winter Guard rehearses Friday evenings half day Saturdays and some Sundays. The season begins in November and concludes in early April with World Championships in Dayton, OH. Members are typically able to keep a healthy school and work balance while performing with MBI.

What does a season cost?

Tuition is communicated at the start of the season and cover the major costs of performing, including Dayton lodging. Members may arrange Dayton travel separately for added flexibility, and jackets and apparel are additional. Fundraising can help offset some, or even all, of your season costs.

Where are rehearsals held?

Rehearsals are typically held at Urban Academy in St. Paul but other locations throughout the Twin Cities may be scheduled occasionally. Carpooling with teammates is typically available.

Can I come to auditions just to learn?

Absolutely. We encourage anyone and everyone to come enjoy a day of spinning, learning new choreography and meeting new people.

Is there an age limit?

The clinic is open to everyone — any age, any experience level. The age limit applies only to auditioning for a spot on the team: performing members are 25 and under.

You never know unless you try.

Register for auditions

Oct 24–25, 2026 · Urban Academy, St. Paul

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