Minnesota Brass Announces 2010 Design Team
Minnesota Brass Inc is pleased to announce the design team for the 2010 season. The corps is excited to welcome back all of the 2009 caption heads who led Minnesota Brass through an outstanding season. Minnesota Brass’s performance at the DCA World Championships resulted in the corps highest score ever and a second place finish. We are thrilled to have such a talented team leading the creative and instructional facets of our program!
Joel Matuzak, Program Coordinator/Percussion Arranger/Caption Supervisor
Joel Matuzak has been involved with Minnesota Brass for over 22 years and has led the design team as Program Coordinator since 2002. He was a marching member from 1986-1990 and 1992-1996. Joel has been on the drum staff since 1994 and Percussion Arranger since 1998. The corps has twice placed second in the Drum Corps Associates World Championships and has won two DCA percussion titles during that time. Joel is a former Percussion Section Member of the Year, Director’s Choice, and Brassy Award (Minnesota Brass’s highest honor) winner. Joel is also an Alumni of the Madison Scouts Drum and Bugle Corps.
Joel Matuzak has been the Director of Instrumental Music at Highland Park Senior High School in Saint Paul, Minnesota for the past twelve years. He conducts three Bands, an Orchestra, and two Jazz Bands as well as teaches an involved Music Theory program. Joel earned a Bachelors Degree in Music Education from Saint Cloud State University.
Andy Classen, Drill Writer/Brass Arranger
Andrew Classen has been involved with Minnesota Brass since 1986, and will return in 2010 on the design team as drill designer and as one of the music writers. Andrew Classen is in his 17th year as professor of trumpet and jazz studies at Drake University. He is currently principal trumpet with the Cedar Rapids Symphony. He has played with numerous Broadway shows including: Wicked, Spamalot, the Music of Andrew Loyd Weber, Hairspray, Annie, The Rat Pack, Peter Pan, Little Shop of Horrors, The Producers, Chicago (solo trumpet), The Full Monty, 42nd Street, and Thoroughly Modern Millie. His principal trumpet teachers were Vincent Cichowicz of Northwestern University, William Adam of Indiana University, Robert Baca at UW Eau Claire and Cathy Leach at University of Tennessee.
Last year, Mr. Classen became the inaugural holder of the Fred and Patty Turner Professorship in Jazz, thanks fo a $1 million gift from Drake alumnus Fred Turner. He is in much demand as a clinician/guest artist for recitals, masterclasses and seminars, regionally, nationally and internationally. In May 2009, he spent 10 days in China giving recitals and master classes thoughout Beijing and Shanghai. Other recent activities include recitals and masterclasses at the National Music Conservatory of Mexico in 2006, and Centro Cultural Ollin Yoliztli, and at the Instituto de Humanidades Y Ciencia in 2007. He is is also and active jazz composer. He currently has six compositions published through C.L. Barnhouse Publishing.
Andrew Angle, Visual Caption Supervisor
Andrew Angle returns as Visual Caption Supervisor for his second year with Minnestoa Brass. Andrew began his marching arts experience in 1990 with the Madison Jr. Scouts at age 11. Over the past twenty-one years Andrew has been an active performer, educator, designer and consultant for many groups including, Anoka HS (MN), Champlin Park HS (MN), Valley HS (IA), Oregon HS (WI), Capital Sound Drum and Bugle Corps (WI), Glassmen Drum and Bugle Corps (OH) and Blue Stars Drum and Bugle Corps (WI). Andrew has instructed the Minnesota Brass Indoor percussion ensemble in 2008 and 2009 where the group finished as WGI Independent Open finalists
Outside of the marching arts realm Andrew is committed to youth development within urban communities. Andrew works with the YMCA of Minneapolis/Beacons Program where he creates, structures and implements programs with an emphasis placed on the arts, academics, leadership and cultural enrichment.
Matt Kettlehut, Brass Arranger/ Brass Caption Supervisor
Matt Kettlehut has been involved with MBI since 2000 and will once again lead the hornline in 2010. A graduate of the University of Minnesota and a member of the 1994 DCI World Champion Concord Blue Devils, Matt has studied with several noted percussionists and has earned an applauded reputation giving clinics and concerts throughout the Midwest as part of the Penumbra Percussion Duo. Matt serves as a judge for the Minnesota Percussion Association, solo/ensemble contests, and local marching band competitions. He is actively involved with the Minnesota Percussive Arts Society and a member of Chamber Music America.
Gary Swanson, Colorguard Designer/Caption Supervisor
Gary has been actively involved with Minnesota Brass as a marching member and instructor for many years. Gary has been the colorguard designer with Irondale High School since 1990, producing many championship teams including the WGI Scholastic Open Class Winter Guard Champions in 2002. Gary is also involved in adjudication, consulting, and special event choreography both locally and nationally for the pageantry arts. Gary was one of seven choreographers for the 1992 Super Bowl Halftime when it was in Minneapolis. Gary marched with Minnesota Brass, Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps, Minnesota Brass Winter Guard, Crosstown Hwy Winter Guard, and the University of Minnesota Marching Band.
Gary is a graduate of the University of Minnesota with a B.S. in Apparel Design and works at FamilyMeans, a nonprofit, family service organization in Stillwater, MN.
Matt Ferry, Percussion Arranger
Matt Ferry has been the Front Ensemble Coordinator and Percussion Arranger of Minnesota Brass Inc. Drum and Bugle Corps since 2003. With Minnesota Brass, he has had the privilege of teaching the 2003 and 2004 DCA Percussion Champions. Under his direction the ensemble received The Drum Corps Associates "Best Front Ensemble" Award in 2004 and 2005. Matt marched with the Cavaliers in 1999 and 2000.
Matt is currently the Relationship Coordinator for MakeMusic Inc. makers of Finale and SmartMusic software, and serves as a Music Business Faculty member for The Minnesota School of Business. He has also served as the Principle Percussionist for the University of Minnesota Wind Ensemble, the University of Minnesota Symphony, and the Northern Symphony Orchestra.
