Christmas with the Motor City Brass Band

Motor City Brass Band is Michigan’s first competitive British-style brass band, annually participating in the North American Brass Band Association or U.S. Open Championships in addition to performing a full schedule of subscription and community performances.

Motor City Brass Band (MCBB) is ranked among the Top 10 competition bands in North America. Its roots derive from Britain's 200-year-old venerable brass band heritage. MCBB was established in 1996 by John Aren, a Salvation Army officer and former member of the current National Champion Illinois Brass Band. With musical director Craig Strain at the helm as conductor, arranger and composer for the group since its inception, MCBB continues to musically define itself as an integral part of the growing national brass band movement.

The band performs in a variety of venues throughout the year in a wide range of musical styles from classical to jazz, pop to sacred. MCBB has performed throughout the state as well as Illinois, Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio and Ontario, Canada. The Band annually participates in the Honors Section of the North American Brass Band Association (NABBA) Championships and, in 2001, released its first CD, After Five. The band has shared the stage with some of Detroit area’s finest ensembles and has featured some of its own stellar players in other performances.

In 2001, just weeks after the September 11th attacks, MCBB was invited to perform on its own merit as the state representative for Michigan State Day at Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, DC on October 2, 2001. In the following years MCBB has been invited to perform at many events, including several years with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra at Greenfield Village for the annual Salute To America concerts. In 2005 MCBB participated in its second US Open Brass Band Championship held in Arlington Heights, Illinois and won the award for Best performance of a March (Death or Glory) as well as taking Second Place in the overall competition.

2006 saw MCBB celebrate its Tenth Anniversary with a gala concert highlighting the past decade. John Aren returned to conduct and many former members of the band joined in the concert's final number, The Stars and Stripes Forever.

A Brass Band as the term is used on the NABBA Home Page refers to a British style Brass Band which uses instrumentation that was standardized in the later part of the last century. The Standard instrumentation for a British Brass Band is:

• 1 Eb Soprano Cornet
• 9 Bb Cornets
• 1 Bb Flugelhorn
• 3 Eb Tenor Horns
• 2 Bb Baritones (Small Bore)
• 2 Euphoniums
• 2 Bb Tenor Trombones (Small Bore)
• 1 Bass Trombone (Big Bore)
• 2 EEb Basses
• 2 BBb Basses
• 3 Percussionists

Director Craig Strain generates a strong synergy throughout the band in every musical genre. Under Craig’s skillful direction the individual talent of the finest player is often exceeded in context of the ensemble as a whole. Craig’s most sensitive interpretations in both his arrangements and conducting has won the heart of both player and listener alike. But don’t take our word for it. Come out and see for yourself!

Visit the Motor City Brass Band at: www.mcbb.org

Concert tickets are $10 and available at the door.