Bluegrass Brass
Expect to ``Let the Sunshine In'' when the Bluegrass Brass performs. The Louisville group chose the rock musical ``Hair'' for its 1997 competitive season. The show is another exploration of musical styles for this diverse group, whose past repertoires have included jazz, movie musicals and brass band music.
BGB, as they are better known, has 45 members in the brass, percussion and color guard sections. There also are approximately 10 other staff and support personnel who rise to the challenge of making the group's yearly production a reality. This year, it will travel several thousand miles to perform in contests and events all over the Midwest. In addition to the brass band festival in Danville, stops include contests in Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin. BGB also is a contributor to the March of Dimes in conjunction with its fund raiser Bowl-A-Thon.
Bluegrass Brass was formed in 1992 by drum corps members and fans who wished to bring a drum corps to Kentucky. Ever since then, it has been the only drum and bugle corps in the Commonwealth. The corps was originally based in Lexington and now has a permanent home in Louisville. Members are drawn from several midwestern states including Indiana, Ohio, Michigan and West Virginia as well as Kentucky. As a senior corps, there are no age restrictions for members. They range in age from 16 to in their 50s.
Bluegrass Brass has performed at many Kentucky functions, including the Danville festival, the Governor's Derby Day Breakfast and the Kentucky Horse Park Rolex Three Day Event.