Meet the Band
| Music Director, Conductor | Cornet | Flugelhorn | Tenor Horn | Baritone | Trombone | Euphonium | Bass | Percussion |
Soprano Cornet
Patrick Echlin
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2013 |
| "Real" Job | Band, Choir, and Orchestra Teacher | |
| Employer | Ann Arbor Preparatory High School (Ypsilanti) | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I needed an excuse to stay in shape on the trumpet. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Pumpkin pie |
Solo Cornet
Shane Tucker
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2011 |
| "Real" Job | Specialty project management | |
| Employer | Self-employed | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | This group lets me play with talented and dedicated brass band musicians. Being a part of the MCBB is an exciting and challenging experience that's a lot of fun! | |
| Favorite Dessert | Anything I can get |
Austin Flowers
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2017 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |
Kelby Weilnau
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Year Joined MCBB | 2013 |
| "Real" Job | Noise and Vibration Engineering Consultant | |
| Employer | Sound Answers, Inc. | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | When I moved to SE Michigan I wanted to continue playing and performing in an ensemble setting. MCBB is a great ensemble to be in, because as a whole we challenge ourselves in order to push toward that "next level" of performance. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Cheesecake |
Eric Campbell
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2017 |
| "Real" Job | Engineering Manager | |
| Employer | Comcast | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | Being from Battle Creek originally, not being involved with a Brass Band is unthinkable as a brass player. I moved to the Detroit Area in 2016 and the very great reputation of MCBB inspired me to ask for the honor to join. I am always surprised by the dedication and hard work that each member gives to make this one of the very best brass ensembles around. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Double Dark Chocolate Ice Cream |
Repiano Cornet
Joe Robertson
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 1997 |
| "Real" Job | Teacher/Dentist | |
| Employer | Oakland Community College and self-employed | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | Enjoy the music and the camaradarie. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Carrot cake |
1st Cornet
Burr Huntington
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | IT Tech, retired Film Production Sound Mixer | |
| Employer | 1st Call Computer Solutions | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | What's a mere 35-year hiatus? (One CAN comeback... I practiced in the woodshed for six years until I could join the constant challenge of the MCBB!) Making music with outstanding musicians is a joie de vie. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Mexican Hot Chocolate Coconut Trifle |
Otto Alcon
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Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | Licensed Mortgage Loan Officer | |
| Employer | Geneva Financial | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I was asked to join and considered this a great opportunity to play some outstanding music AND become a member of this outstanding organization. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Fruit tort |
2nd Cornet
Martin Slominis
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Year Joined MCBB | 2017 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |
Walter Smith
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Year Joined MCBB | 2002 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |
Flugelhorn
Deb Kuptz
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Year Joined MCBB | 1996 |
| "Real" Job | Music Therapist | |
| Employer | Community Health - Center for Forensic Psychiatry | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | Because being a part of this group is a real 'blast' | |
| Favorite Dessert | I have to choose? |
Tenor Horn
Jennifer Kmet
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 1998 |
| "Real" Job | Paraprofessional Wyandotte Center Based Program | |
| Employer | Wyandotte Schools | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I love playing in MCBB because it is a place that I can play and be challenged even though I did not go into music performance. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Chocolate Mousse |
Keera Allen
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | Quality Analyst | |
| Employer | Auto Owners Insurance | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I joined the MCBB because I have always loved playing in brass band ever since playing at CMU, and this was the perfect opportunity for me to be a part of a brass band again! | |
| Favorite Dessert | CHEESECAKE! |
Heather Harrison
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Year Joined MCBB | 2017 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |
Baritone
Conner Heinle
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Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | Substitute teacher | |
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I was looking for an opportunity to continue playing my instrument, and MCBB had some fantastic opportunities available. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Creme brulee |
Andrew Hutchinson
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Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | Quality Representative | |
| Employer | Caravan Facilities Management | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I was looking to continue playing my instrument after college and the MCBB struck me as a great opportunity. It turns out, it is! It's a lot of fun to be able to play with these great musicians. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Cheesecake |
Trombone
Elizabeth Goulet
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Year Joined MCBB | 2008 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I played in Brass Band at CMU and loved it. While I was there, I learned about Motor City, and hoped that one day I would get the chance to be a part of this wonderful group. Playing in a brass band is the best. You get a ton of playing time instead of rest! | |
| Favorite Dessert | Dark Chocolate ice cream |
Bob Clark
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 2011 |
| "Real" Job | Retired Public High School Band Director and Administrator | |
| Employer | Rochester Community Schools | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | The camaraderie of the group is outstanding, the repertoire demanding and the rehearsals are fun but very focused. This band is the best I've performed with in a long time and I am very proud to be a member. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Creme Brulee at the Annex in Stratford, Ontario |
Paul Yee
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Year Joined MCBB | 2016 |
| "Real" Job | Shipping/Accounting | |
| Employer | MedEx Direct | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | After subbing with this group, I was asked to become a regular member and gladly accepted. I really enjoy playing with this dedicated group of musicians. | |
| Favorite Dessert | My problem...too many to name just one! |
Bass Trombone
John Martin
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Year Joined MCBB | 1999 |
| "Real" Job | City Manager | |
| Employer | City of Sylvan Lake | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I was roped into it... OK, I was asked to sub, loved it and asked if I could stay. Great music, great people, great director. |
|
| Favorite Dessert | I'm on a diet |
Euphonium
Mark Stephens
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Year Joined MCBB | 1999 |
| "Real" Job | Instructional Technology Designer | |
| Employer | Wayne State University School of Medicine | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I enjoy the challenging and varied music, the busy performance schedule, and the great friendships I have developed in the band. But most important, it is loads of FUN! | |
| Favorite Dessert | Chocolate Chip Cookies |
Bona Opatich
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 1997 |
| "Real" Job | Band Director and music teacher | |
| Employer | Redford Union Schools | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I love performing music with my friends. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Ice cream |
Eb Bass
Toby Kmet
 |
Year Joined MCBB | 1998 |
| "Real" Job | High school and middle school band teacher | |
| Employer | Southgate Public Schools | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I love to play my instrument, and brass band allows me to play a lot. The music for brass band is also much more active than standard concert band literature. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Any dessert that follows lunch or dinner. |
Bertrand Lanher
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Year Joined MCBB | 2015 |
| "Real" Job | Director - Advanced Products | |
| Employer | Sensors, Inc. | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | British-Style Brass Band music in the company of equally passionate brass players! What other reasons would one need? | |
| Favorite Dessert | Omelette Norvégienne |
Bb Bass
Casey Rakowski
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Year Joined MCBB | 2002 |
| "Real" Job | Assistant Principal | |
| Employer | Mt. Clemens Montessori Academy | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | Bona Opatich told me she was in this really great band that I should join and 13 years later I am still there. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Cheesecake |
Randy Safford
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Year Joined MCBB | 1998 |
| "Real" Job | Attorney | |
| Employer | Safford & Baker, PLLC | |
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | Because brass band music is the most enjoyable and most challenging music for brass players, and MCBB is comprised of great musicians who are also fun to be with. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Gelato of any kind |
Lazarus Kmet
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Year Joined MCBB | 2017 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |
Percussion
Brian Cheatham
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Year Joined MCBB | 2011 |
| "Real" Job | Management | |
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I play in the MCBB because I LOVE to play. I started playing again after a few years off and I’m just having a ball as well as being challenged | |
| Favorite Dessert | PIE. Any kind of PIE |
Misty Smaltz
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Year Joined MCBB | 2012 |
| "Real" Job | Teacher | |
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | I enjoy making music with this wonderful group. | |
| Favorite Dessert | Banana Split |
Pat Fisher
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Year Joined MCBB | 2015 |
| "Real" Job | ||
| Employer | ||
| Why Did You Join MCBB? | ||
| Favorite Dessert |