The Brass Band of Minot was started by a group of dedicated brass musicians in the Minot area in 1994. Wally Ost, who played with an informal brass group at area churches, and James Thornton, the Director of Bands at Minot State University at the time, were both interested in starting a British-style brass band as part of the brass band resurgence of the late 1980’s and early 1990’s. Thornton hosted a brass band workshop for community members, and afterwards Thornton, the group that played with Ost, and the workshop attendees combined forces to create the Brass Band of Minot. Several of the original members are still playing in the band today. Brass Band players represent a large range of backgrounds, ages, and abilities from high school students to retired music educators.
Brass Band of Minot 