Instructional Staff
Dennis Tischhauser -Program Coordinator & Brass Caption Head
Mr. Tischhauser graduated with a Bachelor of Music Education Degree from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in 1983. Since then he has completed graduate work at ten Universities in three states. Mr. Tischhauser’s major instrument is trombone (Bass Trombone Specialist) and his minor areas are percussion, (Mallet Specialist), violin, and music composition. He also has studied flute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, saxophone, trumpet, horn, euphonium and tuba. In 2000-2001, Mr. Tischhauser was Director of Instrumental Music Activities at John F. Kennedy High School in Bloomington, MN. Prior to that, he successfully directed the Instrumental Music Program at Sisseton High School in Sisseton, SD for 16 years. While at Sisseton High School, his Jazz Ensemble accumulated numerous titles including six consecutive South Dakota Jazz Festival First Place finishes. Presently, Mr. Tischhauser is an active music studio teacher in the Twin Cities and guest conductor. He also remains active as a professional performing musician in various styles (Jazz to Classical). Mr. Tischhauser adjudicates music contests in three states and is a member of numerous professional music associations.
His drum corps experience began in 1958 when he was two months old and was brought to the “Spectacle of Music” show in South Milwaukee, WI. His marching experience began in 1973 and continued through 1976 as a baritone in the Americanos from Appleton, WI. In 1977 and 1978, Mr. Tischhauser was a solo baritone with Wausau Story from Wausau, WI, where he marched with Brigade Corps Director, Jim Young. In 1979, he concluded his Junior Corps marching experience as a baritone with the Blue Stars of La Crosse, WI. In 1982, Mr. Tischhauser was the Brass caption head for the Americanos and in 1985, he was a member of the marching and brass staffs of the Troopers from Casper, WY. Since 1999, Mr. Tischhauser has been a member of Minnesota Brass, Inc. from St. Paul. In 2002, he won the DCA Solo Baritone award and is the defending contra/tuba solo champion, having won in 2004, 2005, 2006 & 2007. He and Mrs. Tischhauser (also a Brigade staff member) are four-time Brass Duet champions at DCA having won 2003-2005 and again in 2007. Mr. & Mrs. Tischhauser are also members of Minnesota Brass, Inc., Minne-Brass, which won DCA’s Mini Corps competition in 2005.
“Many of my lifetime friends have come to me through my Drum Corps experiences. As a marching participant, I learned to never accept mediocrity and to always strive for perfection. During my Junior Corps experience, I was able to develop and refine many musical skills and perform with numerous outstanding musicians.”
Cynthia Tischhauser - Visual Caption Head
Cynthia Tischhauser graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture degree with an emphasis in Horticulture from South Dakota State University in Brookings, SD in 1998. She is presently employed at Len Busch Roses in Plymouth, MN as Inventory Control Lead of Potted Plants.
Mrs. Tischhauser’s music experiences in High School involved being a member of South Dakota’s All-State Jazz Ensemble in 1993 and a member of a marching band that never placed lower than 2nd in any competition. While at South Dakota State University (where she earned a music scholarship), she was a member of the Symphonic Band, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band and Orchestra. She was also a four-year member of the “Pride of the Dakotas” Marching Band, which marched in the 1996 Presidential Inaugural Parade. As a member of the “Pride”, she spent 3 years as a section leader. Mrs. Tischhauser also served as the Music Librarian for the Music Department while attending school there. Her principal instruments in High School and College were tenor and alto saxophone, bass clarinet, and soprano clarinet. Mrs. Tischhauser continues to play saxophone and clarinet in various adult ensembles. She has also played baritone and euphonium in several Twin Cities groups. Mrs. Tischhauser’s Drum Corps marching experience began in 2000 as a baritone in Minnesota Brass, Inc. from St. Paul, MN. She has been playing lead baritone since 2003 with the Corps. Mrs. Tischhauser along with Mr. Tischhauser (Brass Caption Head) won the Brass Duet caption at DCA three consecutive years (2003-2005) and again in 2007. She also is a member of Minnesota Brass, Inc.’s Minne-Brass, which won DCA’s Mini Corps competition in 2005.Mrs. Tischhauser’ philosophy as Visual Caption Head is that marching the dot is superior to marching forms because each individual is responsible for their position and errors effect only the individual committing them so they are more easily identified and fixed.
“In comparing the two marching genres that I have being involved in (Marching Band and Drum Corps), the attention to detail in Drum Corps is far greater and more passionate. Because of this, the personal satisfaction of a performance well done is of a higher and lasting quality. I have found that executing a drill move properly is as rewarding as playing the music correctly. The audience is appreciative for a well-performed drill also.”
Christina Rohr - Brass Tech & Visual Tech
Christina Rohr graduated from St. Mary’s University of Minnesota in 2001 with a bachelors in biology and chemistry. She currently attends the University of Minnesota School of Dentistry and will recieve her DDS in May of 2007.
Christina’s prinicpal instrument is trombone. She was a member of the All Confrence Band her junior and senior years in high school and participated in the marching band and many other ensembles. She recieved a music scholarship to St. Mary’s and participated in the Concert Band, Jazz Ensemble and Chamber Ensemble while attending. She currently substitutes with the Kenwood Symphony Orchestra from Minneapolis and has played with the Minneapolis Trombone Choir.
Christina joined Minnesota Brass Inc from St. Paul, MN in 2002 as a baritone. She has participated in the 2002, 2003 and 2005 seasons. She has also participated at I&E competetions at DCA. This is her second year with the Brigade and looks forward to a new season full of growth and promise.
“Drum Corps is an addiction. Performing a show and finishing with the crowd on their feet feeds that addiction and there isn’t another feeling like it in the world. It is what keeps me coming back for more. I feel that drum corps is a team sport with emphasis on the individual. Having the confidence of performing as an individual boosts up the team performance to give a great result. And that result is an accomplishment to be proud of.”
Meg Britain - Guard Tech
Meg Britain’s colorguard history starts way back in the 1990’s. The first time she spun was with the Northernaires winterguard in Menomonee, MI, which participated in the North Star Circuit and WGI circuit in 1997. After two years she entered high school where she marched for four years in a marching band colorguard. After High school she went on to march in The Pride colorguard at South Dakota State University, where she attended for one year. She then transferred to Eau Claire, where she marched with the Blugolds marching band for 2 years. She has recently marched the last two summers with the Colts drum & bugle corps, where she also aged-out.
Meg’s teaching and choreography experience started at age 16 with the John Marshall High School marching band colorguard in Rochester, MN. She continues to teach guard at Marshall HS, and additionally teaches at Rochester Mayo High School. She has also written and taught work for the UWEC Blugold marching band colorguard.
Meg is currently a Cosmetology student at The Professional Hair Design Academy in Eau Claire, WI. Before beauty school, Meg attended the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire for three years, majoring in Music Education (voice and piano), with an additional minor in Theatre arts and dance. She has received an Associates Degree at the University and in July will receive a Cosmetology license.
“The only way to achieve success is through hard work and dedication. Only when this goal is reached you can smile, sit back, and see what YOU have done.”
Mike Allen - Percussion Tech
Mike Allen grew up in Eau Claire, WI and was a member of the Sundowners Drum & Bugle Corps drum line from 1973-1975. His musical studies include a Bachelor of Music Education (Instrumental) degree from UW-Eau Claire (1981), Leigh Howard Stevens’ summer study course (1982) and the Army-Navy School of Music (1984). He was a member of the 77th Army Band at Fort Sill, OK from 1984-1986 and the Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (SHAPE) International Band in Casteau, Belgium from 1986-1991. He left the Army in 1991 and moved to Minneapolis, MN. He currently makes his living as a technical illustrator at Skyline Displays in Eagan, MN.
Throughout his career as a musician, he has gained expertise as a rudimental percussionist, concert marimbist and big band drummer - while also developing solid skills as a concert percussionist. He is a practitioner of the Stevens Method.
In 2004, he became one of the three founders (along with Dawn Card & Jim Young) of the Chippewa Valley Drum & Bugle Corps Association Inc., which is the parent organization of the Chippewa Valley Brigade. He is also the CVDBCA Marketing Director and runs the Brigade website.
“Drum & bugle corps has shaped my life. Through it, I have gained not only musical skills, but more importantly, the discipline to achieve whatever goals I set for myself. Wherever life leads me, I know I can always count on my drum corps training to guide me.”
Are you interested in a position with the Chippewa Valley Brigade? If so, please fill out our Staff Inquiry form.
