OUT OF THE BLUE: MENNO BRABER

- Who are you?
Hello, I am Menno Braber, but you can call me Menno. I’m 21 years old and I have lived in Dordrecht, the oldest city of the Netherlands, my whole life. My job and education are in interior building and Sebastiaan (DM), as some of you may know, is a colleague of mine.

- What do you do at Beatrix’?
At first I started playing pit at Beatrix, but because of some issues a spot became available in the bass line (bass 3). So now I do my best to play along with the bass line.

How many hours per week do you practice?
Because of the switch to the Bass line, I had a lot of catching-up to do, so I practice at least half an hour a day. When I’m not practicing my music, I try to work on the show’s drill.

- How did you get to know Beatrix’?
I got to know Beatrix’ at contest with Jubal Drum & Bugle corps.

-Have you played with another corps before Beatrix’? If yes for how long?
In 2000 I started playing at Jong Jubal. That was the first time I got in touch with drumcorps. After playing snare at Jong Jubal for 5 years I made the choice to carry on with Jubal; as you may know there is no cure for the drumcorps disease! I started marching with Jubal in 2005. I started on cymbals in 2005, played in the pit in 2006, marched bass 5 in 2007 and 2008 and played baritone in 2009. And now I march bass 3 with Beatrix’ and this will be my 10th season.

- What is special about Beatrix’ ?
The special thing about Beatrix is that everyone is really nice to each other and that there is a golden atmosphere. So it’s a close society, a sort of big family.

- What is the reason you became a member of Beatrix’?
After playing at Jubal for a couple of years I decided it was time for something else, and Beatrix always made a good impression on me, so it wasn’t a difficult choice.

- What do you believe to be Beatrix’ power?
Beatrix’ strength is that every member has different interests outside of the club, but on the field everyone has the same goal, and the group is always a team.

- You may sometimes get asked what Beatrix’ is. How do you explain this?
I used to find this very difficult, I used to say we run all sorts of figures across the field and play music at the same time, just like in the film “Drumline”. I could give a difficult explanation, but we are just a type of marchng band.

- During Easter Camp you rehearse from 08:30 until 22:00. After this you have some time for yourself. You shower, eat and drink something and go to sleep, and on to the next rehearsal day. A lot of people would think you are crazy. What makes it all worth it?
The cool thing about this is that after a rehearsal day during camp you can enjoy the new show you just rehearsed and then relax en enjoy the evening with the friends that you get to know better this weekend.

- You have been a member for quite a while now. How did think about Beatrix before you were part of it and how do you think about Beatrix now?
Before I started playing at Beatrix I never even thought about joining this club. However, when I got the chance I grabbed it with both hands and haven’t regretted it since. So I work for 120% now and my opinion about Beatrix has changed a lot.

- Did you think, before you were a member, that you could make it with Beatrix’? Are you going to make it?
I started in the snare line but after a few weeks it became clear I wasn’t going to make it. When I started at the pit everything went well; I had done that before so I knew what I was doing. But playing bassdrum I find very fulfilling.

- What would you like to say to potential members who have doubts about their own level and chances to make it as a member of Beatrix’?
Drumcorps, like Beatrix, has no limit. I started at Jubal but switched to Beatrix’ because I felt very welcome there. Grab your chance, before you regret having missed it.

- Do you have anything left that you would like to say?
When you think you are at your best, you need to get even better. So let’s fire it up this year!