On the evening of August 26, 2026, Madison Scouts alumni gathered across distance and time zones for a virtual night of fellowship, reminiscence, and friendly competition. Organized by Frank Wateska (1974-77) in partnership with Bill Ives’ Marching Pageantry Arts Museum (MPAM), the online event gave the Scouts family a wonderful opportunity to connect via Zoom, swap stories, and put their knowledge to the test.

The 90-minute gathering brought together a tight-knit group of up to 18 attendees, with 13 to 14 alumni actively diving into the evening’s main attraction: a robust four-round trivia challenge. Each round featured 10 questions spanning the decades from the early iteration of the corps in 1920, through the 1938 re-establishment that began the corps’ unbroken, continuous history, all the way up to the early 2020s. The trivia covered a vast field of corps lore, prompting participants to recall everything from historic founders, Boy Scout Troop affiliation, championship seasons, and iconic shows, to changing uniforms, competitive placements, female performers, and classic musical repertoires. Presiding over the quiz rounds and keeping the official tallies was Jon Schrack, whose deep roots as a marching member (1970–71, 1973–77), Assistant Drum Major (1975), and Drum Major (1976–77) made him the perfect master of ceremonies.

We're down to less than a week, and many people have said yes, though a few are still unsure. We recently sent a reminder to MCA subscribers and others interested via our email list (Aug 15), letting them know we have two weeks left to accept surveys, so don't be on the outside looking in! Even if you are not 100% certain, send us your survey by September 1st. You can fill out your survey by going here or read on about the numbers for each section.

Meet our Alumni Class of the 2026 Season

As the 2026 Madison Scouts season winds down, we would like to congratulate and welcome our newest class of alumni to MSAA.

As you close this chapter of your drum corps journey, a new one begins. The Madison Scouts Alumni Association (MSAA) is excited to welcome you, the 30 newest members, to a community that stretches back generations. The MSAA provides opportunities for you to stay connected to the corps and the people who shared this unique experience with you.

On Saturday night, August 25, the Madison Scouts Alumni Reunion Project (MSARP) celebrated the 20th anniversary of its spectacular performance at the 2006 Drum Corps International Finals in Madison at Camp Randall Stadium. The anniversary banquet was held in the ballroom of the DoubleTree Hilton Madison East. Most of the 100-plus attendees had also enjoyed the excellent lineup at the annual Drums on Parade show at Mansfield Stadium the night before. It was a special weekend for alumni, family, and friends to celebrate past achievements and renew the lifelong friendships that come with being a Madison Scout.

The banquet program included a pre-dinner "mix and mingle," a Madison Scouts Hall of Fame presentation, and a multimedia presentation highlighting the incredible effort behind putting the 2006 Reunion Corps on the field in front of 20,000 adoring fans. Banquet organizers were Scott Stewart, Scott Pearson, and Randy Ferry.

My annual summer journey from Miami to Madison is always a highlight of the year, but this year’s trip carried a special significance. The weekend of July 24–25, 2026, marked the 20th anniversary of the Madison Scouts Reunion Project performance at the DCI World Championships in Madison in 2006—a milestone that brought together generations of Scouts and created a renewed appreciation for the traditions we share.

From the opening gathering at the Parthenon through the celebration at the Reunion Project banquet, there was a remarkable sense of belonging. The weekend was a reminder that being part of the Madison Scouts is more than a connection to a particular year or era; it is membership in a continuing legacy. Conversations with alumni across generations reinforced the unique fraternity that has always defined the organization.

Wrapping Up the 2026 Season

The 2026 DCI season is almost over. Very soon we’ll be closing the book and looking ahead to next year. But let’s revel in this year for a bit longer…

The corps has been on a tear this season, “spinning” up a show that is the fan favorite everywhere they go. The brass line is immaculate and brain-melting. The final minute of the show is non-stop energy that has me grinning from ear to ear the entire time. This will be a production that we look back on as a new Madison Scouts classic.

'What was good enough in July...'

The Madison Scouts have been working diligently to clean MadiSpin, a show that has received quite favorable responses from audiences across the Tour. We're proud to provide the audience with a program that they respond so strongly to, and are doing everything in our power to maximize its potential as we head into the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis next week.

July was an active month for alumni participation in performances at the Cedarburg Parade and both Madison Scouts DCI shows. We also held a reunion recognizing the 20th anniversary of the MSARP performance in 2006. The release of a new future performance in Ireland was also announced at the beginning of the Drums on Parade weekend.