We’re excited to kick off a brand-new feature celebrating the incredible individuals who have marched with the Madison Scouts over the years: the Alumni Spotlight! Each month, we’ll shine a light on one of our alums, sharing their journey both on and off the field.
Through these stories, we’ll explore who they were during their time with the Scouts, who they’ve become today, and the profound impact the Madison Scouts had on their lives. From life-changing lessons learned on the field to lifelong friendships and career-defining moments, the Alumni Spotlight is your chance to see how the Madison Scouts experience resonates far beyond the drum corps season.
Our first alumni to enter the Spotlight: Joe Murray
In September of 1968, I was 13 years old and newly arrived in Madison, Wisconsin, having just moved from West Chicago, Illinois. One day, as I walked down my street, I saw a guy sitting in front of his house, polishing a pair of black dress shoes and a large brass bugle (a baritone). Curious, I asked him what he was doing. He told me he was a former member of the Madison Scouts and a new recruit with the 32nd Hussar’s Drum and Bugle Corps, based in Madison. As a kid who had always dreamed of playing the drums, I asked if I could learn how to drum with them. He said I could, and I eagerly joined, along with my brother Mark, who shared the same passion for drumming.
In short, we both marched with the 32nd Hussar’s from 1969 to 1972, until the corps folded. Then, we joined the Madison Scouts, where we both played snare from 1973 to 1976. Our original drum instructors, Dick Naulty and Lyle Sigglekow—both former Madison Scouts—had returned to the corps after the Hussars disbanded in 1972. Under their guidance, we worked hard, honed our skills, and prepared ourselves for the next step in drum corps—the “big leagues” with the Scouts.
And big it turned out to be. In 1973, the Scouts finished 4th; in 1974, 2nd; in 1975, 1st; and in 1976, 2nd. One world championship gold medal and two silvers later, the Madison Scouts of the mid-1970s were a force to be reckoned with—loud, proud, and always striving to please the crowd. The eight years Mark and I spent as members of two drum and bugle corps were formative. The discipline, work ethic, and lessons we learned stayed with us and shaped our careers for years to come.
Today, at 69 years old, I’m preparing to retire and transition into part-time consulting for the Wisconsin REALTORS Association (WRA), where I’ve spent the last 37 years. As a lobbyist and Political Director for much of my professional life, I can say that the work habits I learned through the 32nd Hussar’s and the Madison Scouts have been invaluable. Just like in drum corps, there were challenges and setbacks, but the experiences and lessons from those eight years helped me succeed in my career. If I had to do it all over again, I wouldn’t change a thing.
Once a Madison Scout, always a Madison Scout. May you never walk alone!
Want to be featured in the next Alumni Spotlight?
Are you a Madison Scouts alum with a story to share? We’d love to hear from you! Whether your time with the Scouts was decades ago or just a few years back, your story is a vital part of our shared history.
Click the link below to submit your information and be considered for next month’s spotlight:
https://forms.gle/wzMkurWrgnBVNDDF