Scouts Update with the Scouts Corps Director

Greetings Alumni,

 

The Madison Scouts are gearing up for our 89th season, with auditions kicking off this weekend.

 

 

Nov. 23 - Dayton, OH & Newark, NJ

Nov. 30 - Marietta, GA

Dec. 7 - Garland, TX

 

Dec. 19-21 - Milwaukee, WI (Greenfield HS)

 

Prospective Scouts are busy preparing their material, and our strong returning veteran pool will provide a solid foundation for the corps to stand on.

 

 

Percussion: Donnie Ross (2023-Present) & James Sparling (2024-Present)

Color Guard: PJ Tankard (2023-Present)

Brass: Bo Sodders (2024-Present)

 

David LofyWe're thrilled to welcome Blake Daughtrey back to the organization as he leads the Visual Caption. Blake taught the corps previously from 2012-16, and was Caption Head (13-16). He'll be leading his team with the help of two Alums -- Taylor Rock (2013-16) and Andrew Desmond (2013-14). The rest of the team will be announced soon. You'll see a mix of returning staff, new faces, and Alumni.

 

 

 

KJ Stafford - Music Design Supervisor

Scott Boerma - Music Director & Brass Arranger

Matt Hahn - Front Ensemble Arranger

James Sparling - Battery Arranger

Tim Mitchell - Sound Designer

 

Chad Berkstresser - Guard Supervisor & Visual Coordinator

Jeremy Hunt - Visual Supervisor & Drill Designer

 

Consistency in Education and Design staff has been among our primary goals post-pandemic, and we're proud of the experience our team has fostered for the Madison Scouts Membership.

 

 

We continue to do all we can to be strong stewards of the organization we all care deeply about. In challenging economic times, we are finding creative solutions to keep the drum corps viable for decades to come. We're appreciative of the financial and volunteer support that you provide, and invite you to continue your participation in whichever ways are achievable:

• Provide airport shuttling service at our camps (Milwaukee) or while we're on the road during the Summer.
• Volunteer to cook and serve food to the corps (camps and Summer).
• Volunteer for the Drums on Parade tailgate.
• Volunteer at our two corps-run events: Whitewater (July 11) and Madison (July 24)
• Join the Alumni Association Board of Directors to support special projects.
• Donate to the C.H. Beebe Scholarship Fund if you wish to have your donation directly applied to a deserving member. Madison Scouts apply for this scholarship -- those who demonstrate the greatest financial need and have put notable effort into their own fundraising typically receive this support.

 

I realize that it's rare for many of you to hear directly from the corps members, so I thought I'd share a few quotes from the Summer Feedback survey the members completed in 2025 (they've authorized us to use these quotes publicly) -- 

 

"As a member who rooked out at The Madison Scouts, I will never regret my decision of giving my last season to this amazing ensemble. Not only is it incredible to be building upon a legacy with such rich history but you also get to experience one of the best cultures in DCI. The staff educated and elevated the experience and growth of every member no matter where they started. My home will forever be with the Scouts and I hope others find their way here too." - Tanner Shell, Tuba

 

"Being a Madison Scout is like no other feeling. The culture and legacy at this place is strong and something that compels through every rep and through every performance" - Dustin Baker, Mellophone

 

"Being a part of the Madison Scouts for the past 2 summers has been the best decision of my life. Walking in day one I immediately felt welcomed by the staff and the members, while also being pushed to find a better version of myself, not only as a person but a performer." - Miranda Barrett, Mellophone

 

"Madison is a place where any individual from any background can thrive, where one can reinvent themselves free of judgment. We are built upon a foundation of honor, passion, resilience, and a common goal of portraying excellence in all that we do." - Lex Rodrigues Monteiro, Drum Major

 

"The Madison Scouts are special. There is truly an aura around the organization and a pride in everyone in it. As a scout, you learn to push beyond what you think your limits are, and you do it with 160+ members of your family around you, every single day." - Aaron Albert, Snare

 

"The Madison Scouts gave me an unforgettable summer. I have said it all summer long that I wouldn't want to be anywhere else, and I meant it every time. The Scouts taught me about myself in who I was becoming as a performer, but also as an individual. I'm also proud to say it teaches me how to become an incredible educator, that I aspire to become. MYNWA" - Kenton Landrigan, Baritone

 

"The Madison Scouts has made me into a better performer and a better person. I learned that I am so much stronger than I think, and that I can do anything if I work hard and believe in myself. I wouldn’t be the same person I am now without this experience - I am so much more confident and happy than I have ever been." - Lucy Palmer, Color Guard

 

 

As part of our partnership with the Wisconsin School Music Association, Forward Performing Arts sponsors the Championship trophies at the State Marching Band Championships.

 

A special congratulations goes out to Bryan Jaeckel, '98 & 00-01 (River Falls HS) and Guy Gregg, '04 (Oak Creek HS), and their students on the WSMA State Championship victories. 

 

Additional appreciation is given to the many Alumni who are doing life-changing work in music education in the State of Wisconsin.

 

 

FPA also receives one presentation slot at the Wisconsin Music Education Conference each October. This year, PJ Tankard (Guard Caption Head), presented a session on 'Color Guard Basics for Band Directors'. We intend to run a second session in 2026 that includes more hands-on experience with color guard equipment -- don't miss it!

 

 

May You Never Walk Alone,

 

David