As most of you know, the drum & bugle corps activity has a rich heritage in Wisconsin, with marching units scattered throughout the State. With thousands of young adults in the activity, dating and serious relationships among drum corps alumni are not uncommon – in many cases leading to marriage. This was the case for Madison residents John Weekes and Cristin McKenna, who were marching members from two different drum and bugle corps. They married in 2006 and are now proud parents of sons Michael and Matthew Weekes. John and Cristin’s union was typical in many ways. However, they shared an especially unique bond – each had tragically lost a close family member to Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS).

The brass section is on its way to Wisconsin for their February rehearsal weekend. Part of my pre-Madison Scouts rehearsal camp ritual is spent reviewing the corps' historical archives and visiting historic locations in town. Today I find myself in a hotel and coffee shop on the former site of Christ Presbyterian Church, where the first rehearsal in February of 1938 was held. As I read, I realize that as much as the activity and Madison Scouts have evolved, it's relatively easy to spot the educational, cultural, and social through-lines that connect us to our past. As I find these documents, I'll be sure to share them here for those who find them interesting. Entertainment, excellence, music and performance education, character development, service to others, human connection, life-long bonds...All since day one. (The two photos of news clips come from the December 8, 1991 issue of the 'Fleur-de-Lis', the former Madison Scouts newsletter that many likely recall. The 1940-41 photos come from C.H. Beebe's scrapbook archives that were recently digitized.) Shoutout to the 1991/92 corps brothers -- These are my personal favorite Madison Scouts productions... --

Rockin4ALS and The ALS Association – Wisconsin are pleased to announce the John and Susan Burmeister ALS Volunteer Memorial Fund. John Burmeister was a well-known Madison Scouts Alum and Corps supporter. He and his wife, Susan, joined the Rockin4ALS volunteer family in 2017.

We lost John to cancer last year, and he is missed dearly, but his passion for ALS patients continues to live on, driven by the efforts of his Madison Scouts Brothers, who raised more than $5,000 to launch this memorial fund.

As the 2022 Madison Scouts season winds down to its conclusion, we would like to take a moment to congratulate and welcome the newest class of alumni to MSAA. Welcome alumni age-out class of 2022: