Madison Scouts Alumni,
I trust you've all had a fine start to your Summer season.
The Madison Scouts are actively engaged in 'Spring Training' or 'Pre-Tour,' as some may know it. The corps is in fantastic spirits as we've completed the show and are eager to hit the road on June 27th. We'll eventually be making our way down to Whitewater for a series of rehearsal days and 'Picture Day' before Drums on Parade on July 1. If you haven't already, buy your tickets at DCI.org. The corps will once again be visiting the tailgate after our COVID-19 hiatus. We're excited to sing our SATB version of You'll Never Walk Alone,' arranged by Scott Boerma, with you.
You'll Never Walk Alone (134.91 KB)
David Lofy
On July 8, we host The Whitewater Classic, which boasts a fantastic lineup of 11 corps. The final FPA event of the Summer takes place in Eau Claire on July 12, ideal for the many alums based in Northern WI and Minneapolis/St. Paul.
Alumni, friends, and family have asked, 'How are the Madison Scouts this year?' Here are some of the immediate thoughts that come to mind...
Getting ready for a fun season
- We have a talented membership that consistently shows up eager to learn and who also treats each other with class, respect, and professionalism. I'm sure many of you recall the personal and performance standards you were held to daily. The key to your success was likely how well you held yourself and the members around you accountable to those standards. While the staff guided it, I'm certain the members were the primary drivers of the culture. This stands true today and is an important transferable to take beyond drum corps. Of course, our bosses hold power to hold us accountable, but if we're truly excellent at our work, it's because we hold ourselves to the highest standard day in and day out. I hope that the membership recognizes the acquisition of this critical skill when they reflect on their time with the corps many years from now.
- The Education team has fostered an environment of positivity, honesty, excellence, professionalism, and kindness. In my experience, drum corps often struggle to educate with those values at the forefront. Some may say there's an intensity lost, and I find it quite the opposite. We have intensity around the 'right' things -- performing at our best, taking care of ourselves during rest time, leaving facilities better than we found them, showing earnest gratitude to volunteers, etc. Where some drum corps experiences of the past may have been motivated by fear, the Madison Scouts motivate via the values listed above. Madison has regularly been a leader in 'doing things the right way,' we continue to hold ourselves to that high bar. I think this culture traces back through the Komnick/Peterson, Salas, Stewart, Howard, and Beebe eras.
Gathering for a Sound Garden
- The Design team has constructed a show that places education, entertainment, and the balance of modernity/tradition at the forefront. While there are many exciting components to 'The Sound Garden,' I'm most eager for you to hear the Stan Kenton chart in action. Did someone say trombones?! If you missed the live stream on Saturday, you're in for a treat when you see the corps live.
Working on beats for the seats
Our leadership team regularly returns to the concept of 'Kaizen,' the idea that small, ongoing positive changes reap significant improvements. Our commitment to this process makes me optimistic and confident that we are delivering an experience to the Madison Scouts membership that is deep, meaningful, and lasting. If you have time this Summer, please consider volunteering--contact asst. Director, Tina Jameson at
We'll see you down the road.
MYNWA,
David
