Madison Scouts Alumni,
The Summer will be here before we know it! Here are a few corps updates as we roll into Spring Training.
Winter Season
David Lofy The corps will reconvene for April Camp in Greenfield & Oak Creek, WI on April 24-26. If you're local, please visit OCHS between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. on Sunday if you're interested in hearing the music ensemble perform the show music. We'd love to see green jackets in the bleachers.
A special shoutout goes to two Alumni who are responsible for 'unlocking the doors' at these two facilities in the Milwaukee-metro. We're incredibly grateful to have excellent facilities to rehearse in -- please join us in thanking:
- Greenfield HS Band Director - Trudy Burnham (2021)
- Oak Creek HS Band Director - Guy Gregg (2003)
Alumni Volunteer Spotlight
We're grateful for the dedication of the following Alumni volunteers who have been able to assist with driving, merchandise sales, and other needs during the Winter season:
- Chuck Cournoyer (1974)
- Josh Davey (2024-25)
- Boyd Garey (1984 & '88)
- Andrew Irving (1986)
- Doug Lindner (1976-78)
Legacy Member
Congratulations to Michael Brence (2003-04), whose son, Michael Brence Jr., earned a position in the mellophone section (at 15 years old)!
Cedarburg, WI: Alumni & Current Corps Combined Parade
Craig Mason suggested an excellent Alumni performance idea that we are excited to announce. Since 1998, the Madison Scouts have spent the 4th of July in Cedarburg, WI -- the primary connection being to Layton Olsen, whose son, Ryan, played Timpani in the corps at the time.
The Olsen family continues to support the corps by inviting them to participate in the 4th of July celebration and by providing an incredible 'Piggly Wiggly Meal' (pulled pork, mac & cheese, cookies, etc.) for lunch after the parade. This has become a valued tradition in the corps.
We're inviting all Madison Scouts Alumni to participate in the 1.1-mile parade alongside the corps. Musicians would prepare the two-minute parade tune in advance— a Beer Barrel Polka & On Wisconsin medley. Color Guard performers will learn the ripple-parade choreography on-site.
Visually, the tune allows for a mix of traditional marching & playing, and the singing of the Beer Barrel Polka chorus while high-fiving and directly engaging with the parade audience -- much like what we did at Mardi Gras.
At the conclusion of the parade, Alumni will rehydrate and congregate in Fireman's Park to cheer on the corps as they perform a standstill concert. Afterward, we'll head back to Cedarburg High School to sing YNWA together and share the Piggly Wiggly Meal.
While this concludes the time with the current corps, Alumni are encouraged to stick around for the evening fireworks (usually ~9 p.m.). I suspect someone will designate a watering hole to hang out at. Cedarburg is a wonderful location to spend the 4th of July, and is very family-friendly.
Craig and I will provide more information soon—hotel block, sign-up, etc. —so keep an eye on the MSAA Facebook page, the MadisonScoutsAlumni.org website, and your email for further details. If you are not registered to receive email, you can use the sign-up link at the bottom of our Alumni website.
Band Directors -- Summer Camp Program Notice
We will be hosting three 'Summer Camp' experiences for high school students this year, and we'd love for your students to get involved if you're teaching. I'm thrilled to share that we're partnering with three University marching band directors to provide a world-class experience for participants.
- June 23 - Hammond, WI, with Dr. Kara Metzger from UW-Eau Claire
- July 11 - Whitewater, WI, with Dr. Glenn Hayes from UW-Whitewater
- July 24 - Madison, WI, with Dr. Corey Pompey from UW-Madison
Campers will spend the day with Madison Scouts staff and these University partners as they prepare to perform alongside the drum corps in the evening encore. They perform our parade tune and historical excerpts (to be determined).
There is also a Band Director track run by Dr. Mark Waymire, former Music Education Faculty member at the University of Southern Mississippi, DCI/BOA/WGI judge, and Madison Scouts Program Coordinator.
Wisconsin Band Directors -- Whitewater & Madison Ticket Program
In an effort to support music education in the State of Wisconsin, the Madison Scouts have been providing free tickets to the Whitewater event for the last four years. Last year, we distributed over 1,500 tickets, but unfortunately, the event was canceled due to rain. We will again be offering this opportunity and can now provide tickets to the Madison show with our shift to Mansfield Stadium.
Keep an eye out for information on both the Summer Camp and Ticket Program sign-up. Bundling these two opportunities together makes for an inspiring day!
Summer Tour - Drivers
We're upgrading our volunteer, staff, and admin travel for the Summer and will be utilizing 5, 'BandWagons'. These are 10-bunk vehicles that will allow our team to rest and recover more fully before supporting and teaching the corps each day. This is an important quality-of-life upgrade for the organization.
That said, we need drivers for our July 5-August 5 tour stretch with these vehicles.
Requirements: 25+ years old, standard license (do not need CDL), experience driving larger vehicles, ability to pass a standard background check
If you're interested in covering a stretch or the entire tour, be sure to get in touch with Operations Director Greg Mizak at
Summer Tour - Volunteers
If you have availability this Summer, consider joining us on the road as a Volunteer. We're always seeking assistance with Food Operations, Driving, Sewing, and other day-to-day tasks.
For more information, contact Angela Pedroza at
You'll Never Walk Alone,
David
