“The evolution of color guard in drum corps was really very evident in the late 70s and into the 80s,” said Chris Komnick, Scouts Executive Director. “For a male guard member, the options were limited to only a few corps. The Madison Scouts had developed a premier color guard program and even won the color guard title in 1983. But since that time, more and more corps began welcoming male color guard members into their units, effectively thinning the ranks of available male guard talent.”

Recognizing the need to strengthen the guard program, Scouts guard alumnus Mike Anello (82-83) conceived the idea of the Color Guard Fellowship. Recruiting fellow guard alums Chuck Henson (81-84) and Rich Rodes (85-88), the Fellowship set forth to re-engage guard alumni from all eras and raise scholarship funds for incoming guard members.

“The Fellowship has been a very powerful recruiting tool,” stated Dann Petersen, corps director. “We have been able to effectively capture more talent into our program and attract some highly skilled instructors in the process. Since the start of the Fellowship, our guard program has steadily increased in its competitive placement.”

Since its inception, the Fellowship has raised and awarded over $40,000 in tuition scholarships for color guard members. But the support has gone well beyond the scholarship program alone.

“Recently alumnus Kurt Wouters (85, 87, 88), a United Airlines employee, helped obtain discounted flight passes for three new recruits flying in from Florida,” says Petersen. “Then when their flights got cancelled on the way home, Kurt then got them booked into the airport hotel and reschedule for a morning flight. Kurt single-handedly turned a parent’s nightmare into a representation of how Madison Scouts take care of their own.”

Alumnus and former caption head Chad Duggan (86-89) continues to provide his support to the color guard and the Fellowship. Each year his company, Dance Sophisticates, designs and produces the color guard costume. “Chad donates his design time and helps keep productions costs to a minimum,” stated Komnick. “His contributions each year are significant.”

At the recent 2012 WGI Championships, the Madison Scouts held an alumni reception at the Dayton Marriott. “It was a chance to celebrate our past success and support our future,” says Komnick. “Dozens of guard members and instructors from several decades gather to reunite and share stories well into the night. It was quite a sight to see so many of the most influential players in the color guard activity all gathered in one place. Everyone had a great time and we will definitely do this again next year.”

The Madison Scouts Color Guard Fellowship is a program that offers scholarships to new and returning guard members in an effort to grow the program and help those most deserving of financial assistance. This past week, 10 new scholarship were awarded to recently contracted color guard members.

We ask for your continued support by contributing to the Fellowship. Donations can be made securely online at www.MadisonGear.com

Or by sending a check to:

Madison Scouts
Attn: Color Guard Fellowship
2935 S. Fish Hatchery Rd #401
Madison, WI 53711

The Madison Scouts and Merrillville High School “Band of Pirates” are pleased to announce the Merrillville Music Festival, a Drum Corps International (DCI) tour event scheduled for June 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (Central Time) at Merrillville High School’s Demaree Stadium.

The show is headlined by perennial crowd-pleasers the Madison Scouts (Madison, WI) as well as DCI finalists the Bluecoats (Canton, OH), Blue Stars (La Crosse, WI) and the Spirit of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA). Rounding out the evening’s lineup are world-class corps the Glassmen (Toledo, OH) and Pioneer (Milwaukee, WI) as well as the Colt Cadets (Dubuque, IA), Legends (Kalamazoo, MI) and the Racine Scouts (Racine, WI).

“We are pleased to bring this event to the Merrillville community and to work with the Merrillville High School band on what will ultimately be a fundraiser for them,” stated Chris Komnick, Madison Scouts executive director. “A music event of this magnitude will bring thousands of people into the community and will provide the audience a great night of family entertainment.”

Once plans were finalized, the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority quickly recognized the opportunity and committed to be a premier-level sponsor for the event. “We are excited to have a show like this taking place in our community,” said Spero Batistatos, President and CEO of the South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority.  ”We are working with local businesses to help them benefit from those audience members attending the show.”

“The Merrillville High School Band is thrilled to partner with the Scouts on hosting this event.” said Christopher Haddad, band director. “Not only do we get to experience a great event, but the band program will benefit from the ticket sales and business sponsorships.”

Drum Corps International, the governing body of the activity, will present over 100 events throughout North America for its 2012 summer tour.  Forty-five independent participating groups (corps) perform a twelve minute musical and visual show as part of a tour event. Adjudicated in a number of different categories, each group is scored and ranked by the end of the evening. But competition aside, the audience will get to experience a wide range of musical genres from classical, jazz, Broadway, big band and even rock & roll.

Proceeds from the show go to benefit the Merrillville High School Band and the Madison Scouts, both non-profit youth music organizations.

Tickets can be purchased online by going to www.MerrillvilleMusicFestival.com or by calling (317) 275-1212. Ticket prices range from $15-25 with discounts available for families and group sales.

For those businesses interested in sponsoring and advertising at the event, please contact Chris Komnick at ckomnick@madisonscouts.org or (859) 803-3463.

The Golf Outing will be held on the same day as Drums on Parade but provides plenty of time for the golfers to participate in all the day’s activities!

REGISTER NOW >

Bridges Golf Course
2702 Shopko Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

$150 Per Player Includes:
- 18 holes w/ cart
- lunch included
- hole prizes
- free coupon to play Bridges for only $18

Join us for a great round of golf while supporting the Scouts!

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS for FRIDAY, JUNE 22, 2012

8:00 a.m. – “Go for the Green” – 7th Annual Golf Outing
Bridges Golf Course – Madison, WI

4:30 p.m. – Alumni & Fan Preshow Tailgate
Fireman’s Park adjacent to the Stadium
Featuring live music, food and drinks!

7:00 p.m. – 60th Annual “Drums on Parade”

Drivers are required to have a current CDL license & Class A certification and the bus driver requires a passenger endorsement. Drivers must be willing and capable to drive overnight, are comfortable in unfamiliar driving locations, and capable of maneuvering the trailers in limited spaces. Drivers must participate as part of the fleet team that includes traveling with the entire fleet (5 buses, 2 semi-trailers, support vehicles) and keep the required DOT documentation current while traveling.

Applicants will be asked to provide a 3-year driving history, DOT documentation, and be willing to take a drug test as required. Transportation to and from the corps’ location on tour can be provided and wages are negotiable.

Interested drivers should contact Drew Hadley at jhadley001@cinci.rr.com

One of the most inspired drum corps alumni events anywhere is the annual “Rockin’ for a Cure,” now in its twelfth year. This gathering not only brings together Madison Scouts alumni, corps fans and other supporters for a great time of music and camaraderie…the event is also a benefit for ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, more commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease).

In 1999, former corps member and Scouts’ instructor Steve Weekes was stricken with ALS. He founded the first of the corps’ benefits on behalf of ALS research. Sadly, Steve passed away in 2005. However, his mission continues on, stronger than ever.

This year’s event will be held Saturday, April 21st at 6:30 p.m. at the Holiday Inn West in Madison. Tickets are $20 and there will be a cash bar, appetizers, and a giant silent auction with plenty of drum corps items donated by many corps. Prizes also include a mountain bike and tickets for Drums on Parade and the 2012 DCI Championship.

Entertainment includes The Soul Brothers – a band of Scouts alumni that performs a variety of high velocity R&B hits. Also performing is the horn line of the Kilties from Racine, WI.

For more information, call 414-704-0209 or visit the event website at www.rockinforacure.org or visit them on FACEBOOK.

Location: Holiday Inn Madison West, 1109 Fourier Drive, Madison, WI 53717

For discounted hotel reservations, please call 1-800-315-2621.

• DCI Minnesota – July 14
• DCI Southwest Championship in San Antonio – July 21
• DCI Southeast Championshipl in Atlanta – July 28
• DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown – August 4
• DCI World Championships in Indianapolis – August 9-11

By purchasing your tickets through the Scouts, you are:

• getting access to premium seating locations,
• paying the face ticket price but without the pesky surcharges,
• supporting the Scouts who earn a commission on each ticket sold,
• gaining access to the SCOUTS VIP benefits!

When you purchase your tickets through the Scouts, you are automatically enrolled as a SCOUTS VIP which gets you the following premiums:

1. VIP Schedule Lanyard
2. 10% Discount in the Merchandise Booth
3. Scouts Badge Keychain
4. Scouts Bumper Sticker
5. 2012 Show Audio Download
6. 2012 Show Video Download
7. Complimentary Access to pre-show tailgates at Drums on Parade, The Whitewater Classic and Finals Week!

<ORDER NOW>

Seating in the SCOUTS VIP ticket block are limited, so orders yours as soon as possible!

JUNE
22 – Madison, WI
23 – Woodbury, MN
24 – Sioux Falls, SD
26 – Mankato, MN
28 – Oswego, IL
29 – Muncie, IN

JULY
1 – Davenport, IA
3 – Cedarburg, WI
4 – Cedarburg Parade
6 – Whitewater, WI
7 – Kalamazoo, MI
9 – Centerville, OH
11 – Metamora, IL
12 – Salem, WI
13 – Lisle, IL
14 – Minneapolis, MN
16 – Olathe, KS
17 – Wichita, KS
19 – Round Rock, TX
21 – San Antonio, TX
22 – DCI Individual & Ensemble Competition – San Antonio, TX
24 – Dallas, TX
28 – Atlanta, GA
30 – Charleston, WV
31 – Dublin, OH

AUGUST
1 – Erie, PA
2 – Rome, NY
4 – Allentown, PA
5 – Pittsburgh, PA
9 – Indianapolis, IN – DCI World Championship Prelims
10 – Indianapolis, IN – DCI World Championship Semifinals
11 – Indianapolis, IN – DCI World Championship Finals

The Madison Scouts will also be hosting two Drum Corps International events on June 22nd and July 6th.

“We are very pleased to have the corps positioned in the Midwest for the better part of the tour,” stated Executive Director Chris Komnick. “This year we wanted to provide our Midwest fans numerous opportunities to see the Scouts this summer.”

“In addition, we are very pleased with the dates and the lineup for the 60th Annual Drums on Parade and for The Whitewater Classic. Drum corps fans from the Madison area will have an opportunity to have two great world-class shows in their back yard.” continued Komnick.

The 60th Annual Drums on Parade (Drum Corps’ Oldest Show) will be the first tour stop for the Scouts and will be held on Friday, June 22nd. Headlined by the Madison Scouts, the show will also include the Blue Stars (La Crosse, WI), Bluecoats (Canton, OH), Colt Cadets (Dubuque, IA), Glassmen (Toledo, OH), Pioneer (Milwaukee, WI), Racine Scouts (Racine, WI), Spirit of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA), and the Troopers (Casper, WY).

On Friday, July 6th, the Scouts will celebrate the 40th Anniversary of Drum Corps International by hosting The Whitewater Classic, site of the inaugural DCI World Championships in 1972. Joining the Scouts will be the Blue Stars (La Crosse, WI), Bluecoats (Canton, OH), The Cavaliers (Rosemont, IL), Colt Cadets (Dubuque, IA), Glassmen (Toledo, OH), Pioneer (Milwaukee, WI), and Spirit of Atlanta (Atlanta, GA).

Ticket information will be available soon.

Brian Gill - Brian is the founder and CEO of Gillware Inc., a data recovery technology firm based in Madison, Wisconsin. Brian holds a B.S. degree in computer science from the University of Wisconsin, Madison and is a highly regarded expert in firmware architecture. Founded in 2004, Gillware employs 25 people and has been a noted tech start-up success in the Madison business community. Brian is also co-author of the WebLogic Server Bible, published by John Wiley & Sons.

Drew Hadley – Drew has spent his career as a chemical engineer for Procter & Gamble with significant leadership roles in their environmental, health & safety compliance and development. Drew currently spends time working on the environmental systems for international acquisitions based in China, Korea, Mexico and Western Europe. He has served on several boards including the Pennsylvania Environmental Council and the Chesapeake Bay Citizen’s Advisory Committee. Based in Cincinnati, Drew is a jazz percussionist, former Scoutmaster and provides percussion instruction for the Loveland High School marching band.

Tim Landess – Tim, a color guard alumnus of the Scouts, is the founder and CEO of Advantage Billing & Consultants, Inc. based in Indianapolis, Indiana.  This cost reporting/billing company, geared towards long-term care facilities, currently employs 9 while servicing national clients. Tim is also a sought after lecturer and trainer in this field and frequently works with facilities and their staff members across the United States. Tim continues to be involved in the performance arts activity and currently judges band and color guard competitions. He is an active adjudicator for both Bands of America and Winter Guard International.

In addition, the MDBCA formally elected current board members Dave Heilman, Bryan Hughes and Ton Stam to 3-year terms as well as reappointing Steve Vickers and Tom Moffat for 1-year terms.

AUDITION INFORMATION >

Our recruiting posters are now available to download, print, hand out and post. Whether it’s putting a copy on your band room wall or posting on your Facebook page, we appreciate your help!

DOWNLOAD NOW

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Jim Moore – Choreographer
Adam Dalton – Assistant Caption Head
Stephanie Boisjolie – Guard Tech
Alex Cruz – Guard Tech
Kelsey Gleason – Guard Tech
Susan Hanggi – Guard Tech
Ian Lewis- Guard Tech
Missy Trulock – Movement Specialist
Noah Trulock – Movement Specialist

Staff bios can be found at www.MadisonScouts.org

Madison Scouts color guard auditions take place in Indianapolis on December 9-11. Information is available at www.MadisonScouts.org