1975…. PBS broadcasts, for the first time, the Performance Society of Drum Corps International; and wouldn’t you know that the first Champion identified by a television audience is the Madison Scouts! As interesting as that point is, since that 1975 debut, there have only been 7 drum corps that have ever earned that coveted title of Champion for a Drum Corps International Finals: Blue Devils, Holy Name Cadets, The Cavaliers, Santa Clara Vanguard, Phantom Regiment, Star of Indiana, & the Madison Scouts.
With the reunion of family, and a collection of some of the activities MOST ACCOMPLISHED, INNOVATIVE, and SOUGHT AFTER Designers & Educators, the 2010 Madison Scouts, will for sure be pushing both the competitive and creative envelopes the way they did when announcing themselves some 35 years ago in Philadelphia.
Being THE perennial powerhouse of brisk, up-beat jazz or intense Latin fares, I believe it is fair to say that this summer’s audiences will be DAZZLED by the BEST of what we all expect and GLUED to what we couldn’t predict from this all male corps; a production that is entertaining, innovative, technically finessed, and athletically achieved with MASTERY & POWER! It has always been stated that from its ashes the phoenix will rise stronger and wiser. This analogy couldn’t be more truthfully told than by the history of the Madison Scouts 70 year lineage.
While it has often appeared as if this corps has taken back seat to their competitors, the truth of the matter is that this organization has been at the very epicenter of its’ competitors never ending push forward.
Being anchored in philosophical and educational symbiosis, Madison is Royal Blood that WILL NEVER and CAN NEVER die! This is an organization that has once again produced some of our MOST REVERED Pioneers: Dan Acheson, Scott Chandler, Charlie Gumbert and Mr. Jim Mason to name a few. I am proud to say that this is one Drum Corps Fan who can’t wait to see what the corps has in store, and I’d like to end by saying….
“This is the summer of the Madison Scouts! This is the summer that audiences all across the U.S. and around the world are not only reminded, but also inspired, by the true vision of our activities founders. And it is because of our love, and anticipation of something memorable, that the Madison Scouts will NEVER walk alone!”
