GOTTA MOVE WITH THE 80'S 

The 1980's began with the Madison Scouts bounced back from the disappointment of the prior season by charging into the 1980 season. With a powerful show that had the crowd screaming for more, the corps toured throughout Canada, the Midwest and East, and the Southern U.S. as well as appearing more frequently in their hometown. Madison captured the DCI Northern Regional title, American International Open title, and VFW National title and placed sixth in Birmingham in a hotly contested DCI Championship which saw only a 3.55 point spread between the first and sixth place corps. The Corps repertoire included "They're Playing Our Song", "Malagueña", "New Country", and "Ice Castles Theme." This was also the year that the development of a completely alumni staff became a reality. Bill Howard stepped down as executive director and was replaced by Scott Stewart. The Junior Scouts experienced a rebuilding year, while Greg Jarosz captured the DCI Individual Soprano Trophy.

The 1981 season was a combination of the previous year as the corps took its powerful, crowd-pleasing show throughout the Midwest, Southwest, Canada, and the East Coast. Madison dominated competitively for most of the season, collecting 24 first places, six seconds, and three thirds, including the DCI Midwestern Championship and the Drum Corps Midwest Title. One of the most famous elements of the show this season was the rotating fleur-de-lis used to open the show. This year, due to issues within DCI and Montreal, the televised coverage was used at DCI Midwest located in Whitewater to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of DCI. Everyone that watched the coverage, again saw the Scouts beat every other top corps that season! Two weeks later, in Montreal, P.Q., Canada, Madison placed third at Olympic stadium. Music for the season included "Numero Uno", "Malagueña", "Down Wind", and "Ice Castles Theme" (Through Eyes of Love). the Junior Corps continued their rebuilding process and made the trip to Montreal, where they competed in the class A competition. On the non-competitive front, the corps continued to strengthen itself financially by establishing a booster (fan) club and making the Madison Scouts Foundation, which had been established several years earlier, a productive undertaking. The Alumni Association was also revitalized.

Members Moment: 1981 DCI Midwest held in Whitewater, WI. Up to this point in the season, the top 12 corps had not been in one place at one time until this night, and we "ROCKED" in finals! Later, as the placements were being announced...they got to third place and still had not called us. (SCV placed third) Next, the second place announcement would be made, while the rumbling crowd was going insane at the possibility of the next name to be spoken. My head was reeling, believing absolutely that the next words from the announcer were going to be "The Madison Scouts". Finally, all the announcer could get out was the "B" of Blue Devils, and the place ERUPTED! We'd won!! Next thing I knew, Scott Chandler was calling us to attention for the salute, just as a guard member had passed out from the excitement. On his way down, I heard him say "Oh Lord Jesus"! Following proper Scout protocol another guard member crouched down to provide him with necessary medical attention by fanning him with his hat. Submitted by C. Henson

In 1982, the corps placed fifth at the DCI Championships held again in Montreal, Canada. The show, which consisted of Slaughter on 10th Avenue, Strawberry Soup, Down Wind, and Ice Castles presented by possibly Madison's finest brass line to date, a strong percussion section, and featuring an incredibly talented, dancing color guard, was as usual - a favorite among drum corps fans. The guard uniform was slightly altered to enhance the dance image and proved to be a tasteful change. Show music selections were "Slaughter on 10th Ave", "Strawberry Soup", "Down Wind", and "Ice Castles Theme." Scott Pearson captured the DCI Individual Tenor Championship title and the brass ensemble of Paul Rowan, Rich Librizzi, Mike Robinson, Marshall Smith, and Greg Christmas took the DCI Brass Ensemble Championship title. The Junior Corps capped off the season with a second place finish at the CCI Championship after finding themselves in third place most of the year. The corps completed its conversion of bugles to silver-plated, two valve instruments and continued to base its winter rehearsals at East High School, while using LaFollette High School, the Labor Temple and several other sites while not on tour in the summer. Ton Stam, a native of Holland, who moved to Madison to march with the Scouts, aged out and moved back home. After years of effort, the corps finally established a successful bingo game.

ANOTHER NEW LOOK

In 1983, there was a continued development of an almost all-alumni staff and the corps presented its most complex and demanding program ever, consisting of "Colas Breugnon Overture", "Strawberry Soup", and selections from Cats including "Calico" and "Memories." The program took all season to perfect, but paid off at the DCI Championships held in Miami, FL with an incredible performance by the corps. The Madison Scouts color guard was awarded the title for best guard, Shawn Owens won the DCI Individual Soprano Championship and Kevin Snowden won the DCI Individual Mellophone Championship, while Scott Pearson successfully defended his DCI Individual Multi-Tenor Championship. During the grand finale at the finals championship at the Orange Bowl, Madison surprised everyone by taking the field with no equipment and singing You'll Never Walk alone to the crowd during their exit. There has never been a more quiet gathering of so many drum corps fans, then during that moment of vocal song. Membership in the corps reached an all-time high in terms of age, with an average of 20 years old. Only 12 members were under the age of 18 and 34 aged out at the season's end. The size of the corps remained near the 128 person limit as it had since 1974 and the corps continued to receive nearly 400 applications each year from outside the Madison area. A major uniform change was made in 1983, replacing the old uniform with one designed to give more visual impact on the field, consisting of a white Eisenhower-style jacket, green pants, mint green shirt, white Aussie hat, white "Bill Howard-type" shoes and gloves, and red citation cords, and gauntlets, tie and had band. New percussion equipment and a semi-trailer equipment van were purchased. The tree lot project was discontinued after many years of operation and the corps continued its trend of the last few years by operating on a sound financial bases. The Junior Corps had a rewarding season under the ongoing leadership of Mike Stormer, placing second at the championship and successfully preparing their members for the Madison Scouts.

In 1984, the season was one of continued growth. The corps set new standards in the activity with its positive approach and performance level being the top priorities of the program. The show was a fast-moving combination of artistry and entertainment and featured three productions: Ballet in Brass, Waltz of the Mushroom Hunters, and selections from Cats. As usual, Madison was a crowd favorite where ever they appeared. On the competitive side, the corps held its position in the magic "top five" in a year that produced five of the greatest drum corps of all time. Only 3.4 point separated these 5 groups at the DCI World Championships in Atlanta, GA. The corps musical selection this season were "Ballet in Brass", "Waltz of the Mushroom Hunters", "Calico, and "Memories." Shaun Owens (Soprano) and Kevin Snowden (Mellophone) successfully defended their individual championship titles from a year ago, and Kent Eversmeyer took home the French horn Individual title. The Junior Corps maintained its status and placed second at the CCI Championships even though 16 of their top players from last season moved up to the senior corps. A sad moment in the year occurred on May 19th when 5-year Scout alumnus named Mark "Moose" Mussolf died in an automobile accident, while returning to Madison after a graduation celebration for a Scout staff member. Moose was buried in his scout 83' uniform, and many brothers came to pay their respects. Three other scouts were spared from injury, which was a blessing in the very dark moment of history for the corps. Financially, the Madison Scouts became a phenomenon in the drum corps world by eliminating all of their debt and operating with a positive cash flow. Another exciting event of 1984 was the announcement that, after years of effort, it was finally a reality that the DCI World Championships would be held at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, WI for the 1985 and 1986 seasons.

DCI COMES TO TOWN

The season of 1985 will be remembered as a banner year in the history of the Madison Scouts. Not only was the corps spectacular in performance and successful in competition (regaining the DCI Midwest and DCM Championship titles and scoring only 0.6 points our of first at the DCI World Championship Semi-Finals), but it also received much long-deserved publicity and attention in the city of Madison. Much of this was due to the DCI World Championships being held in Madison at Camp Randall Stadium, an event which proved to be the most successful in the history of DCI, with much credit going to the local Madison Scouts committee. Over 100,000 people attended the six-day event, including preliminary competition, the DCI parade, and the championship finals, which drew almost 40,000 spectators. The corps also enhanced its reputation by appearing locally with the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra and at the Badger State Games, as well as continuing to appear at the annual spring open house, dress rehearsal and several concerts throughout the city. Individual members of the Scouts were also involved with other locally prominent arts groups such as the Kanopy Dance Company and the Madison Symphony Orchestra. The 1985 show, based on "Four Score and Seven", "Ballet in Brass", and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, continued the Madison approach of combining entertainment with artistry. This season, the corps was rewarded by have the corps named as the most popular nationwide by fans in a poll conducted by DCI. In DCI solo and ensemble competition, both the percussion and brass ensembles took first place. The percussionists: Taras Nahirniak, Jim Latimer, Steve Matson, Alan Hills, Mike Knudson, and Royal Moore set a DCI scoring record with a perfect score of 100. Craig Mason, Jae Wells, Curt Huston, Clay Wacholz, Chad Guess, and Lonnie Fuller made up the championship brass ensemble. The Junior Scouts climaxed another successful season by making finals at both the DCI and DCM Championships in their division. A minor uniform change included the reversing of the uniform scheme (white jackets/green pants to green jackets/white pants) and brightening the accessories took place this season. The corps also took another step forward in its financial security plan and established an equipment reserve for future capital equipment purchases.

In 1986, the corps launched a major capital fund drive for the purchase of three new/used coaches for the corps, as well as the return of the DCI Championships to Madison. The Scouts presented an extremely demanding show featuring Alex's Rag (a take-off on Alexander's Ragtime Band), Harlem Suite by Duke Ellington, and selections from Starlight Express. Fielding it's largest brass section of sixty-six players, the corps reached one of its finest performance levels ever by the end of the summer, even though constant show revisions throughout the season were needed to make the intense timing with in the charts work. In spite of a seventh place finish at the championship, the Madison Scouts were rated number one in another survey of the DCI contest sponsors as to which corps they would like to have appear in their show. The Green Bay Packers played their first game ever (preseason) at Camp Randall Stadium and the Madison Scouts were the featured half-time entertainment. Akihiro & Yasuko Okubo of Yokohama, Japan, moved to Wisconsin for two years to study with the Madison Scouts and became honorary members of the corps. Two English men, Phil Jackson & Philip Knight (The brother's Phil) also toured and studied with the cops during the summer months. In DCI I & E competition, the brass ensemble: Don Pitzer, Clay Wacholz, Dean Smith, Jeff Lindhom again won their ensemble championship title, and the percussion ensemble: Jim Latimer, Alan Hills, Mike Knudson, Royal Moore, Jim Heisinger, & Doug "Harry" Deems also defended their championship ensemble title too. Two brothers, Chris & Dean Smith captured the individual championship titles for French horn & baritone. The Junior Scouts repeated their achievements of a year earlier and placed in the finals of their class at the DCI Championship.

1987 marked the completion of the Madison Scouts capital fund drive which raised over $180,000 for the purchase of replacement coaches for the senior corps. These vehicles gave Madison the distinction of owning some of the newest buses in the entire activity. In addition, a new staff vehicle was acquired to replace the retired "Bat-mobile."  The DCI World Championships retuned to Madison for an unprecedented third year due to the incredible success of the first two years. The corps presented an exciting program consisting of Captain from Castille, An American in Paris, and a jazzed-up version of Start and Strips Forever. In a year which featured possibly the strongest group of DCI finalists ever, the Madison Scouts landed a hard-fought sixth place. By placing in the top 12, the corps became one of only two corps in the activity that has made the finals every year since 1973 (15 years-SCV being the other corps). In individual & ensemble competition, the Madison Scouts continued to place very well as Chris Smith defended his French horn championship title, and Kent Rockow was awarded the Mellophone individual Championship title. The brass ensemble consisting of David Coolidge, Dan Perez, Clay Wacholz, Chris Smith, Bryan Hughes took the championship title for the 3rd consecutive time. The percussion ensemble, with Alan Hills, Jim Latimer, Mike Knudson, Royal Moore, Jim Heisinger, and  Doug "Harry" Deems captured their 3rd consecutive championship title too. In all, a total of 27 members represented their corps at the I & E contests.

The corps produced a 50th Anniversary 90-minute album and cassette which traced the musical development of the Madison Scouts from 1954-1986 and printed a yearbook for the first time since 1975. The corps continued its now usual summer tour schedule of traveling 10,000 miles over 50 days, with 50 contests, exhibitions, concerts, clinics and parades, as well as several free local exhibitions and concerts. In the winter months, appearances included the Governor's inauguration, the Madison Holiday parade and the annual meeting of the Madison Service Clubs Council. In addition, 20 members and eight instructional and support staff represented the Madison Scout organization with the 200-piece Drum Corps Midwest All-Star Corps which performed at the Cotton Bowl parade in Dallas on New Year's Day. Madison's Drum Major, Mark Ramthun, was selected to lead the group.

50 YEARS AND COUNTING

1988 will certainly go down in history as one of the Corps' greatest years. Not only did the Madison Scouts celebrate a very special 50th anniversary, but also pulled off a spectacular 16-day tour of Europe and captured the Drum Corps International World Championship title. The corps presented an entertaining and exciting program based around "Concerto for Guitar and Jazz Orchestra" and "Malagueña." Every aspect was strong, but the visual style and execution that was exhibited set new standards. New uniform, which brightened yet maintained that special Madison image, added to the effectiveness of the production. the 50th Anniversary festivities included an alumni reunion, special promotional items, and the return of Drums On Parade to Madison after a three-year absence while the DCI Championships were in town. Germany, Holland, and England were the countries visited by the Scouts in late June through early July as they conducted clinics, hosted competitions and performed for the marching music activity in Europe. In addition, there was plenty of time for sightseeing and relaxing as well as rehearsal. The second tour, took the corps throughout the Midwestern, southern, and southwestern United States on route to Kansas City, Missouri for the DCI Championships, where the Scouts not only won the finals, but walked away with the semi-finals top score after one of the finest performances in the history of the activity. In DCI I & E competitions, Madison continued to dominate, when Rich Hopkins won the individual Soprano title, Clay Wacholz won best individual baritone title, Mike Knudson won best individual keyboard, again Best Percussion Ensemble won with Mike Knudson, Tony Knowles, Royal Moore, Steve Pearson, Matt Ronan, and Best Brass Ensemble with Dan Ritacco, Rich Hopkins, Steve Harrington, Clay Wacholz, and Bryan Hughes bring it home again. The corps continued to have the highest retention rate of eligible members in DCI and has a two-thirds veteran make-up even though over 25% of the 1987 corps aged out. As a fresh approach to fund-raising, the newly acquired buses were leased to the Star of Indiana Charter Bus Company during the off-season.  The Junior Scouts fielded their smallest contingent in many years but still had a very successful season.

Members Moment: What a great season and perfect year to age out! Our finals performance was sweet. It’s got to be one of the best-designed and performed shows ever.

Chuck’s 1981 Whitewater moment reminds me of the 1988 DCI finals retreat. I will never get tired of listening to Brant Crocker announce the Blue Devils in third place! The crowd roared; I looked at Ron Comfort to my left and asked "Are we going to win DCI?" Much as Chuck said, I was sure that the next word would be "M—" but of course I was hoping and hoping for "S—", and that’s what happened. It was so cool to look up in the stands and see my dad going nuts—I thought back to watching 78 finals ten years earlier with him. SCV’s win was kind of a surprise that year, and so was ours (albeit for different reasons). What a treat to sing the corps song on the field together (a la 83) and perform our awesome show one more time. I couldn’t have asked for a better age-out night. See you all in Feb! (Submitted by M. Giles)

The Madison Scouts produced another spectacular corps in 1989, featuring an outstanding brass line. The corps excited crowds throughout the Midwest, East Coast, and Canada as they presented a program consisting of an upbeat gospel-rock number entitled "Make His Praise Glorious," and a revitalization of the Madison classic, "Slaughter on Tenth Avenue." The DCI Championships originally scheduled for Montreal, had to be moved back to Kansas City, because of stadium conflicts. At the Championships, the corps was, as usual a favorite, even though the corps ended up in a disappointing 7th place. At the DCI I & E competition, high quality and high marks were achieved by virtually all of the 29 Madison member entrants, with Matt Gregg taking the French horn Individual championship, and Mike Knudson repeating as Keyboard individual champion with an amazingly perfect score of 100. Souvenir sales were at an all-time high during the 1989 season. Drums on Parade was held at Camp Randall Stadium for the first time and the opening act was the launching of dozens of hot-air balloons from the turf. The Association sponsored a mini-grand prix race around the capitol square in early  June which should prove to be a major fund-raising as well as public relations event for the corps. The corps appeared at the Badger State Games, premiering the official theme song of the Games, which had been composed by Norman Crosby, director of the Madison Chamber Orchestra. The Madison Scouts also performed at the Madison Day Center's at the First United Methodist Church.

The Madison Scouts family and the drum corps community responded to the needs of Robert French and Fred Bell, two former members of the Madison Scouts, who had been severely injured in tragic accidents. Scott Stewart was unanimously elected to his ninth consecutive term as president of Drum Corps Midwest and continued in his tenth year as a member of the Executive Board of Drum Corps International. As the annual banquet, Mike Stormer was honored for his 13 years of unselfish commitment as he stepped down as director of the Junior Scouts.