Madison Scouts are Adding Some Talent!

[Jazzycat1]

As a yearly Scouts supporter I sometimes get corps updates in my Email. This is by far the best news from them in years! :)

August 27, 2009 – Madison, WI . . . The Madison Scouts are pleased to announce the appointment of James Mason as the Artistic Director and Operations Consultant for the corps. He will be providing creative production and instructional coordination services to the Scouts starting immediately.

Mr. Mason’s company Mason, Entertainment Group (M.E.G.), creates and produces innovative live spectacles and theatrical productions that entertain diverse audiences around the world. M.E.G.’s productions of BLAST! (winner of the 2001 Tony Award for Best Theatrical Event and 2001 Emmy Award for Best Choreography for a prime time television show), Shockwave, Cyberjam, and M.I.X. (Music-In-Xtreme) have enjoyed remarkable commercial success and widespread critical acclaim on Broadway, on London’s West End, and on domestic and foreign tours, as well as at Disney and Six Flags theme parks.

James Mason is an alumnus of the Madison Scouts and founding director and program coordinator of the Star of Indiana drum & bugle corps. Under Mason’s leadership, Star was a DCI World Class finalist during all 9 years of its existence and won the 1991 DCI World Championship.

“The opportunity to partner with Jim Mason is a historical moment for the Madison Scouts,” said Executive Director Chris Komnick. “Jim’s passion and creativity are reflected in the types of shows that he has produced. Teaming with Jim and M.E.G. provides us an incredible opportunity to recapture the Madison Scouts brand while simultaneously addressing our competitive direction.”

Regarding his return to the Scouts, Mason said, “I think it is time to give back to an organization that gave me a wonderful foundation for my career and personal life. I look forward to helping the Scouts reconnect with their past as they take a leap into the future.”

Another key component to the corps’ infrastructure is the addition of Donnie VanDoren as staff coordinator. VanDoren is widely regarded as one of the leading teachers and evaluators of talent in drum corps.

“Donnie’s recent work with Carolina Crown and Blue Stars has undoubtedly changed the course of those organizations,” said Komnick. “This is the kind of impact we need at the Scouts and I am confident he will bring a new level of instructional excellence to our organization.”

The Scouts will be announcing the 2010 design team shortly. Open auditions for membership in the 2010 corps will be in November. Audition slots can be reserved today at www.MadisonGear.com

[Mr. Hadouken]

Good!!!! hopefully they can get back in the top 12! I hate knowing they aren't there.

[Jazzycat1]

No kidding! It's really good news. Interesting that I didn't know Mason was a Madison Scout. I'm such a Scouts fanatic! :D

[The Dreaming Tree]

I love the scouts. One of my favorites. They might not bring the most notes, but their pride and tradition is unmatched. I was taught by one in 06. Great, great guy. Bald, short, and tough: almost the ideal Scout in my mind. ;)

It'll be good to see them performing at finals again.

[Jazzycat1]

:D Chris Komnick, Executive Director, and James Mason, Artistic Director of the Madison Scouts are pleased to announce Jeff Lee as Music Designer and Front Ensemble Caption Supervisor. Jeff Lee is the Music Director as well as a Composer/Arranger, and MIDI programmer for the Mason Entertainment Group (M.E.G.). Jeff’s first involvement with M.E.G. began with the 1999 launch of BLAST! as a percussion and electronics arranger/composer. Following BLAST!’s London premier, Jeff was hired to compose new music for the show as well as become more involved in the overall percussion design. In 2003 Jeff moved from the San Francisco area to work full time as the Music Director for M.E.G. and in addition to BLAST!, Jeff has been involved with many other M.E.G. productions including Shockwave, CyberJam and M.I.X.
Originally from Albuquerque, NM, Jeff completed his Master of Arts degree (with distinction) in percussion performance from the studio of Dr. Steven Schick (CSU, Fresno). His musical career has evolved from that of performer to band director to freelance arranger, composer, educator, and clinician. Jeff is proud of his 10 years of work as a percussion and brass arranger/ composer for the Concord Blue Devils and his contributions to numerous first place DCI full ensemble, I&E and high percussion awards. Jeff has been a composer and arranger for a number of WGI color guards and percussion ensembles and worked with groups such as The Woodlands, James Logan, Clovis West, Beyer and Etiwanda high schools, Riverside Community College, the Renaissance Vanguard, Yamato, and the Yokohama Scouts drum and bugle corps of Japan. :D

This guy is a major talent as well! He and I were in the same high school line together and he was great way back then!

[The Dreaming Tree]

Don't you love watching the people you marched with and where they go? It's amazing to know that you can say "I marched with so-and-so WAAAY back when..."

I still can't believe some of the people I've marched with.

[Jazzycat1]

Don't you love watching the people you marched with and where they go? It's amazing to know that you can say "I marched with so-and-so WAAAY back when..."

I still can't believe some of the people I've marched with.

Well Jeff Lee was talented beyond his years even in middle school. I first met him when our high school band director brought him up from the middle school to play jazz piano in our stage band. He played like a 50 yr old black man from New Orleans! No racism intended... When he joined the marching band he carried a musser xylophone that weighed more than he did I think! Together we wrote all the drum and mallet parts for our drum line and won every percussion award in New Mexico for 3 years. We once did a clinic with Dennis DeLucia and he was taken by Jeff's xylo skills. Of course Jeff went on to get his masters in music and taught the pit for the Blue Devils for a decade. I just went into the military and became an IT geek! Glad my old friend is part of the Scout's dream team! :D

[Jazzycat1]

Scouts Welcome Thom Hannum, James Ancona and Nick Angelis‏
From: Madison Scouts (ckomnick@madisonscouts.org)

:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D:D


Chris Komnick, Executive Director, and James Mason, Artistic Director of the Madison Scouts are pleased to announce Thom Hannum as the Percussion Arranger and Consultant, James Ancona as the Percussion Caption Supervisor and Nick Angelis as the Percussion Caption Head.

Thom Hannum is recognized worldwide as a leader in marching percussion and regarded as one of the nation’s foremost percussion clinicians. A Drum Corps International Hall of Famer, Hannum is best known for his work with the DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and Star of Indiana. Currently the Associate Director of Bands at the University of Massachusetts, Thom is also the percussion arranger for BLAST!.

Receiving his bachelor’s degree in music from West Chester University and a master’s from the University of Massachusetts, Thom’s talent and dedication have earned him a great deal of respect in the field of music education.

James Ancona has over 20 years of experience as an arranger and instructor for world class drum and bugle corps including The Cavaliers, Star of Indiana, Santa Clara Vanguard, The Glassmen, The Crossmen and Carolina Crown. Most recently he was the Percussion Caption Head for the 2006 DCI World Champion The Cavaliers. His honors in the activity include having been a member of the 1990 DCI World Champion Cadets of Bergen County and having been on the instructional staff of Star of Indiana’s (1993) and Santa Clara Vanguard’s (2004) World Champion percussion sections. Jame’s Vanguard Percussion Ensembles and Mixed Ensembles have won DCI’s I&E Championships and several of his percussion arrangements where used in Star of Indiana’s “Brass Theater” and in the production of BLAST!

James is currently the Assistant Professor of Music at the University of Delaware and the Assistant Director of the Blue Hen Marching Band, Director of the Basketball Pep Band and Co-Director of the Symphonic Band. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and his Master’s Degree in Performance from Indiana University where he was awarded the prestigious Performer’s Certificate.

Nick Angelis has been involved in the drum corps activity since 1979. Throughout 15 seasons he marched with The Satellites from 1980-87, The Spartans from 1988-89, The Boston Crusaders from 1990-91, The Santa Clara Vanguard in 1992, The Star of Indiana in 1993, Brass Theater in 1994, and aged out of The Blue Knights in 1995. As a performer he was crowned the 1992 DCI I&E Snare Drum World Champion, the 1993 DCM I&E Champion and was a part of the 1993 Star of Indiana World Champion percussion section. Nick was also the original featured percussionist for the Tony and Emmy award-winning show BLAST! from 1999-2003.

Nick attended The University of Massachusetts at Amherst where he received a bachelor’s degree in Music Education. He is currently the Assistant Band Director for The University of Cincinnati Bearcat Bands.

[devildrums555]

Wow! Scouts are loading up on big names and big talent!

[The Dreaming Tree]

That's gonna be amazing! Go Scouts drums!