Madison Scouts Announce 2007 Design Team
The Madison Scouts are excited to announce their 2007 design team. According to Executive Director Jeff Spanos, “The goal when we started the process of evaluating the 130-plus people who expressed interest in being involved was to find the best blend of proven Madison Scouts talent and bright new influences who will challenge us to improve. I am confident we have achieved our goal.”
The 2007 design team is led by Program Coordinator Matt Gregg, a college music professor at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, where his primary responsibilities are conducting the Symphony Band and Wind Ensemble, as well as the marching band. He also teaches music theory and conducting. Gregg has numerous compositions to his credit, including works for both marching and concert groups, and has played professionally for many years. Gregg has been involved with the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps since 1982. Over the course of the past two and one-half decades he has been a member and soloist with the Madison Jr. Scouts and Madison Scouts, as well as a member of the teaching, design and administrative teams. During his tenure as a member, he won an unprecedented six consecutive individual titles on French Horn. He has also served the Capital Sound as brass instructor, designer and corps director, for which he was honored as the DCI Division II Director of the Year. “Matt is a consummate professional and leader. He understands the history of the Madison Scouts and the need to build upon our strengths and create a program that connects with the members, audience and judging community on all levels,” remarked Spanos.
Brass Arranger John Georgeson’s history with the Madison Scouts dates back to 1974. Since then, Georgeson has written scores of programs for drum corps, high school and college marching bands in North America and Europe. As a freelance composer and multi-media expert, Georgeson has countless works to his credit for symphony orchestra, jazz bands, wind ensemble, band, choir, vocal jazz ensembles and theatre groups. Perhaps best-known in the drum corps idiom for his 1988 arrangements for the Madison Scouts, Georgeson brings an incredible passion for music, design and the Madison Scouts to the design team. According to Corps Director Mark Dunton, “We are fortunate that someone of John’s caliber has such a strong passion to be involved. He’s an amazing musician and composer, and I have the utmost confidence in his ability to deliver an incredible and cohesive brass book.”
Front Line Arranger Taras Nahirniak is a freelance arranger and composer with numerous published works to his credit, including a full-scale musical, “Everyman.” He writes and composes for many drum corps and marching bands in the United States, Europe and Japan. Taras is a sought after composer who won the 2002 Wisconsin Choral Directors Association Composers Award and was recently commissioned to compose a five movement fully-orchestrated piece – “Night Dances” — for the Madison Ballet, which was performed by the Madison Symphony Orchestra at the opening of the Overture Center. Nahirniak has been affiliated with the Madison Scouts for over two decades. “Taras is so much more than a front line arranger. His presence on the design team is important because he can craft a book that makes sense musically with the brass arrangements and battery book. He definitely has an orchestral approach to his writing,” commented Spanos.
Guard and Creative Consultant Chad Duggan has a long history with the Madison Scouts as a member, staff member and guard designer. Duggan’s creativity and ability to conceptualize visual impact and nuance make him a valuable asset to the team. Among other things, Duggan is a uniform designer for DeMoulin Uniforms. “I’m excited to be working with the corps again and even more excited about the people we are speaking to about designing for and teaching the guard this summer,” stated Duggan.
“Chad’s involvement with the Madison guard during the mid-‘90s was critical to the corps’ success. Having marched with and then instructed and designed for the corps, he has an intimate awareness of what it takes to build a guard for an all-male corps. His insight will prove to be invaluable,” said Dunton.
Percussion Arranger Roger Carter has been a staple on the West Coast percussion scene for the past 15 years. His marching experience began in 1989 when he played snare for the Anaheim Kingsmen and, later that same year, the Velvet Knights. His marching experience continued with the Blue Devils, where he was section leader in 1994 and 1995, and instructor (’96-’01). During his time with the organization, the corps won four DCI World Championships and three High Percussion awards. Throughout his time with the Blue Devils, he was influential in developing the sound and look of the corps’ drumline. Carter has previously worked with Riverside Community College (’94-’98) as their primary drum instructor, James Logan HS (’97-’02, ‘06), and the Sacramento Freelancers indoor percussion ensemble. He is a proud endorser of Vic Firth drumsticks and is actively performing, teaching and writing for numerous groups throughout the country. He has been featured as a drumset artist for several acts in the U.S. as well as in Europe and Japan. “I am absolutely thrilled that Roger Carter is part of the Madison Scouts. His progressive writing and creative style will have a profound impact on our overall design,” remarked Spanos.
Visual Designer Allen Joanis is the founder of JW3.com, a company specializing in commercial music, graphic design, show design and music publications. He is the assistant director, program coordinator, music composer and co-visual designer for WGI Independent World Class Finalist Surround Sound Percussion, as well as drill designer for the Marcus HS Drumline from Flower Mound, TX, and the University of TX-Arlington Marching Band and PASIC drumline. Joanis marched with the University of North Texas, Crossmen and The Cadets. Joanis is the former Assistant Director of Bands for BOA Grand National Runner-up Ronald Reagan HS and has worked with the Bluecoats and Carolina Crown. “Allen Joanis is a real find for the Madison Scouts. His cinematic approach to drill writing is augmented by his ability to score charts for winds and percussion. His work is creative and cutting-edge, and will definitely give the Scouts a fresh look. I’m incredibly excited for our guys to work with him!” said Dunton.
Creative Consultant Christos Theo has been an arranger, clinician, adjudicator, and consultant for over 25 years. In addition to his responsibilities as a Professor in the Department of Art & Design at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, Theo remains active within the drum corps and marching band communities. Over the past two-plus decades, he has been the Principal Percussion Arranger for the Madison Scouts, and Percussion and Program Consultant with The Cavaliers. Theo has worked with many high school and college marching bands, drum corps and percussion ensembles throughout the United States, Canada and The Netherlands. “There aren’t a lot of people like Chris Theo,” stated Spanos. “He’s creatively gifted and truly understands the big picture. We’re excited to have him on board.”
“This design team is a well-blended mix of experiences, styles, different eras of the Madison Scouts and drum corps idiom,” said Spanos. “The balance, depth of experience and fusion of ideas is going to help us create a special program.”
The Madison Scouts kick-off their season with auditions in Texas at the University of Texas-Arlington on November 19, and in Wisconsin November 25-26 at Waunakee HS. For more information, please visit www.madisonscouts.org.
