2008 Madison Scouts Brass Staff Announced
The Madison Scouts announce that the following individuals have been named as the brass staff for the 2008 season:
· Caption Supervisor – Nick Williams
· Caption Head – Clay Wachholz
· Associate Caption Head – Ed Perry
· Assistant Caption Head – Matt Parker
· Trumpet Teacher – Dan Ritacco, Jon Schipper
· Mellophone Teacher – Jason Robb, Matt Gregg
· Baritone/Euphonium Teacher – Jason Hausback
· Tuba Teacher – TJ Frederick
“Our focus for the 2008 season is to deliver a top-rate educational experience for our members,” says Corps Director Dann Petersen. “Led by Nick Williams and Clay Wachholz, this brass staff represents the diversity of experiences we seek from our instructional team.”
Ed Perry returns for his second season with the Scouts and is currently a band director at Westfield High School in Houston, TX. An alumnus of the Scouts, Blue Devils and The Cadets, Perry holds a music education degree from the University of Miami. New to the team is Matt Parker, who joins the Scouts having recently served on the brass staff of the Blue Stars. Matt has teaching experiences with the Troopers, Boston Crusaders, Crossmen and Eklipse.
Dan Ritacco, former brass staff of the Blue Stars, marched with the Madison Scouts from 1985-1990. Dan has over 13 years experience teaching brass for drum corps and is currently teaching music at Irondale H.S. of New Brighton, MN. Joining Dan with the trumpets is Jon Schipper, an alumnus of the Scouts and professional performing musician. Jon is well-known for his high-flying solo work, a talent he first developed in the Madison Scouts. Jon holds a degree in music education from the University of Wisconsin and continues to teach in the Madison area.
Jason Robb will instruct the mellophones. He marched with the Scouts from 2002 – 2004 and is currently pursuing a music education degree from Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, TX. Assisting Jason will be Matt Gregg, longtime member of the Madison Scout family. Since 1982, Gregg has been involved with the Scouts as a member, soloist, instructor and program coordinator. During his tenure as a member, he won an unprecedented six consecutive individual titles on French horn. Matt is currently a music professor at the University of Wisconsin- Platteville.
Jason Hausback is a doctoral student in bass trombone performance at the University of North Texas where he has performed with some of the nation’s most prestigious and award-winning groups, including the UNT Wind Symphony and the 1 O’Clock Lab Band. He earned a bachelors degree in music performance from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a masters in music performance from the University of North Texas. TJ Frederick, returning staff member, is a six-year veteran of drum corps having marched with Tarheel Sun, two years with the Crossmen, and three years with the Blue Devils. He won the DCI individual title on tuba in 2005 and 2006.
“I am very pleased at the brass staff we have assembled for the 2008 season,” says Jeff Spanos, executive director for the Scouts. “It is our intention to return the Madison Scouts horn line to a place of prominence in the activity and I am confident that this team will provide an exceptional educational experience to our members throughout that process.”
ABOUT THE MADISON SCOUTS
For 70 years the Madison Scouts has developed and shaped young men’s lives through musical enrichment and performance arts. A commitment to excellence serves as the foundation for the ultimate goal of teaching our members important life skills learned through the creative process that is modern day drum & bugle corps. To learn more about the Madison Scouts Drum & Bugle Corps call 608-237-8775, e-mail Corps Director Dann Petersen at director [at] madisonscouts [dot] org or visit www.madisonscouts.org.
