Dear fellow alumnus,
We hope this message finds you well. We are reaching out to you with a shared vision of making a positive impact on the Madison Scouts in 2024 and beyond, and we believe your financial support for the C.H. Beebe Scholarship Fund can help turn this vision into reality.

The Madison Scouts Alumni Association (MSAA) is on a mission to raise scholarship funds and establish a new level of tuition support for members of the Madison Scouts. With your generous contribution, we can empower young musicians pursuing their passion to participate in a transformative experience with the Madison Scouts. Every dollar you donate will help fund prospective members and eliminate, or substantially reduce, the financial barrier for some to become a marching member of the Madison Scouts this year.

Here are a few ways you can financially support the C.H. Beebe Scholarship Fund:

The response to our initial survey has been encouraging enough for us to move forward with a second survey. More than 400 alumni sent us their survey expressing a 'yes' or 'maybe' response. Anyone can fill out this second survey, even if you did not fill out the initial survey. The results of this second survey will determine if we, in fact, participate in the Rose Parade in 2026. Regarding everyone’s big question about the cost for each participant, the more participants there are, the lower the price per person will be. That also means that the fewer participants, the more cost per person will be.

First, we would like to thank everyone for taking the time to complete the initial project survey. It helped us determine enough demand to continue moving forward with the plans for this exciting project. We've received over 420 interested surveys from potential performers, staff members, and other volunteers. We still have a few issues to lock down before we can accurately present a cost for each participant. This list does not include the current Scouts members whose added numbers could add up to another 100 participants.

Next, we will send out another more in-depth survey in a week or two. It will ask for more detailed personal info, including contact, corps history, and potential project-specific subsection position information. We understand that everyone has a budget, and we are working daily to create an accurate estimate to ensure your ability to be with us. This will be the last official news communication contained on the MSAA website. After this survey, we will move over to the MadisonCorps.org website, and project-specific communication, including a members-only login area, will be accessed from that URL. Please stay tuned.

Below are those that sent us a "yes" or "maybe" response. This is not a commitment yet, but noticing a few friends expressing interest might help you get a little more excited for the future.

If you are not on this list, you can still complete the following survey in a week or so.

Thank you,
Craig Mason and Scott Pearson

Below, you can review the list of those who sent us their initial interest survey and section interest.

In certain moments, we cannot help but stop and reset our definitions, priorities, and maybe even life direction. Time stands still as our daily routine is shaken when we hear someone dear to us has passed away without warning. This recently happened to many Madison Scouts alumni who knew David Wayne Ramthun (1975-1982 alumnus). Anyone who met David would agree that he was a kind, collected, and witty person who led by example during his amazing eight-year marching career in the Madison Scouts. He preceded those years by marching for three years in the Madison Boy/Junior Scouts. Every one of his eleven years, David played baritone and played lead position for almost all those years. He had a sound unique to his voice as he sang through the horn. Interestingly, his tone was the same as his horn when you heard him sing. He truly was born to play that horn. (There were definitely an extra couple of O's in his smooth sound) During some of those down moments that every season has, David would remain calm and quiet. And then, when he spoke, it was thoughtful, meaningful, and direct to the point in a matter-of-fact voice, often with a hint of humor to ease the group's discomfort. People listened when he spoke. True leaders earn that respect over time.

HELP HIS FAMILY: Sometimes, when it rains, it pours! Long-time Madison Scouts alumnus David Ramthun suddenly passed away last February, leaving behind his wife and son. Of course, this sudden heartache has been a hardship for the entire family over the past few months. Saturday night, May 25, the family home was hit by one of the tornados ravaging the south, located near Claremore, OK. Fortunately, David's widowed wife, Roma, his son, David Robert, and their family pets survived the direct hit, but not their home and vehicles. They will need help with the clean-up and recovery. Read more at Go Fund Me and if you haven't already, please consider donating..

On a personal note, David stood up at our wedding over 30 years ago; he was Godfather to one of our sons, and even recently, David played Taps for my father's military funeral around Memorial Day in 2019. He played that trumpet just as well as he played his baritone, flawless and with feeling while standing near the firing squad in formation with our nation's best. Afterward, a few of the service men shook his hand and complimented him on his playing. I am indebted to my friend for those gifts to my family. The bonds we all develop and cement for life in the Madison Scouts are amazing. We are very lucky people! All of us.