Madison Scouts Announce 2010 Program
The Madison Scouts are pleased to announce their 2010 show production featuring George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue and Richard Rodgers’ Slaughter on Tenth Avenue.
“In selecting these works I wanted music that will enable us to re-establish the Madison Scout brand this first year. We will be building upon that identifiable Madison wall of sound from the past while at the same time exploring new and exciting ways of presenting these wonderful pieces,” stated James Mason, artistic director. “While these compositions have a historical significance to the corps and our audience, James Prime arranging them is a dream come true for me. I also believe that it is a great vehicle to showcase the battery and front ensemble writing of Thom Hannum and Jim Ancona.”
“The combination of rich melodic passages with intricate and complex rhythmic interludes has certainly excited our entire gifted team of arrangers,” continued Mason. “I’m sure that Jon Vanderkolff and Jim Moore, as designers of the visual program, will produce a unique and inspired interpretation of all the sounds on the field as well. I’m really looking forward to seeing it all come together!”
“Rhapsody and Slaughter are iconic pieces,” said Chris Komnick, executive director. “Our members have always been eager to explore the musical legacy of the Madison Scouts and these charts are going to be both exciting and challenging for them to play. They’re recognizable to audiences and will provide numerous opportunities for the corps to connect with and energize the crowd.”
Rhapsody in Blue was written for solo piano and jazz band and combines elements of classical music with jazz-influenced effects. It was performed by the Madison Scouts in 1975, 1976 and 1985. Slaughter on Tenth Avenue comes from Rodgers and Hart’s On Your Toes which has been performed as a movie, on Broadway and as a ballet. It was performed by the Scouts in 1974, 1975, 1982 and 1989.
