The Madison Scouts are pleased to announce the return of brass caption head Scott Oliver and the addition of Dr. Andrew Putnam to the brass staff. Scott returns for his third year as brass caption head and his 8th year as part of the Scouts brass team. Dr. Putnam, a Scouts alumnus, returns to the corps where he previously taught for many years."The Madison Scouts take great pride in our brass program and are excited that Scott is returning along with most of our staff," stated executive director Chris Komnick. "Andy Putnam is a great addition to the team and we welcome him back. He brings an incredible wealth of talent and experience and demonstrates our commitment to delivering an quality educational experience for our brass members."

Scott Oliver is currently in his third year as the assistant band director at Marian Catholic High School, one of the most successful marching band programs in Bands of America history. Before that he taught at Hinsdale High School and Downers Grove South High School. Scott holds a bachelor's degree in music education from the University of Illinois. He is an alumnus of both the Colts and Carolina Crown.

Dr. Putnam is the director of bands at Eastern Kentucky University. He holds a doctor of musical arts in conducting from the University of Missouri-Kansas City, a master's of music education from the University of Michigan, and a bachelor's of music education from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Since marching with the Madison Scouts, Dr. Putnam has been involved in the drum corps activity as an instructor, designer, and arranger in various capacities with the Boston Crusaders, Spirit of Atlanta, The Glassmen, Blue Stars, Capital Sound, and the Madison Scouts.This year's brass staff has a few new additions including Scott Carr, Jeremy Hackworth, Eric Vanderlaan, and interns and recent age-outs Dan Blevins and Matt Collins. They will be joining returning staff members Alex Brough, Andrew Brough, Sean Conway, Nick Dejarlais, Sean Phelan, and Nathan Pratt.Scott Carr holds a bachelor's of music education from Indiana State University. An alumnus of the Star of Indiana, Scott has been on the staffs of the Phantom Regiment, Blue Stars, and most recently as the tuba instructor of the DCI World Champion Bluecoats.Jeremy Hackworth is the band director at Birdville High School (TX) and was previously the band director at Etiwanda High School (CA). Jeremy holds a bachelor's degree in music education from Bowling Green State University and a master's degree in administration from the University of Phoenix. Jeremy was a member of The Glassmen and Madison Scouts and served on the instructional teams of the Pioneer, Impulse, Boston Crusaders, The Glassmen, and the Spirit of Atlanta.Eric Vaderlaan holds a bachelor's of music in horn performance from the University of Florida and Columbus State University (GA) and a master's of music from Mannes College. Upon graduation Eric was the assistant principal/utility horn for the Winston-Salem Symphony (NC) and performed with the Greensboro, Roanoke, Valdosta, and LaGrange symphony orchestras. An alumnus of the Carolina Crown, Eric is a private horn instructor and recently was an assistant band director in South Carolina.LEARN MORE ABOUT THE 2017 INSTRUCTIONAL TEAM >>