The 426 members of the Madison Scouts – Corps of Brothers met in person for the first time Tuesday afternoon at Rockland Community College, approximately 35 miles north of Manhattan, where the corps will step off before millions for the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.Check-in began at noon, where alumni and current members—many wearing their dark green corps jackets—hugged and cracked jokes. There had been one rehearsal in June at the Drums on Parade show in Middleton, Wisc., but most would be playing and spinning with the group for the very first time.“Preparation was kinda different because we had to get ourselves in shape on our own, and learn the work on our own,” Joseph Fullwood (’05-’09), color guard member said. “You really have to be focused because we didn’t have much time. It was so much work, but so worth it.”“I was worried,” David Carr (’05, ’09), a baritone player from Houston, Texas admitted. “I’m pretty impressed with how quickly we were able to put all this together.”Members aged 15-75 ate, slept and rehearsed in the community college field house. The corps members marched around a painted track in place of practicing outdoors, which quickly disappeared under several inches of steady snowfall Wednesday.Many alumni recalled the physical preparations they made to perform this week.New Jersey local Ryan Stanbury (’10) spent the last month doing cardio and weight training to get back into shape, and Tim Goodson (’82-’83), a color guard performer from Gainesville, Fla., said he began training seriously and eating well months ago.“I lost 25 pounds. My health is better, my outlook on life is better, and this was an inspiration,” Goodson said.Goodson has had health problems in the past, and underwent heart valve replacement surgery twice, first in 1996, and again in 2007 after the 2006 Alumni Reunion Project.“After that, I didn’t think I’d ever do anything again,” said Goodson.Tuesday’s 6-11 p.m. rehearsal ended with a late night pizza dinner. The following morning, members cleaned drill and music for over seven hours. After a meeting with former executive director Scott Stewart regarding the logistics of transportation to New York City Thursday morning, Eric Perry, current corps drum major, lead the group in singing the corps song, “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”“Singing the corps song together was extremely powerful. Once again, it feels like family,” said Fullwood.Many expressed the profound sense of brotherhood the event has cultivated.Trumpet player Noah Dyer (’13-’14), of Lake Orion, Mich., said, “It’s been very cool to meet so many guys from across the years. It’s been a lot of fun.”“It’s super exciting and motivating. I knew when they told us… that I wanted to do it. I thought, these guys are out busting their ass, I gotta get on this!,” said Stanbury. “This is a surreal experience. I only got to march one year. 2013 would have been my age out, and doing this, I finally feel like there’s a little bit of closure.”Board member Chuck Henson (’81-’84) believes experiences like the Macy’s Parade have unique potential to continue to strengthen the organization.“I did the alumni project in 2006. That experience was incredible, to re-solidify alumni support. It was the beginning of getting alumni reconnected,” Henson said.As evidence, he pointed to the creation of The Madison Scouts Color Guard Fellowship and the number of participants in this parade being double that of the 2006 Alumni Reunion Project.Current corps member Jordan Moore (’14) imagined himself in alum shoes.“They had the time of their lives marching, and you think, ‘I’m never gonna do this again,’ but they get to come back—not with just one season’s corps, but the entire corps. It’s a chance to relive the past,” Moore said. “A lot of what the old guys are doing here, they would never do in public,” he laughed. “It’s a chance for them to go back and be kids again with their brothers.”Wednesday evening concluded with a meal of pasta, meatball subs, salad and cake, donated by alumni Bobby Latta’s (’11-’12) parents, Donna and Bill Latta. Lights out was at 6:15 p.m. to prepare for the 1 a.m. parade wake up call.Despite their short time together, members feel prepared to perform.“There’s nothing like this ensemble,” baritone Chris Holland ('00-'01) said. “This is a player’s ensemble. They’re always ready, with their music, with their drill, ready to tear the paint off the wall.”