At a time when most schools are cutting back or eliminating school-sponsored music programs, a void is developing, especially amongst those children who may stand to gain the most through music education and performance opportunities. The Madison Scouts and Joey Banks, former member of the Madison Scouts, are looking to fill that void through a music mentoring opportunity with local children from the Boys & Girls Club of Dane County. At the recent February camp, Joey brought his percussion group, the Black Star Line, to participate in a Madison Scouts rehearsal at Madison Country Day School in Waunakee.Joey has been conducting weekly drumming sessions with young boys and girls from the local Boys & Girls Club since 2007. At this camp, participants from his program got the chance to experience firsthand drumming at the next level through watching and playing with the Madison Scouts.

"Music education is disappearing from our schools," says Jeff Spanos, development director for the corps. "Joey has been developing a program here in the Madison area that is creating a new opportunity for kids to connect and learn through music. I am excited to involve the Madison Scouts and provide these kids an opportunity to see where music can take them. Today they are drumming in Madison's neighborhoods; in a few years they can be touring the country and performing for thousands. Music can provide that opportunity to grow beyond their current boundaries."

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