Help Emma March with the Madison Scouts

Hello!

I am currently studying music education at Oklahoma State University. I am almost done with my sophomore year which is crazy! In the fall I'm part of the Cowboy Marching Band and in the spring I keep up my spirit playing in the pep band at basketball games and wrestling matches. Outside of the marching/spirit activities I play in the OSU Concert Band and the OSU Legacy Horn Choir. On top of all of the rehearsals and performances I am practicing multiple hours a day on my French horn and now I will be practicing even more since I have recently accepted a contract with the Madison Scouts!

Back in 2023, my junior year of high school, I decided to audition for the Madison Scouts. It was a major step out of my comfort zone and I was unsure if I would get in due to my age and experience. I practiced more than I ever had before and surprised myself by landing a spot in the corps at my first camp. That summer was an experience that forever changed me. I learned so much about performing, marching, and life skills that I have been able to continue to use it in my own practice, when I am teaching, or even in life. The biggest thing I took from that summer was learning that nothing that is possible is hard. After 72 days of 12 hours of rehearsal daily I had found my limits and exceeded them.

Since I marched, the Madison Scouts have made it into the top 12 and have gained a lot of recognition for their shows. Witnessing all of it from the outside has made me realize that it is time for me to go back. I will be able to learn so much more for teaching, get better at my instrument, get in shape, stay active and travel rather than sit at home during the summer.

I have missed that summer immensely but I have been unable to go back due to monetary reasons. The cost of tuition is high, but pays for meals, travel, uniforms, instruments, world-class staff, and more. I will apply for many scholarships but I will still need lots of help from fundraising. Last time fundraising paid for a majority of my tuition and I wouldn't have been able to march without it.

- Emma