The Bluecoats Fellowship is an honors program for early-career designers in the marching arts. It serves as an incubator that expands access to the world of marching band, color guard, and drum corps design. The program includes a paid residency at Bluecoats Spring Training & mentorship with the Bluecoats design team.

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The Bluecoats Fellowship prepares individuals for placement at programs and institutions around the country, paving a pathway towards a more inclusive world in the marching arts. Each winter an annual cohort of up to seven Bluecoats Fellows will be selected to participate in a season at Bluecoats.

Fellows will embark on a mentorship relationship with the Bluecoats designer in their field, gaining the opportunity to grow their skills and receive advice & guidance on their work. These resident fellowships are modestly paid contract positions that include travel and accommodations. The residency takes place during Bluecoats Spring Training, with additional programming during April and during the DCI World Championships in August each year.

Applications are
open now!

The application deadline for the 2025 Bluecoats Fellowship is January 6, 2025 11:59pm ET.

Group of Fellows sitting around a table, talking to Bluecoats Designer Michael Raiford.

Meet the 2024 Bluecoats Fellows

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Photo of 2022 Fellow.

    • Christopher Artau (he/him)

    • Natalie Brady (she/her)

    • DaJuan Evan Brooks (he/him)

    • Brooke Butler (she/her)

    • Kyle Myers (he/they)

    • Kate Sellers (she/her)

    • Morrice Boutan (he/him)

    • Sara Bowden (they/them)

    • Justin Dozier (he/him)

    • Leah Dunbar (she/her)

    • Luis Angel Gonzalez (he/him)

    • Irene Guggenheim-Triana (she/her)

    • David Ifland (he/him)

Program Highlights

  • One-on-one mentorship with Bluecoats designer in Fellow’s field

  • Group sessions with multiple Bluecoats designers

  • Lifetime recognition as “Bluecoats Fellow”

  • Advice on previous work and existing portfolio

  • Advice and guidance on skills development

  • Residency at Bluecoats Spring Training

  • Attendance at DCI World Championships

  • Opportunity to engage in other Bluecoats programming like The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp, Rhythm IN BLUE, and EN-RICH-MENT

Greg Lagola talking with Bluecoats Fellow.

Schedule

The Bluecoats Fellowship is broken up into three parts mirroring a drum corps season:

    • Welcome & Orientation Video Conference Call (March, date TBD)

    • Group Video Conference Call with Bluecoats Design Team (April, date TBD)

    • Attend April Rehearsal & Design Camp in Canton, OH (April 25 - 27, 2025)

    • First week: move-in to Spring Training at the University of Mount Union, get oriented, observe rehearsals as interested

    • Second week: 2 — 3 approx. 1-hour sessions with members of the design team, including one-on-one conversations with Fellow’s paired designer; observe rehearsals as interested

    • Third week: 2 — 3 approx. 1-hour sessions with members of the design team, including one-on-one conversations with Fellow’s paired designer; observe rehearsals as interested

    • Fourth week: “Meet The Fellows” Digital Media Recording, observe rehearsals as interested

    • note: time during the Spring Training Residency is very flexible. Fellows are welcome to leave for other events and will have time during the day to work on other projects.

    • Bluecoats cannot provide housing & transportation to Fellows during tour, but will issue tickets to all Bluecoats-operated local events

    • Optional: DCI World Championships (August 7-9, 2025): Bluecoats will provide entry passes to Fellows for DCI World Championships.

    • Optional: All Fellows will receive complimentary tickets to the Bluecoats Season Banquet on August 10, 2025

Fellows talking with Michael Raiford

 Other Details

  • There is no application fee

  • Assistantships are available in Visual Design, Choreography, Color Guard Design, Artistic Direction & Program Coordination, Composing & Arranging, Sound Design & Music Coordination, Costume Design, and Scenic Design

  • Bluecoats Fellows are paid a modest stipend during the program and reasonable travel and overnight accommodations are provided during the program

  • Extended-term dormitory housing is provided during Fellow’s stay at Bluecoats Spring Training

  • Meals and other reasonable accommodations are included during Spring Training

  • A background check and execution of the Bluecoats Participant Safety Agreement are required before participating in any student-facing programs of Bluecoats or Bluecoats’ partners and affiliates

  • Each class of Fellows will be announced via press release and listed on the Bluecoats website

  • Have a question? Email us at bluecoats@bluecoats.com

Fellows sitting and listening to a speaker.

Applications are open now

The application deadline is January 6, 2025 11:59pm ET.