After Summer Tour Cancellation, 2020 Drum Corps Will Not Take The Field
Not since 1983 has the “Canton Bluecoats” not fielded a drum corps. Founded in 1972 as a program of the Canton Police Boys Club, the organization has weathered many challenges over the years. But today, as a standalone non-profit that brings performing arts programming to thousands of young people, the Bluecoats organization faces an unprecedented challenge.
Yesterday, together with our fellow members of Drum Corps International, we made the difficult decision to cancel our 2020 drum corps season because of the ongoing Covid-19 crisis. The field will go dark, the music will stop, and decades-long traditions like the local “Innovations In Brass” drum corps competition will be canceled.
An empty Innovations In Brass field in 1979.
The Bluecoats organization’s primary focus has always been the health and well-being of the young people who call the Bluecoats home. It was simply impossible to ensure a safe, well-funded, and world class season, given the unprecedented public health crisis. “It breaks my heart, knowing that we cannot provide our young performers and fans the experience of a Bluecoats season,” said Mike Scott, Chief Executive Officer of Bluecoats, “but we are working tirelessly to fulfill the promises we’ve made to our participants by re-envisioning as much of the Bluecoats Experience as we can.
More than 300 Bluecoats performers, parents, and staff members joined together today in a “circle up” webinar for an update. The season cancellation , the financial and operational challenges the organization now faces, and efforts to continue the Bluecoats Experience were all discussed on the emotional call.
This summer, the Bluecoats organization will meet monthly with the corps members for Bluecoats In The Cloud sessions, with the goal of fostering the camaraderie and social connection that a normal drum corps season would provide. “The Bluecoats Experience is about more than performances and touring,” said CFO/COO Genevieve Geisler, “it is about education, values, and teamwork - and we intend to bring as much of that experience as possible to our participants, staff, and supporters this summer.”
Of course, a season cancellation means that our supporters, ticket buyers, and fans will have a lot of questions. We have created an FAQ page at bluecoats.com/2020faqs where you can find more information. For those seeking refunds to events, information will be provided at bluecoats.com/refunds. As we work to coordinate and fund a massive refund effort across hundreds of venues, thousands of fans, and more than 40 organizations, we appreciate your patience and support.
Emails and messages of support are pouring into our office, and we are overwhelmed by the generosity of our community. As we face massive event cancellations, the temporary closure of Champion Bingo, and the pending refund of hundreds of thousands of dollars for fees and tickets, this community’s willingness to help is heartening. For those asking, you can support us at bluecoats.com/give or by becoming a Sustaining Member of The Shield at bluecoats.com/theshield. Those wishing to donate their ticket purchase, registrations, and other fees will have the opportunity to do so during the refund request process. With questions about how to help, please email us at give@bluecoats.com for visit the FAQ page.
It is with profound sadness that we make this announcement, but with great optimism for the drum corps tradition, and for what the 2021 Bluecoats have in store for the world.
Today we join in support of all who love the drum corps tradition. We are confident that, together, we will #MarchOn, and we are already overwhelmed by the support that our community is providing. Thank you for your continued support in this difficult time. Be well.
A 2019 performer “ages out.”
