Bluecoats History Night Highlights Traditions Rooted in Membership Diversity
On June 20, Bluecoats held our annual History Night, a celebration of Bluecoats history and a way for current participants to learn more about the people and events of past seasons. This year’s event was transitioned to an interactive Zoom presentation and call, and brought together alumni from every decade as well as the 2020 Bluecoats membership. As a part of this event, Bluecoats alumni Charles Stewart and JD Mayo spoke to the group about their experiences as Black drum majors in the 1990s. Their presentation made clear the significant impact Black voices have had on Bluecoats history and traditions, and the continuing impact of their legacy today.
Now a Bluecoats Hall of Fame member, Charles Stewart was first inspired to join the Bluecoats after watching them perform in 1992. “Seeing Chris Miles on the podium for the first time in Toledo inspired me greatly when I was marching senior corps in 1992,” he said. “He was the first African-American drum major I ever saw leading a top 12 corps.” Miles was an integral part of the beginning of one of the corps’ most cherished traditions: The Silver Penny Tradition. Still in place today, the tradition began because Miles and other student leaders wanted to find a way to link new corps members with veteran participants and to establish a stronger Bluecoats identity both on and off the field. As it turned out, Miles was the first of four successive Black drum majors to lead the Bluecoats, and was followed by Stewart (1994-1995), Victor Banfield (1996) and John David Mayo (1997-1998).
During his own tenure as drum major, Stewart formulated the Bluecoat Handbook for Drum Majors, by logging and organizing leadership duties, corps traditions, significant moments and other reflections in a document that has been passed down from conductor to conductor ever since. The handbook has been a vital part of every new Bluecoats Drum Major’s leadership experience, and versions have since been adopted by other drum corps. After serving as drum major, Stewart became a Bluecoats staff member and began a career in music education; he still serves as a mentor to Bluecoats conductors and as the primary coordinator for THE BLUE WAY Summer Interactive Educational Experience.
John David Mayo was the fourth of the consecutive Black drum majors for Bluecoats in the 1990s and often joins Stewart as a conducting & leadership instructor with THE BLUE WAY Summer Interactive Educational Experience. “JD” Mayo was a member of the hornline between 1993 and 1996, serving as the Horn Sergeant and section leader in that 1996 season. He continued with Bluecoats as the Drum Major in 1997, aging out on the conductor's podium in 1998. Mayo strongly influenced another cherished Bluecoats tradition - the motto “Six Words”, which he and fellow soprano Errick Prince created in 1995. Over the years, “Six Words” has inspired countless members, staff, and volunteers to push for excellence, and has served as a rallying phrase that is almost as synonymous with the Bluecoats as BLOO!
Saturday’s presentation was a poignant way to connect Bluecoats history with the corps’ current efforts to develop an anti-racist environment within the organization. Bluecoats educators Ric Brown & Bryen Warfield were recently appointed to lead this Advisory Council of staff, participants, and alumni as Bluecoats seeks to learn about and incorporate anti-racist ideas into educational practices and implement anti-racist policies within the organization. As Stewart and Mayo made clear, Bluecoats history is rooted in a strong tradition of Black leadership, and it remains vital to build upon that legacy as we continue to pursue an inclusive, diverse, and anti-racist community.
As Mayo said, “I am uberly thankful for our Bluecoats family. Our leadership right now has done something and been on the forefront of inclusion, strength, and support of everyone that touches this corps. There is still more work to do and we are committed to doing so with backing the Our Marching Matters movement and HBCU student scholarships. Bluecoats is steeped in inclusion as a pillar of this family.”
You can watch a full video of our public History Night 2020 on Facebook.
