Bluecoats announces staffing additions to its growing 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps
May 27, 2021, Canton, Ohio. Bluecoats are proud to announce additional staffing to its ever-growing 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps preparing to perform in the summer of 2022. On the heels of eclipsing 275 registered performers, including 175 in the horn line, a key technical position is being announced in addition to percussion Section Leaders. Working together, Caption Heads and Section Leaders will provide key instruction and consultation over the next year with the 300 performers.
Erik Kosman, a member of the Bluecoat Front Ensemble between 2006 and 2009, will take on the role of Sound Engineer and help craft the soundscape for the Alumni Corps. This is a first in the activity, as no previous alumni corps performing at DCI World Championship week has utilized electronics and amplification. Kosman bring a wealth of experience, as between 2014 and 2018 he was both an instructor for the Front Ensemble but also Electronics Caption Head where he was part of the creative team that shaped the soundscape for the modern Bluecoats. He currently serves as a consultant to the drum corps, marching and concert band activity.
Joining Kosman on the percussion side of the ensemble, four Section Leaders are also being named. Dennis Carty, part of the 1998 Bluecoats Snare line and has spent a large part of the last 20 years working around the drum corps activity with the likes of Spirit of Atlanta, Boston Crusaders, Phantom Regiment, Colts in addition to top bands in the marching activity. David Cox, an original “Bloo Q” member of the Tenor line in 1997 has teaching experience with Bluecoats and Crossmen and has a performance resume that includes the Blue Devils, Blast! and several touring ensembles including a recent stint with the NFL Atlanta Falcons Drumline.
David Vielhaber, part of the 2002 and 2003 Bluecoat Bass line, continued performing after aging out with WGI and DCA organizations, including the Empire Statesmen. He was an inaugural member and arranger of Bluecoats Rhythm IN BLUE Alumni Ensemble and has taught and arranged with the Columbus Saints. Krysti Miranda was a 3 year member of the Bluecoats Cymbal Line from 2001-2003 then went on to march with the Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps and Aftermath Indoor Percussion. She designs indoor percussion shows and is the Director of Northern York Indoor Percussion
With Bluecoats Alumni performers spread across the continent, these Section Leaders will work doggedly to help recover performer’s “chops” back into respectable playing shape and to begin learning the 15-minute show that will see four public performances in July and August of 2022, including the DCI World Championship Semi-Finals Encore slot. To view the full staffing complement of Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps Caption Heads, Section Leaders and the Design Team, visit bluecoats.com/alumni-corps-staffing.
