An Update on COVID-19 Protocols for the Bluecoats Community

Written By Mike Scott

For the last month, the Bluecoats have been hard at work creating Lucy, a whirlwind “second act” production that takes us into the world of Lucy and her Sky With Diamonds. Now, we are ready to bring that world to you as the Bluecoats join many other corps on a national tour celebrating the return of drum corps!

[Catch Lucy and some other incredible drum corps shows in person (dci.org/events) and on FloMarching (flomarching.com) throughout August!]

Cover of the Bluecoats Covid-19 Protocol & Operations Plan for 2021.

Cover of the Bluecoats Covid-19 Protocol & Operations Plan for 2021.

Since the cancellation of our 2020 season due to the Covid-19 pandemic, Bluecoats has been diligently planning a season focused not on competition, but on safely bringing the Bluecoats Experience back to our students and the Bluecoats Community in 2021. Throughout our Spring Training time here in Marion, IN we have been operating a full-scale testing protocol, masking while indoors, credentialing all individuals, and tracking contacts.

And now - it’s time to take this show on the road!

We’re asking all members of the Bluecoats Community who will engage with the Bluecoats this summer to familiarize themselves with the following elements of our Covid-19 Protocol & Operations Plan in order to keep our performers and personnel healthy and to keep the world of Lucy alive through Saturday, August 14th. Our overarching goal is to prevent any student or Bluecoats personnel from testing positive for Covid-19. A confirmed positive case will cause a performer to be removed from participation for at least ten days, effectively ending their Bluecoats Experience. We appreciate your diligent cooperation in helping keep the Bluecoats Experience alive for these wonderful young people.

All Rehearsals Closed To The Public

  • Beginning August 1st all Bluecoats rehearsals will be closed to the public. Bluecoats-issued credentials will be required for entry into a Bluecoats rehearsal.

Performances

  • We’re excited to be performing live for you once again! Of course, all performances will be viewed from the stands. We kindly ask that you give any credentialed Bluecoats staff person you encounter in the stands some space. They have been instructed to remain socially distanced as much as possible, and masked when appropriate.

  • No member of the public will be permitted “back stage” including on the track or field, in a Bluecoats bus, trailer, or other vehicle, or in areas of set-up and unloading such as the set zone and the area surrounding the equipment truck.

  • The public and members of other drum corps will not be permitted to physically interact with Bluecoats performers and personnel.

  • In certain situations, parents, guardians, and immediate family members will be permitted to visit their Bluecoat, provided they are masked, socially distanced (6 feet or more), and avoid physical contact. These times/areas, when possible, will be communicated directly to Bluecoats and their families.

  • Where the public has access to Bluecoats warm-up zones, all spectators will be required to stay at least 20 feet away from all Bluecoats performers and personnel. Please follow the instructions posted, as well as any instructions given by Bluecoats staff or DCI officials on site.

DCI Celebration Akron

  • Our annual August show in Northeast Ohio is a favorite of the Bluecoats Community, especially our alumni family. All rehearsals at InfoCision Stadium on Sunday August 8th and Monday August 9th are closed to the public. No exceptions. Bluecoats Tier 1 and Tier 2 credentials will be required for entry into the stadium.

  • Annual traditions such as the singing of Autumn Leaves with the alumni and on-field performances with alumni will be suspended for one year. We look forward to these traditions returning for our 50th Anniversary Season in 2022!

  • The reception for the Sustaining Members of The Shield is cancelled this year. Thank you so much for your generosity and support of Bluecoats year round. Without you, this season would not have been possible. Details for some incredible Shield benefits during our 50th Anniversary Season will be posted this winter.

  • All tickets for the DCI Celebration Akron will be digital tickets issued by Ticketmaster. There is no print-at-home option. Please ensure that you have received your digital tickets and are comfortable with their use and distribution. With questions or for technical support contact the DCI Box Office at (317) 275-1212.

  • The box office will be open for day-of ticket sales from 9am to 5pm. All tickets purchased on site will still be digital tickets. From 5pm until 8pm tickets can be purchased on your phone from the dci.org website or by scanning the QR codes available at the UA Box Office.

DCI Celebration Indianapolis

  • The Bluecoats return to Lucas Oil Stadium with our second act Lucy! All protocols posted above apply to this event.

  • You can learn more about DCI’s protocols for the entire summer, and especially for events at Lucas Oil Stadium here.

Season Exit

  • Following the conclusion of all DCI events on Saturday night all Bluecoats performers will return all equipment and costuming to Bluecoats.

  • After equipment has been returned and checked-in, performers will be dismissed from Bluecoats

  • A bus shuttle will be provided to bring all students to a Bluecoats-provided hotel room on Saturday night, if they wish to use it.

  • Family, friends, and other members of the Bluecoats Community will not be permitted to enter the parking lot or other “backstage” areas at Lucas Oil Stadium. All visitation must happen after a student has been dismissed from the corps.

  • No equipment sale pick-ups will be permitted. Please contact sales@bluecoats.com with questions.

Mike Scott
Mike Scott is a clinician, consultant, and the CEO of Rhythm X, Inc., a non-profit music education company in Dayton, Ohio. Mike earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio in 2012. There he studied percussion and conducting and completed the Farmer School of Business Summer Institute. Before beginning his career as an administrator and teacher, Mike was an active performer in the marching arts. In 2011 Mike was the conductor of the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps of Canton, Ohio and was a performer in Rhythm X’s percussion ensemble from 2011-2012. Mike was also a member of the Miami University Marching Band for four years, serving as the drum major during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. In 2013 Mike began work at Rhythm X, Inc. as the Operations Director, managing the business development and logistics of the organization. He was also the Director of Instrumental Music at St. Ursula Academy in Toledo, Ohio. There he taught band, orchestra, and general music in grades 6-12. Prior to the 2015 competitive season, Mike became the first full-time employee at Rhythm X, Inc. as the company’s CEO. There he works with the organization’s President Tim Fairbanks to develop the future strategy of the company. During the summer months, Mike travels the country with the Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps as the group’s Tour Administrator. He has also served as the tour manager of The Cadets Drum and Bugle Corps of Allentown, Pennsylvania. Mike proudly endorses Innovative Percussion, Etymotic Research, and Fred J. Miller Inc.
http://mikewscott.com
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