Announcing Our 2025 Summer Season
The 2025 Summer Season at Bluecoats Includes an Expanded Summer Arts Camp & a New National Symposium for Music Educators.
Season Highlights Include
The return of one of the nation’s largest drum corps shows - Innovations in Brass - to the HOF Enshrinement Week at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium on Monday, August 4th, featuring some of the world’s greatest drum corps and the return of the BANDtastic! middle school honor band! Last year’s event was one of the largest in the stadium annually.
An expanded Summer Arts Camp, to include a two-day Leadership Symposium and four-day All-Inclusive summer camp. This also includes a brand new national Music Educators Seminar featuring nationally-recognized leaders in marching band and music pedagogy.
The return of the Bluecoats Summer Music Series, including Bluecoats Party in the Plaza at Centennial Plaza, and Opening Night Community Celebration at the University of Mt. Union, the EN-RICH-MENT African American Arts Festival, and more.
The third year of Rhythm IN BLUE, a low-cost, low-barrier version of the Bluecoats Experience for any student 18 or older, and the fourth cohort of the Bluecoats Fellowship, an honors program and incubator for early-career designers in the marching arts.
The World Champions accept their medals at the DCI World Championships.
The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp performs alongside the Bluecoats.
The Bluecoats organization today announced more details of its 2025 summer season, featuring the expansion of The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp and the return of the Bluecoats Summer Music Series. Of course, the defending World Champions will tour the United States making 29 stops for rehearsals, performances, and competitions in stadiums as far west as San Antonio, TX and eastward to Delaware, Eastern Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
Locally, the world-renowned drum corps will appear at events of the Bluecoats Summer Music Series including Bluecoats Opening Night Community Celebration, Bluecoats Party in the Plaza, a concert at Gervasi Vineyard, and Innovations in Brass at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during Enshrinement Week.
But you won’t find only the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps at these events. The Bluecoats organization will feature its other community and learning programs during the Summer Music Series including Rhythm IN BLUE, Legacy Arc, and the students of The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp. Several annual guest performances will be included, such as Cincinnati Tradition, EN-RICH-MENT EN-Corps (an affiliate program of Bluecoats), and even the Scenic Route.
“When they are in season, the corps consume the lives of their members — perfecting a single performance, and then continuing to drill it until it is somewhere beyond perfection.”
The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp Expansion
Popular among high school and college students across the country and throughout the world, The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp saw its largest-ever attendance in 2024. More than 250 students from across North America attended the two-day camp where participants get to live and perform alongside the Bluecoats during the exciting final days of Bluecoats Spring Training.
In 2025, the Bluecoats organization plans to expand the camp from two days to a total of four days and three nights. The expansion includes the addition of a two-day overnight Leadership Symposium for marching band students as well as a two-day Music Educators Seminar focused on continuing education and the ever-evolving best practices in band education.
NEW! Two-Day Student Leadership Symposium!
Students wishing to expand their Summer Arts Camp experience by two days can now attend the Leadership Symposium. It will also be available as a standalone camp. The overnight event will dive into leadership lessons focused on Bluecoats’ core values: excellence, creativity, inclusivity, integrity, and collaboration. Students will take a performance masterclass from Bluecoats Scenic Designer Michael Raiford where they will focus on excellence, learn about the importance of inclusivity during group activities, get creative during an arts clinic, and more. Students will walk away from this camp experience knowing more about what it takes to be a young leader in their marching band programs and beyond.
NEW! Two-Day Music Educators Seminar!
This new two-day camp for band directors and instructors will include two days of continuing education, networking, and inspiration. Attendees will learn from national leaders in music education including Dr. Drew Dickey, Assistant Director of Bands at The University of Texas at Austin, and Dean Westman, Performing Arts Department Chair and Director of Orchestras at Avon High School. Additionally, they’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at Bluecoats rehearsals, engage in meaningful pedagogical conversations, and meet other music educators from around the country. This one-of-a-kind continuing education experience takes advantage of its surroundings at the heart of Bluecoats’ Spring Training during the final days of preparation for its opening weekend and national tour.
This expanded Summer Arts Camp model is possible thanks to the multi-year residency agreement between Bluecoats and the University of Mount Union. The corps and its many community and educational programs - like The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp - return to their third year on the campus. This July, Summer Arts Camp and the surrounding Opening Weekend festivities of Bluecoats are expected to bring nearly five hundred overnight attendees to camps and thousands more daily visitors.
Registration for the new-and-improved Summer Arts Camp is open at bluecoats.com/theblueway. An early bird discount extends until March 1st 2025.
A Continued Focus on Education & Community Programs
With the grand opening of its EN-RICH-MENT Arts Education Center, affiliation with EN-RICH-MENT, and launch of Band Director Days, among other programs, Bluecoats spent 2024 launching an expansive new portfolio of community-oriented and educational programming. In addition to the significant expansion and investment in The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp, Bluecoats will spend the 2025 summer season continuing to expand the impact and quality of its educational programs.
BANDtastic! Honor Band Returns!
BANDtastic! middle school students rehearse with guest conductor Dr. Galen Karriker.
In partnership with Drum Corps International, Bluecoats is excited to announce the return of the BANDtastic! middle school honor band! Last year, nearly 200 middle school students participated in this educationally-oriented program in Canton. Students are nominated for the program by their middle school band director and experience mass band rehearsals from local band directors and guest conductors. The experience culminates with a joint mass-band performance alongside Rhythm IN BLUE at Innovations in Brass. Last year’s event had an audience of more than 10,000! Then, the students will have the opportunity to sit in the stands and watch the Bluecoats and several of the best drum corps in America perform on the first day of DCI World Championships Week!
The 2025 edition of BANDtastic! will again feature guest conductor Dr. Galen Karriker, Director of Bands at the University of Akron, and master teacher Dean Westman, Director of Orchestras, and Performing Arts Department Chair at Avon (IN) Community Schools and the Sr. Education Advisor at Bluecoats. Additionally, many of Northeast Ohio’s finest band directors will participate in this great day of learning and fun!
Learn more at bluecoats.com/bandtastic.
EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Summer Camp
The annual EN-RICH-MENT Fine Arts Summer Camp will take place this summer from early June 4th through the middle of July at the brand-new EN-RICH-MENT Arts Education Center. The program is free to all students, and typically puts more than 200 students through the program each summer. Featuring classes in music, art, theater,
dance, gardening, and other life skills, the Fine Arts Summer Camp is perhaps one of the most impactful free youth programs offered in Canton each summer.
Learn more and register early next year at en-rich-ment.org.
Band Director Days Return
Bluecoats designers conduct a masterclass with Band Director Day attendees.
Also returning this year are Band Director Days! In partnership with the University of Mount Union, Bluecoats will host two action-packed continuing education days during Bluecoats Spring Training. The half-day events will include time spent observing Bluecoats rehearsals and educational processes, a session with a senior Bluecoats designer or educator on a specific design, pedagogy, or rehearsal topic, and attendance at full ensemble rehearsal narrated by Bluecoats’ Sr. Education Advisor and master teacher Dean Westman.
More information is available at bluecoats.com/band-director-days. Dates will be announced after the new year.
Rhythm IN BLUE Defends Its Best Of Show Crown
This weekends-only, more accessible version of the Bluecoats Experience returns for another summer of creative marching arts on a smaller stage. Following two straight years of “Soundsport Best Of Show” awards at the Soundsport International Music & Food Festival at the Drum Corps International World Championships, Rhythm IN BLUE will return for a jam-packed summer schedule of six weekends, including a performance at Innovations In Brass in Canton, OH and a trip to the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis.
Learn more at bluecoats.com/rhythminblue.
Legacy Arc Keeps The Bluecoats Tradition Alive
Following a highly-engaged 2024 season, dozens of Bluecoats alumni will again assemble the Legacy Arc! This Bluecoats program is an ensemble that keeps alive the Bluecoats musical tradition. Made up of alumni from around Northeast Ohio and across the country, you’ll find Legacy Arc performing at several Bluecoats Summer Music Series events including Bluecoats Opening Night Community Celebration, Bluecoats
Learn more at bluecoats.com/legacyarc.
The Bluecoats Fellowship Honors Its Fourth Cohort Of Early-Career Designers
A Bluecoats Fellow takes part in his 1:1 designer mentorship.
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. These modestly-paid fellowships return to their residency at Bluecoats Spring Training this summer. This will be the fourth class of Bluecoats Fellows honored since the program’s inception in 2022.
Applications are open now, along with more information at bluecoats.com/fellowship.
Reigning World Champions Return To Their Spring Training Home At The University of Mount Union
Bluecoats Spring Training returns to its home at the University of Mount Union in 2025! During this six-week camp, the Bluecoats and their instructors prepare for their national tour. The event utilizes the rehearsal, physical training, and athletic medicine assets on the beautiful Mt. Union campus. The students and staff live on campus and eat daily at the dining facilities.
This event, now hosted in Stark County, serves as a springboard for much of the Bluecoats organization’s other Spring and Summer programming in the local community, including the six-week residency of the Bluecoats Fellowship, and events like Band Director Days, The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp, Bluecoats Opening Night Community Celebration, and Alumni Homecoming Weekend also leverage the campus during Spring Training.
The corps rehearses at Spring Training daily from 9am until between 9 and 10p, and takes Mondays off to explore Alliance, rest, and recover. Nightly ensemble rehearsals are open to the public, and often visited by locals who enjoy watching the Bluecoats show come to life. (Some rehearsals may be closed to the public, please check Bluecoats’ social media accounts before attending.)
8,000 Mile National Tour & The DCI World Championships
The defending World Champions will represent Canton, OH once again on its more than 8,000 mile national tour. This year the corps will traverse the Midwest on its way to its usual destinations across Texas, the South, and the East. Each year, the tour culminates during “Championships
Week” when the corps returns to its hometown send-off at Innovations in Brass, a rehearsal at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, and then three nights of thrilling competition at the DCI World Championships. Last year marked the ninth medalist finish and second world championship of the world-renowned corps.
The corps will stop in these incredible cities in Summer 2025!
Alliance, OH
Canton, OH
Whitewater, WI
La Crosse, WI
Dubuque, IA
Lisle, IL
Broken Arrow, OK
Denton, TX
Houston, TX
San Antonio, TX
Mesquite, TX
Greater Nashville (TBD)
Atlanta, GA
Winston-Salem, NC
Glassboro, NJ (Greater Philadelphia)
Lawrence, MA (Greater Boston)
Allentown, PA
Canton, OH
Indianapolis, IN
Additionally, the corps’ rehearsal stop in Cincinnati during the first week of July will include The Blue Way Marching Band Clinic, a one-day educational event at the University of Cincinnati. Date and other information will be announced later this winter.
Tickets & Information
Tickets for Innovations in Brass will be available online at bluecoats.com/innovations. Plan to spend the day at the Hall of Fame Village during the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Festival! Learn more, including parking details when you plan your visit at bluecoats.com/innovationsvisit.
Find a full list of Bluecoats’ events and ticket information at bluecoats.com/events.
A Bluecoat performs a solo for the hometown Hall of Fame crowd at Innovations in Brass.
Fans jump to their feet at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium as the Bluecoats perform.
Group Sales & Play It Forward
Bluecoats offers Group Sales discounts for Innovations in Brass.
Bluecoats offers group discounts of 10% off for groups of 5+, or 15% off for groups of 10+ at The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp. Email blueway@bluecoats.com to learn more.
Play It Forward offers free drum corps tickets for performing arts students of select schools in Northeast Ohio. Learn more about the program at bluecoats.com/playitforward.
Streaming
FloMarching is the official streaming partner of Drum Corps International. Catch the Bluecoats and DCI’s other amazing corps on FloMarching’s streaming schedule at flomarching.com.
FloMarching is the official streaming partner of the Bluecoats Opening Night Community Celebration. The event will stream live on flomarching.com. More details at bluecoats.com/openingnight.
2025 Sponsors & Partners
Learn more about how you can sponsor the Bluecoats Summer Music Series and Bluecoats programming here. Learn more about our incredible partners here.
Performance Partners
Yamaha Musical Instruments Stanbury Uniforms
Tama Drums
Bergerault Percussion Zildjian
Innovative Percussion
Evans Drumheads
Ultimate Drill Book
Directors Showcase International (DSI)
Pageantry Innovations
Digital Performance Gear Meinl
Hammond Design
ON2 Percussion
Planet Waves
TreeWorks
Wireless Mic Belts
Public Support
ArtsinStark
Ohio Arts Council
VisitCanton
Downtown Canton Special Improvement District (SID)
Community Partners
Young Trucks
PPI Graphics
Stark Community Foundation
Pro Football Hall of Fame
Drum Corps International
National First Ladies Library & Museum
Streaming Partner
FloMarching, a division of FloSports
About Bluecoats
Founded in 1972, Bluecoats is a 501(c)3 non-profit performing arts education organization known around the world for the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps, The Blue Way Educational Events, Bluecoats School of the Arts, Rhythm IN BLUE, and more. Bluecoats brings performing arts education to thousands of aspiring young musicians in Stark County and around the globe. The organization’s world-renowned drum & bugle corps is currently the defending world champions. In 2023 the organization added EN-RICH-MENT as an affiliate, and completed the construction of the $2.2mm EN-RICH-MENT Arts Education Center in Downtown Canton, where it provides free arts, music, and lifeskills programming.
For more information about covering Bluecoats in the media, visit our press room at bluecoats.com/press.
The defending World Champions.
