A Brand New Rhythm IN BLUE!

Rhythm IN BLUE will bring the Bluecoats Experience to any performer 18+ in 2020. Season will culminate in Indianapolis Soundsport™️ performance.

CANTON, OH - The mission of Bluecoats includes bringing world-class performance experiences to students through our programs. We call this the Bluecoats Experience, and we work hard to make it unique, life-changing and unforgettable.

With the goal of bringing the Bluecoats Experience to as many young people as possible, and working hard to ensure that our programming is accessible and affordable, today we’re announcing a new version of Rhythm IN BLUE that brings the Bluecoats Experience to a broader audience.

Rhythm IN BLUE was founded in 2012 as an alumni program of Bluecoats, eventually opening the ensemble to friends and family of Bluecoats alumni. For the last eight years, the program has performed at community events in Northeast Ohio, and in Drum Corps International events including Tour of Champions: Akron and the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival™️ in Indianapolis, IN.

In 2020 - the Rhythm IN BLUE season will expand to participate in more performances, including a “mini tour” that will culminate with a performance at the Tour of Champions: Akron performance and the SoundSport International Music & Food Festival™️ during the DCI World Championships in Indianapolis, IN. Starting today, the program is open to any student 18+ who can commute to Ohio for an Audition Experience Camp, rehearsals and performances. Pre-season rehearsals will be one weekend day about every six weeks in the winter and spring. The summer rehearsals and performances will primarily be on weekends except for the final week of the season spanning from the Tour of Champions: Akron to the Drum Corps International World Championships weekend.

2020 does not mark the end of the rich alumni experiences offered at Bluecoats, however! The programs Curbside! and The Legacy Arc will continue to be managed by the Bluecoats Alumni Council. These programs bring performance opportunities to alumni with local performances in Northeast Ohio and an opportunity to perform at Bluecoats-operated events, including the with the corps during performances of the Bluecoats corps song Autumn Leaves.

For 2020, Bluecoats has assembled an excellent instructional and design team for Rhythm IN BLUE. Musical supervision and design will be managed by Ryan Adamsons, who marched Bluecoats in the early 2000s, taught brass with both Bluecoats (2003-2008, 2011) and Santa Clara Vanguard (2012-2019). He was elevated to Assistant Brass Caption Head in 2019 while at the same time arranging music for the Santa Clara Cadets, including their Open Class Championships in 2018. Joining the team as Visual Supervision and Designer is Will Wells, also an early 2000s Bluecoat and recently has taught with Blue Stars on visual (2012-2015) and brass (2020) staff with drill design credits across Texas as well as 2016 Texas Area E Champion Port Isabel High School Silver Tarpon Band. Rounding out the design team is Vickie Disch, who marched Bluecoats 1990 in the guard, co-founded and co-designed Fortitude Independent (WGI) then later went on to design and instruct for Munford (TN) High School’s marching band guard and MIA Gold Medalist indoor guard. She currently serves the Color Guard Director for the University of Dayton Flyer Marching Band.

Rhythm IN BLUE Director, Jay Wise, is excited about the new approach, “We learned a lot about SoundSport over the past four years as a Bluecoats alumni ensemble and I can’t wait to take this next step.” Bluecoats CEO Mike Scott added, “Expanding our vision of what this program can be will only bring the Bluecoats Experience to more young people, in a more accessible way. How great! ”

Bluecoats will host an Audition Experience Camp on February 8th, 2020 at Orrville High School, in Orrville, Ohio. The event is open to anyone with marching arts experience over the age of 18. Rhythm IN BLUE will be open to brass, colorguard, and drum set or auxiliary percussion performers, and all are encouraged to complete this form if interested!