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Monday Memory: When we Came Back for a Second Time
After a summer without drum corps, what does that next year look like? Well it’s something Bluecoats have had more experience than others doing. After a strong decade in the 1970s growing from a parade corps to a Class A nationally known corps, Bluecoats struggled to stay on the field in 1979 and then again 1983. 1984 was the third attempt to get a drum corps in Canton established, and the second comeback attempt in just four years.
Let's talk about 2021
As Bluecoats looks toward 2021, we’re launching a suite of programs that both prepare the corps for a 2021 season and bring educational programming to interested participants along the way.
Monday Memory: Coming Back Strong after Missing a Year
In 1978 the Bluecoats were sitting on top of the Ohio drum corps world. Tucked into their belt was state championships with the VFW and American Legion, but in their cap? How about the coveted American International Open Class A title? But the accolades hid deeper challenges, according to Director Tom Jakmides about their trek to the Championship Week in 1978, “At the end of the 1978 season… our equipment truck died in Kansas City, our uniforms were six years old and our horns were falling apart.”
Jon Vanderkolff Inducted to Bluecoats Hall of Fame
Along with Jim Moore, we inducted Jon Vanderkolff to the Bluecoats Hall of Fame during the Bluecoats Telethon at the beginning of August. Although we couldn’t do our regular in-person celebrations, Bluecoats CEO Mike Scott, Executive Advisor David Glasgow, and Program Coordinator Dean Westman had a video call to chat about why Jon Vanderkolff is so deserving of this honor.