The Latest
FLASH Visual Media Will Be Exclusive Provider of Bluecoats Flags & Scenic Printing
Bluecoats’ newest Performance Partner is FLASH Visual Media, an industry leader in digitally printed flags, floor tarps, scenery, and custom accessories in the marching arts. Today, the two organizations announced the endorsement and sponsorship relationship, in anticipation of the Bluecoats 50th Anniversary Season.
All flags and digitally-printed scenery for both the Bluecoats 2022 competitive production and the more than 400-member 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps will be produced by FLASH.
Meet the Bluecoats Fellows!
Built as a centerpiece initiative of our 50th Anniversary Celebration, the Bluecoats Fellowship aims to create a pathway to a more diverse and inclusive world in the marching arts. Bluecoats Fellows are individuals who are a part of, or are committed to supporting, traditionally under-represented communities in marching arts design, and are selected by demonstrating excellent skill and potential in their field. Fellows will be paired with the Bluecoats designer in their field and will take part in an assistantship to grow their skills, receive advice and guidance on their work, and learn from a renowned world-class designer.
Hall of Recognition Nominations Close April 1!
The 2022 Bluecoats Hall of Recognition nomination form is now open! Each year we accept nominations of individuals associated with Bluecoats who have created the Bluecoats legacy. We’re proud to recognize our incredible members, instructors, volunteers, and administrators through these three annual awards.
We've been Marching Forth for over 50 years!
As the activity celebrates “March Forth” and the hopes of a regular competitive season in 2022, Bluecoats have been doing this marching thing for well over 50 years. While the organization turns 50th this year, the marching roots were in town long before that. The people who would pen their names to the formation of Bluecoats had participated in the drum corps activity in Canton and Massillon dating back to the 1940s. Bringing a taste of that to the Boys Club was the kindling that would start the fire in 1972.
Finals Week With Bluecoats!
As we celebrate our 50th anniversary season, we have special local events and a full DCI tour planned, culminating in DCI World Championships week in Indianapolis. As always, this is a busy and exciting week for us! This year, we’ll even have our 50th Anniversary Alumni Corps to help us celebrate!
Here’s a round-up of all the information you need about World Championships week!
2021 Diversity & Socioeconomic Impact Report
In July 2020, we promised to create an annual report on the demographic and socioeconomic impact of Bluecoats programs, the diversity of our team, and the progress of our initiatives to advance inclusion and equity within our organization.
This is our second year of building this report—you can view last year’s inaugural report here. Reflecting on these data annually allows us a concrete and ongoing opportunity to reflect on our programming and the ways in which we’d like to see it grow in our pursuit to build a more inclusive and equitable culture. As we take steps to advance this culture, sharing this demographic data helps us to create a culture of transparency and, we hope, this report increases people’s understanding of the reasons the steps we are taking are so necessary.
Andrew Lynge Joins Bluecoats Team, Ryan Kilgore Returns
Dr. Andrew Lynge joins the team as Front Ensemble Consultant. Dr. Matthew Ryan Kilgore’s long-time influence in percussion caption re-affirmed in additional role as Percussion Caption Advisor.
Brass Educational Team Continues to Grow
Bluecoats welcomes Ben Harloff, Genevieve Clarkson, Max Crofton, and Alex Bender to team after previously welcoming Richard Alvarado and Alex Szabo.
The 2022 Bluecoats Brass Educational Team continues to grow under the continued leadership of Brass Caption Head Derek Gipson.