The Latest
Bluecoats & Son Lux Announce Two-Year Creative and Educational Partnership, Son Lux Named Artist In Residence Through 2025 Season
The Oscar-Nominated band, known for its film score of Everything Everywhere All At Once, will contribute creatively to the 2024 and 2025 shows, including new music being written for the world-renowned drum corps and educational collaboration with the performers.
Bluecoats 2024 Summer Season & National Tour
The Bluecoats organization today announced more details of its 2024 summer season. The season will feature a renewed focus on Arts Education in the Stark County community. In addition to the corps’ return to the DCI “Midwest Tour,” this summer’s season features other exciting changes. The organization will host a special ribbon cutting and grand opening ceremony of its new EN-RICH-MENT Arts Education Center on the same day as its annual block party - Bluecoats Party in the Plaza. Additionally, the Summer Music Series will gain a new annual event as EN-RICH-MENT’s African American Arts Festival joins the line-up.
Anna Meredith Discusses Bluecoats on BBC Radio 3 - Music Matters
On Saturday Anna Meredith joined Tom Service on the UK radio program Music Matters, hosted on BBC Radio 3. She discussed Bluecoats’ use of three of her titles, focusing on the 2023 use of Nautilus in Riffs & Revelations.
Bluecoats & University of Mount Union Announce Five-Year Summer Residency Agreement For Corps’ Annual Spring Training, Summer Learning Programs & More
The two institutions are leveraging the new deal to cooperate on a new program - Band Director Days – on the UMU campus. The five-year deal will allow for the continued expansion of Bluecoats’ Stark-based summer music series and two-day educational event, The Blue Way Summer Arts Camp.
Hall of Recognition Nominations Now Open
The 2024 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.
The Bluecoats 2024 Drum Majors & Team Hands
We’re excited to announce our drum majors & conductors for the 2024 Bluecoats!
Returning to the Bluecoats in a new position, Antonio (Tony) Gamez will take on the role of Drum Major. 2023 conductors 丛曦 (John) Cong and Catherine Oles will return as Assistant Drum Majors. Collin Jarvis and Red Willhelm join the Bluecoats team as conductors.
Bluecoats & EN-RICH-MENT Launch $1.75M Campaign To Build New Education Center in Downtown Canton
The facility will be dedicated to the after-school, weekend, and summer programs of EN-RICH-MENT & will be located on the campus of the Cultural Center for the Arts. The Building A Future campaign goal is $1.75 million.
Monday Memory: When There Was No Off-Season
Back in the earliest of days, the Bluecoats never heard of "Spring Training." We trained all year round, every week on Tuesday and Thursday evenings with the occasional weekend camp, and just transitioned our work based on the season. In the fall, we would focus on basics at the old Boys Club. In the early '70's, it was about teaching many of us to simply play our instruments. Some of us learned on ancient equipment (I started on a single piston bugle...google that!) and the marching staff would teach us all about posture and military-style marching. It was mostly a time to keep us together from the previous season and to welcome newcomers.