The Latest
Bluecoats Welcomes Jeff Mlakar to Board of Directors
At the recent Annual Meeting of the Corporation, the Bluecoats Board of Directors elected Jeff Mlakar as the organization’s newest Director At Large. Jeff’s connections to the drum corps activity, leadership in higher education and technology, and passion for non-profit leadership and volunteerism makes him an excellent addition to our organization’s board and to our continuing commitment to our mission, vision, and values.
Rhythm IN BLUE & JER Announce 2026 Creative Partnership, JER Named Artist In Residence
Today Bluecoats and JER announced the start of a creative partnership for Bluecoats’ SoundSport ensemble Rhythm IN BLUE. JER will be Rhythm IN BLUE’s Artist In Residence for the 2026 season.
Bluecoats 2026 National Tour Schedule
The Bluecoats’ 2026 national tour is shaping up to be one of the most exciting seasons yet, featuring a long-awaited return to the West Coast and the beloved Bluecoats Summer Music Series back home in Ohio. From thrilling California performances to immersive educational events, this summer promises unforgettable moments for fans, performers, and music lovers alike.
Kevin LeBoeuf Joins Music Design Team
Kevin LeBoeuf is joining the Bluecoats Design Team as a Music Designer. He joined the organization in 2023 as the Brass Caption Head, and will continue in that role alongside his new design responsibilities. Doug Thrower, who has been teaching and writing for the Bluecoats organization in various capacities since 1992, will continue to compose the brass score, in collaboration with Tom Rarick, Matt Jordan, and now Kevin.
When a rest stop turns into an encore?
Some of the onlookers were quite surprised to see their afternoon of wandering throughout the open space riding bikes, flying kites and picnicking interrupted by a (literal) band of teenagers and college-aged kids with odd tan lines marching through their midst. Some stopped to watch, others kept going about their lives unconcerned with the flags being tossed and spun around them and the loud strains of “Johnny One Note” and “Sing, Sing, Sing” belting away in the distance.
2024 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 fifth annual Diversity & Socioeconomic Impact Report.
The Bluecoats Will Tour California In 2026
The Bluecoats are heading to the Golden State this summer! Following the corps’ annual Spring Training and Opening Night Community Celebration at the University of Mount Union, the corps will head west, kicking off a twelve state national tour that begins in California.
The corps last visited the West Coast in 2009.
Following early-July stops in Southern California and the Bay Area, the corps will turn back east. Fans can expect the corps to stop on its way to Texas, before returning to a more typical schedule in the Southwest, East, and Midwest.
