Williamsport, PA
July 29, 2023
World Class 1. Buccaneers 87.650 2. Caballeros 86.050
Open Class 1. White Sabers 79.500 2. Fusion Core 78.200
A Class 1. Skyliners 68.850
DCI 1. Raiders 69.700
Atlanta, GA
July 28, 2023
World Class 1. Blue Devils 94.325 2. Carolina Crown 92.400 3. Boston Crusaders 92.050 4. Bluecoats 91.975 5. Phantom Regiment 89.275 6. The Cadets 88.925 7. The Cavaliers 88.100 8. Troopers 85.725 9. Blue Knights 82.400 10. Pacific Crest 81.475 11. Spirit of Atlanta 79.850 12. Madison Scouts 79.800 13. Music City 79.250 Open: 1. Heat Wave 60.550 All Age Class 1. Atlanta CV 77.050
Bellbrook, OH
July 29, 2023
Open Class 1. Spartans 81.550 2. Gold 79.750 3. Southwind 76.350 4. Columbians 74.700 5. Les Stentors 62.700 All Age Class 1. Rogues Hollow Regiment 74.250 2. Columbus Saints 65.350
Murfreesboro, TN
July 28, 2023
1. Blue Devils 92.900 2. Boston Crusaders 92.050 3. Carolina Crown 91.700 4. Phantom Regiment 88.700 5. The Cadets 88.300 6. Blue Stars 85.950 7. Music City 77.150 Bluecoats Exhibition
Trussville, AL
July 28, 2023
1. The Cavaliers 87.200 2. Colts 85.350 2. Troopers 85.350 4. Crossmen 81.900 5. Pacific Crest 81.750 6. Blue Knights 81.700 7. Spirit of Atlanta 79.650 8. Seattle Cascades 69.700
(more…)After its founding in 1972, the Bluecoats more or less fit into the traditional mold of a drum corps, with matching uniforms and precision marching in unison at parades. But over the past several decades, the group has evolved into a drum and bugle corps known for pushing the limits of creativity and competing internationally.
“Creatively, drum corps is certainly a niche thing,” said Mike Scott, CEO of the Bluecoats. “Everyone knows about football, especially in Ohio. And everyone knows about marching band. But then this thing is like marching band on steroids.”
Vivid costumes and elaborately designed sets visually complement the multi-layered sounds of drums and brass as the 165 members take the field.
Members of the Bluecoats range in ages from 16-21. They join from states across the country, with several regional members as well. The overall makeup of the corps breaks down to about 80 brass performers, 30-40 color guard performers and 40-50 percussion players.
Sebastian Martinez of Mississippi plays the center snare drum – the focal listening point of the entire ensemble. Martinez is in his fifth and final year as a Bluecoat. At 21 years old, he’s aging out of the corps.
“I was just really eager to get into this system, so I just continued to audition,” Martinez said. “2019 was the first year that I made it, and I’ve just been here ever since. I just haven’t wanted to go anywhere else. It’s always been the dream to end up here.”
Every summer, the group piles into a fleet of passenger buses and embarks on an 8,000-mile, cross-country tour, competing in Drum Corps International, the “major league of drum corps,” according to Scott.
In recent years, the Bluecoats have achieved a great amount of competitive success, most notably having won the Drum Corps International world championship in 2016. But there’s something additional that keeps the Bluecoats at the top of their class: breaking creative boundaries.
“We’ve been called the ‘mad scientists’ of drum corps before,” Scott said. “Trying to find ways that might surprise an audience, trying to find ways that are creatively interesting to us and really giving our performers an opportunity to express their individuality.”
During the offseason, a creative team is busy writing music, designing costumes, building the sets and working on the choreography.
“Amongst that team, there’s Tony winners and Emmy winners,” Scott said. “And really it’s all just to be creating something that these kids are going to love to perform in front of hundreds of thousands of people every summer.”
The Bluecoats perform in Canton August 7 and then a few days later compete in the Drum Corps International World Championships in Indianapolis.
Hattiesburg, MS
July 26, 2023
1. Blue Devils 93.100 2. Boston Crusaders 92.100 3. Phantom Regiment 87.850 4. Blue Stars 85.450 5. Madison Scouts 80.200
Monroe, LA
July 26, 2023
1. Mandarins 88.000 2. The Cadets 87.950 3. Troopers 83.700 4. Blue Knights 80.800 5. The Academy 77.500 6. Music City 76.350 7. Genesis 73.250
Syracuse, NY
July 26, 2023
World Class 1. Jersey Surf 74.900 Open Class 1. Spartans 81.450 2. Gold 79.750 3. Southwind 76.550 4. Raiders 64.200 5. Les Stentors 62.100 International Class 1. Calgary Stampede Showband 75.400