Bluecoats
Canton, OH United States
Founded: 1972
World Class
CORPS Photos
The Bluecoats Drum and Bugle Corps is a World Class competitive junior drum and bugle corps based in Canton, Ohio.
In 1972, Canton police officers Babe Stearn and Ralph McCauley, the director and assistant director of the Canton Police Boys' Club, met with Canton businessman Art Drukenbrod to discuss forming a music program at the Boys' Club. Besides being a businessman, Mr. Drukenbrod was a musician who had played drums with many of Canton's big bands over the years. He was also a member of Canton's American Legion and VFW's national champion senior drum and bugle corps. He readily agreed to the idea of a youth musical group for the Canton Boys’ Club; he supplied the drum corps knowledge and instruction, with some help from his old drum corps buddies, while Stearn and McCauley provided the future musicians.
The young corps members chose the name "Bluecoats" in tribute to the police department's retired police officers and as recognition that they were a program of the Police Boys' Club. They made their drum corps debut in competition in 1974.
On the road, old surplus Army buses painted blue initially carried the corps throughout the country. Those outdated vehicles were gradually traded in for used school buses and then for air-conditioned motor coaches.
In the early days, meals were served from an abandoned U-Haul trailer pulled by parents' cars; the trailer sometimes held fresh eggs, purchased economically when volunteers agreed to collect them themselves. The old U-Haul eventually became a van and then an old travel trailer, before the corps eventualy acquired an eighteen-wheeled semi-trailer kitchen.
Today, as the corps travels around the country during its summer tour, it moves in a convoy composed of several buses to carry the members and staff, a semi-trailer equipment truck, the aforementioned cook truck, a souvenir van and trailer, and several support vehicles.
The evolution of the Bluecoats was greatly enhanced when in 1984 another Canton businessman, Ted Swaldo, took the reins of the organization to prevent the corps being shut down. Swaldo's management abilities and enthusiasm provided the catalyst that not only propelled the Bluecoats into national recognition as a competitive unit, but it also served as a model for other youth organizations throughout the country.
The first corps from Ohio to make the DCI finals (in 1987), the Bluecoats in those days found themselves in high acclaim around the country for their crowd-pleasing big band jazz. As the Bluecoats continued to rise in prominence, the applause from the crowd grew into a roar of "Bloooooo!" as the corps enters the field and at the conclusion of their musical program.
Founded in and supported by the people of the "Hall of Fame City," Canton, Ohio, the Bluecoats home show has become a part of the induction festivities for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, which is located in Canton. The corps has failed to achieve DCI Finals only once since 1987, just missing with a 13th place finish in 1999
In 2010, the corps medaled for the first time at the DCI World Championships, taking the third place bronze with their production "Metropolis: The Future Is Now." They followed that in 2014, making corps history again by taking the 2nd place silver medal for their wildly popular show, "TILT." In 2015, their production entitled "Kinetic Noise," once more took home the bronze.
At the 2016 DCI World Championships, the Bluecoats "Down Side Up" program won 1st place in World Class Finals, with the corps becoming only the tenth to become DCI Champions since the competition began in 1972. The show earned the corps' highest DCI score of 97.65 and won both the General Effect and Music captions.
For 2016, the Bluecoats abandoned their traditional uniforms in favor of a more informal costume designed with the show's near-constant motion in mind. The brass and percussion wore white and the color guard yellow, both with a swirling, sequined blue accent stripe running from the left hand to the shoulder, across the chest, and down the right leg. Those 2016 Bluecoats also became the first corps to win the DCI title while wearing no hats, helmets, shakos, or any other headgear.
[Bluecoats; Drum Corps International; A History of Drum & Bugle Corps, Vol. 2]
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1974 1 scores
Highest Score 34.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 1974 U.S. Open Class A and All Girl Prelim Marion OH placed 30 with a score of 34.600
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1975 1 scores
Highest Score 46.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 1975 U.S. Open - Class A and All-Girl Prelims Marion OH placed 25 with a score of 46.750
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1976 2 scores
Highest Score 68.700
Final show in DCX Archives July 18, 1976 Golden Triangle Championship Kitchner ONT Canada placed 3 with a score of 68.700
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1977 7 scores
Highest Score 70.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1977 American Legion National-Prelims Denver CO placed 18 with a score of 67.700
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1978 3 scores
Highest Score 68.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1978 DCI World Championships - Prelims Boulder CO placed 28 with a score of 68.500
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1980 5 scores
Highest Score 52.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1980 DCI World Championships Prelims Birmingham AL placed 38 with a score of 52.050
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1981 10 scores
Highest Score 61.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 21, 1981 DCI World Championships Prelims Montreal QUE Canada placed 31 with a score of 59.600
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1982 9 scores
Highest Score 71.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1982 DCI World Championships Prelims Montreal QUE Canada placed 33 with a score of 56.250
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1984 12 scores
Highest Score 69.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1984 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Atlanta GA placed 16 with a score of 66.600
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1985 17 scores
Highest Score 70.200
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1985 DCI World Championships Quarter Finals Madison WI placed 15 with a score of 70.200
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1986 25 scores
Highest Score 83.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1986 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Madison WI placed 15 with a score of 80.300
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1987 33 scores
Highest Score 89.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1987 DCI World Championships Madison WI placed 11 with a score of 85.700
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1988 37 scores
Highest Score 89.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1988 DCI World Championships Kansas City MO placed 11 with a score of 86.700
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1989 32 scores
Highest Score 90.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 19, 1989 DCI World Championships Kansas City MO placed 8 with a score of 90.300
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1990 38 scores
Highest Score 90.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 18, 1990 DCI World Championships Buffalo NY placed 8 with a score of 89.200
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1991 36 scores
Highest Score 87.000
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1991 DCI World Championships Dallas TX placed 11 with a score of 84.400
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1992 36 scores
Highest Score 85.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1992 DCI World Championships Madison WI placed 11 with a score of 84.600
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1993 35 scores
Highest Score 88.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 21, 1993 DCI World Championships Jackson MS placed 9 with a score of 87.200
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1994 30 scores
Highest Score 84.300
Final show in DCX Archives August 20, 1994 DCI World Championships Foxboro MA placed 9 with a score of 84.300
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1995 26 scores
Highest Score 89.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 1995 DCI World Championships Buffalo NY placed 7 with a score of 89.500
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1996 25 scores
Highest Score 88.100
Final show in DCX Archives August 17, 1996 DCI World Championships Orlando FL placed 7 with a score of 86.300
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1997 26 scores
Highest Score 88.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 16, 1997 DCI World Championships Orlando FL placed 11 with a score of 85.600
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1998 30 scores
Highest Score 88.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 15, 1998 DCI World Championships Orlando FL placed 10 with a score of 87.100
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1999 27 scores
Highest Score 84.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 1999 DCI World Championships Semi Finals Madison WI placed 13 with a score of 83.000
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2000 28 scores
Highest Score 85.600
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2000 DCI World Championships College Park MD placed 12 with a score of 84.400
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2001 31 scores
Highest Score 90.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2001 DCI Championships - DCI I Finals Buffalo NY placed 8 with a score of 90.750
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2002 30 scores
Highest Score 92.700
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2002 World Championships Finals Madison WI placed 7 with a score of 91.500
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2003 32 scores
Highest Score 90.750
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2003 DCI Championships - Div I Finals Orlando FL placed 7 with a score of 90.750
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2004 29 scores
Highest Score 92.125
Final show in DCX Archives August 7, 2004 DCI World Championships - Div I Finals Denver CO placed 6 with a score of 92.125
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2005 31 scores
Highest Score 94.450
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2005 DCI World Championships - Div I Finals Foxboro MA placed 5 with a score of 94.450
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2006 32 scores
Highest Score 93.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2006 DCI World Championships - Division I Finals Madison WI placed 4 with a score of 93.175
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2007 30 scores
Highest Score 94.050
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2007 DCI World Championships Finals Pasadena CA placed 7 with a score of 94.050
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2008 28 scores
Highest Score 93.175
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2008 World Class Finals Bloomington IN placed 6 with a score of 93.175
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2009 30 scores
Highest Score 93.550
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2009 DCI World Championships World Class Finals Indianapolis IN placed 6 with a score of 93.150
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2010 32 scores
Highest Score 96.500
Final show in DCX Archives August 14, 2010 World Class Finals Indianapolis IN placed 3 with a score of 96.400
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2011 34 scores
Highest Score 92.050
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2011 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 7 with a score of 92.050
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2012 32 scores
Highest Score 92.800
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2012 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 6 with a score of 92.550
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2013 32 scores
Highest Score 93.350
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2013 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 5 with a score of 93.350
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2014 33 scores
Highest Score 97.175
Final show in DCX Archives August 9, 2014 DCI World Championships World Class Finals Indianapolis IN placed 2 with a score of 97.175
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2015 32 scores
Highest Score 96.925
Final show in DCX Archives August 8, 2015 DCI World Championships World Class Finals Indianapolis IN placed 3 with a score of 96.925
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2016 32 scores
Highest Score 97.650
Final show in DCX Archives August 13, 2016 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 1 with a score of 97.650
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2017 33 scores
Highest Score 95.213
Final show in DCX Archives August 12, 2017 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN placed 5 with a score of 95.163
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2018 32 scores
Highest Score 96.950
Final show in DCX Archives August 11, 2018 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN United States placed 3 with a score of 96.950
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2019 31 scores
Highest Score 98.238
Final show in DCX Archives August 10, 2019 DCI World Championship Finals Indianapolis IN United States placed 2 with a score of 98.238
Members (121)
| Member Name | Section | Years Involved |
|---|---|---|
| (Cook) Schnuth, Diana | Mellophone | 1997 |
| Ackerman, Andrew | Baritone | 1992 |
| Aires, Christopher | Euphonium | 1992 to 1995 |
| Aires, Drew | Baritone | 1991 to 1992 |
| Arnold, Anthony | Euphonium | 1997 |
| Barlow, Frank | Soprano | 1993 |
| Beall, Andy | Percussion (cymbals) | 1997 |
| Bell, Mike | Bass Drum | 1994 to 1995 |
| Borgman, Scott | Mellophone | 1993 |
| Boswell, Bill | Front Ensemble | 2004 |
| Brandt, Mike | Colorguard | 2003 to 2004 |
| Burka, Scott | Contra | 2003 |
| Campbell, Roderic | Bassline | 2000 to 2001 |
| Carpathios, Michael | soprano bugle | 1989 |
| Carpenter, Mitzi | Color Guard | 1991 |
| Carpenter, Shawn | Visual Staff | 2000 |
| Carr, Brian | Baritone | 1995 |
| Carr, Brian | Soprano | 1996 to 1997 |
| Catley, Cracker or Jon From Texas | Baritone | 1998 |
| Chappell, James | Tenors | 1981 |
| Conigliaro, Joe | Snare | 2000 |
| Crandall, Dawn | Contra | 2000 |
| Davis, Meghan | Mellophone | 2004 to 2005 |
| Day, Scott | Tenors | 1986 to 1988 |
| Devins, Conor | Pit | 2010 |
| Doop, Paul | Staff | 1989 |
| Dugan, Ray | Snare | 1988 |
| Dulce, Julius | Euph | 2000 |
| Duncan, Tiffany | Colour Guard | 1992 to 1993 |
| Eckard, Rachel | Colorguard | 1981 to 1982 |
| Fanti, Ken | Snare/Color Guard | 1983 to 1988 |
| Fisk, Travis | Mellophone | 2002 |
| Fortier, James | Euphonium | 2013 |
| Fosdick, Mark | Contra | 2000 to 2003 |
| Foster, Austin | Euphonium | 2008 |
| Funk, Rick | Percussion-Xylophone | 1977 |
| Gamble, Jackie | Colour guard | 1996 |
| Garay, Chris | Snare | 2007 to 2008 |
| Garretson, Colby | Baritone | 2002 |
| George, Bill | Baritone | 2000 |
| Gill, Kathie | Mellophone | 1975 to 1977 |
| Glaze, Rob | Contra | 1987 |
| Gregorczyk, Drew | Mellophone; Horn Sergeant | 2004 to 2007 |
| Grimm, Salem | Euphonium | 1986 to 1987 |
| Groves, Chris | Baritone | 1995 |
| Haffner, Arnold | Bassline | 2004 to 2005 |
| Hageman, Eric (Cowboy Bob) | Soprano | 1997 |
| Hall, Brandon | Euphonium | 2001 to 2002 |
| Hanrahan, Michael | Baritone | 2008 to 2010 |
| Havard, Allison | color guard | 2002 to 2004 |
| Holmes, Greg | Color Guard | 2003 |
| Holmes, Greg | Color Guard | 2003 to 2005 |
| Hosier, Bart | Soprano | 2002 to 2003 |
| Koenig, John | Euphonium | 1996 |
| Kraynak, Ian | Front Ensemble/Drum Major | 2001 to 2003 |
| Lasley, Caryn | Color Guard | 2004 |
| Ledezma, Ismael | Trumpets | 2002 to 2005 |
| Ledezma, Ismael | Visual Staff | 2006 to 2008 |
| Lewis, Dan | Mellophone | 2001 |
| Lindsey, Holden | Baritone | 2005 |
| Little, Matt | Snare | 1996 |
| Macon, Alan | Euphonium | 2003 |
| McAllister, Christopher | Mellophone | 2004 |
| McConnell, Garry | snare | 1974 to 1977 |
| McPhee, Dave (ANTMAN) | Brass Staff | 1995 to 2004 |
| McPherson, Jay | Brass Instructor | 1989 to 1990 |
| Meenach, Brooke | Trumpet | 2002 |
| Melton, Jeffery | Snare | 1988 |
| Menter, Keith | Soprano | 1987 |
| Miller, Scott | Contra | 1992 |
| Nelson, Josh | Bass Drum | 1999 |
| Netting, Tom | soprano | 1975 |
| Norin, Tyler | Baritone/Euphonium | 2015 to 2019 |
| Nuhn, Benjamin | Trumpet | 2005 |
| Oleksa, Liz | Mellophone | 2000 |
| Peters (Williams), Sandra | ColorGuard and Flagline | 1973 to 1974; 1977 to 1980 |
| Peterson, Bryan | Contra | 2001 |
| Phillips, John | Percussion | 1982 to 1988 |
| Phillips, John | Percussion (Mostly Bass) | 1982 to 1988 |
| Prentice, David | Baritone | 1998 |
| Rathbun, Travis | Baritone | 2002 |
| Reese, Jennifer (Deloris) | Soprano | 1994 |
| Reese, Jennifer (Deloris) | Mello | 1995 to 1997 |
| Reese, Jennifer (Deloris) | Staff | 1998 |
| Roth, Sarah | Soprano | 2005 |
| SMOOT, AMY | Colorguard | 1999 |
| Sarver, Julie | Soprano | 2007 to 2008 |
| Saxe, Matt | Baritone | 2008 to 2010 |
| Shepherd, Ryan | Bassline | 1990 to 1991 |
| Shirey, Christine | Color Guard | 2003 to 2006 |
| Shirley, Chris | Baritone | 2004 |
| Shriver, Eric | Snare | 2004 to 2006 |
| Shumick, Christopher | Soprano | 2000 |
| Shumick, Christopher | Mellophone/Assistant Conductor | 2001 |
| Shumick, Christopher | Trumpet | 2002 |
| Sines, Allaina | Trumpet | 2005 |
| Smith, Dan | Euphonium | 1984 |
| Smith, Kim | cymbals (hopefully) | 2004 |
| Smith, Matthew | Front Ensemble | 2003 to 2005 |
| Snyder, Anna | Colorguard | 1999 to 2002 |
| Spreadbury, Roma | Guard | 1977 to 1978 |
| Stone, Kevin | Euphonium | 1993 |
| Sutter, Paul Flutters | Brass - All sections | 1978 to 1985 |
| Tanabe, Michelle | Snare | 2005 |
| Tessier, Joshua | Baritone | 2000 |
| Tome, Jessica | Percussion/Front Ensemble | 2001 to 2002 |
| Turbeville, Megan | Colorguard | 2003 to 2004 |
| Vielhaber, David | Bass Drum | 2002 to 2003 |
| Warfield, Bryen | Tuba | 2007 to 2010 |
| Webb, Darren | Contra | 1990 to 1991; 1993 |
| Webb, Marc | Baritone | 1988 to 1991 |
| Wells, Will | Contra | 2000 to 2002 |
| Wells, Will | Baritone | 2003 |
| Williams, Ryan | Contrabass | 2000 |
| Williams, Ryan | Contrabass | 2000 |
| Wilson, Kim | Colorguard | 2002 to 2004 |
| Wise, Jeff | Baritone | 1986; 1988 to 1992 |
| Wleczyk, Meghan | Bluecoats | 2006 to 2008 |
| Zielinski, Alex | Bass | 2001 |
| amrine, phil | mellophone | 2002 to 2003 |
| roth, sarah | Trumpet/ Sop | 2005 |
CORPS 54 items
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Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP1-Shield(RE-0.75x1.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP2-WhiteHelmet(RE-0.75x0.625)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP3-OhioSilver(RE-1.0x1.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP4-CuffLink(RE-0.5)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP5-OhioBugle(DST-1.0x0.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Donn Stroh
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP6-OvalBugle(DST-1.125x0.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Donn Stroh
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP7-PewterOval(DST-1.25x0.75)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Donn Stroh
Bluecoats,Canton,OH,LP8-LargeB(RE-0.875x1.0)J_U_S from the Richard Elmquist Collection Contributed by Richard Elmquist
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