DCI Finals week is usually the most exciting part of tour. The emotions are running high for everyone. This week, we’re reminiscing about stories from the past, both as a performer and as a staff member. We also announce the winner of our Best Bluecoats Ballad contest and we answer a few questions that were submitted on our Bloobrass Instagram page. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson, and Josh Gall. Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. Today is our brass tape from the 2014 DCI Finals in Indianapolis, IN. The brass judge was Jeff Harper. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. Today is our brass tape from the 2016 DCI Semifinals in Indianapolis, IN. The brass judge was Paul McGarr. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. Today is our brass tape from the 2018 DCI Prelims in Indianapolis, IN. The brass judge was Albert Lo. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2017 DCI Eastern Classic in Allentown, PA. The brass judge was Paul McGarr. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats...

What’s it like to be a drum major in DCI? We discuss the audition process, the day to day role, and much more with 3 former drum majors of the Bluecoats. This episode was originally broadcast as a webinar during the DCI Summer of Learning sponsored by Marching Arts Education. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Willie Veenstra, Peyton Grunzke, and David Davenport. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/balladfinals Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Marching Arts...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2015 DCI Masters of the Summer Music Games in Murfreesboro, TN. The brass judge was Wayne Dillon. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2019 DCI Southwestern Championships show in San Antonio, TX. The brass judge was Dennis Argul. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter:...

What’s up with Bloo? The answer is…A LOT! In this episode, hear about all of the things that the Bluecoats have been up to. Fundraising, Bingo, Auctions, Bonus Content, Webinars, our Best Bluecoats Ballad Contest, and more! Catch up on the latest with your favorite drum corps. Episode includes Bob Chreste. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad3 Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2018 Drums Across the Smokies show in Knoxville, TN. The brass judge was Levi Chavis. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2016 CrownBEAT show in Lexington, SC. The brass judge was Jeff Harper. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook:...

This week we dive into the world of brass adjudication in DCI with a former DCI judge. We’ll discuss what it’s like from both the judge’s perspective, as well as from the staff side. We share a few funny critique stories along the way and give kudos to some of the great performances over the years. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson & Monte Mast. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad2b Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. This week is our brass tape from the 2019 DCI Innovations in Brass show in Pittsburgh, PA. The brass judge was Chris Marra. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter:...

2020 SUMMER BONUS EPISODE! This is the first of many bonus episodes on what would’ve been the 2020 summer DCI tour. Each week this summer, we’ll release a past Bluecoats brass judge tape from a show in the same city we would’ve been at if we were on tour. First up is our brass tape from the 2018 DCI Premiere show in Detroit, MI. The brass judge was Albert Lo. Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield:...

BLACK. LIVES. MATTER. In this episode, we discuss what the DCI experience has been like, both as a marching member and a staff member, while being black. We must be willing to address these issues, so that we can improve not only our organization, but DCI as a whole. We have work to do. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Ricardo Brown, Bryen Warfield, and Richard Alvarado. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad2a Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond Design...

In this episode, we’ll continue to discuss some of the results of the seeding round for our Best Bluecoats Ballad Contest. We’ll breakdown the bloophbari & tuba brackets and discuss our thoughts on some of the matchups, as well as talk about any unique stories about the corps during those years. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson, Dave MacKinnon, and Doug Thrower. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad1b Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond...

In this episode, we’re going to discuss some of the results of the seeding round for our Best Bluecoats Ballad Contest. We’ll breakdown the trumpet & mellophone brackets and discuss our thoughts on some of the matchups, as well as talk about any unique stories about the corps during those years. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson, Dave MacKinnon, and Doug Thrower. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad1a Best Bluecoats Ballad Bracket: bluecoats.com/podcast Hammond...

We recently finished our first Bluecoats Camp in the Cloud and we’ve got a few members of the 2020 brass line to discuss their experience in making this year’s line as well as what they thought about our first virtual camp. We also introduce our new contest to determine the best Bluecoats ballad! Episode includes Bob Chreste, Kendall McNelly, Finley Muela, and Akorede Akinola. Best Bluecoats Ballad Voting: bluco.at/ballad Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield:...

Relationships are one of the most important aspects in our life. In this episode we discuss the great relationships between some of the best brass educators in DCI. We’ve got the brass caption heads from the top 3 brass lines of 2019 (Carolina Crown, Bluecoats, and The Cavaliers). There’s a common thread that connects us and many other caption heads in DCI. We also discuss how things were going for the 2020 season for each of us, as well as plans for content in the coming months, and how...

While we’re all at home, it’s important for musicians to maintain their playing ability. In this episode we discuss the importance of creating a plan and ideas to continue to improve individually as well as virtual ensemble ideas. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Kris Hammond, and Kevin Fenske. Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com The Shield: bluecoats.com/theshield Brass Resources: Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook: facebook.com/bluecoats...

The world has been rocked by the coronavirus pandemic. One result of this is the cancellation of the 2020 DCI summer tour. This unprecedented, but necessary move, has created an emotional rollercoaster for many involved in the drum corps activity. In this bonus episode, we discuss the impacts of the cancellation on both the activity, as well as the Bluecoats specifically. We will discuss its effect on many facets of our organization, including the administration, the designers, the staff, and...

In this episode, we discuss some traditional approaches to intonation, as well as our approach at the Bluecoats, BMT. There are positives and negatives to all different temperaments, however, we believe ours is easier to teach, while still creating a great brass ensemble sound. No matter which temperament you choose, each student must start with the ability to play each note in tune. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson & Bob Higgins. Hammond Design Mouthpieces:...

In this episode, we dig into the first part of our daily warmup routine. “BSB” or Breathe, Sing, Buzz is an extremely important part of finding our sound each day at the Bluecoats. We offer several suggestions of exercises and tips to use in your individual practice or with your own music program. Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson, Patrick Geren & Kristen Eck. Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats...

In our first episode, we introduce the primary teaching staff of the Bluecoats brass as well as take a look at how we set up the brass line and a little insight to the 2020 season! Episode includes Bob Chreste, Derek Gipson, and Joni Perez. Hammond Design Mouthpieces: karlhammonddesign.com Instagram: @Bluecoats or @bloobrass Twitter: @Bluecoats Facebook: facebook.com/bluecoats Web: bluecoats.com Questions or Suggestions: [email protected] The Brass Podcast is produced by Bob...