This is the text, out of the blue (Bloo?), if you will, which started my unexpected journey to joining the Bluecoats Alumni Corps in 2022. Instead of journeying with 12 dwarves and a wizard , I would find myself back on the field with 427 and 9/9 (two members were pregnant) people who would adopt me into their family. It was 30 years after my rookie season with the Glassmen, 31 years after I tried it for Bluecoats but missing the cut, but I felt the years (and a few pounds) melt away as we put together an incredible show.
The summer of 2022 was literally life changing for me. Not only did I perform with Bloo Alumni, I also found myself in the middle of a job hunt which would lead to my current position with World Synergy. World Synergy was very accommodating with me as I would spend a week away from the job for the alumni corps, less than a month after starting. Not only did they let me take the time, they advanced me PTO time so I wouldn’t have any financial issues from taking the time off. I’ve appreciated that gesture very much in the time since.
It’s almost time for the new season to start, and I’m excited to see and hear what the activity has for us, but I’m also happy to look back at my most recent drum corps experience and smile as I think about what we accomplished.
WOW Kevin!!! That’s so awesome that your new employer did that for you!!! I was trying to figure out a way how I, too, could join the Bluecoats Alumni Corps and march on the field one last time. However, living in Phoenix, AZ made it quite challenging. I was able to go to DCI Championships last year and witness the Bloo Alumni Corps in person and it made me feel even more regretful that I didn’t somehow finagle a way to get myself in it. It was a SPECTACULAR performance!!!
I wish you were able to do it, as well! There were only one or two other Glassmen alumni who hadn’t marched Bluecoats as well who were part of the alumni corps, so I really appreciated the familiar faces I could find. Fortunately, I had performed with Rhythm in BLUE in 2018 and 2019, so I knew those members of the alumni corps, plus there were a couple Empire Statesmen who had also marched Bloo and were in the alumni corps.
Would have been there with you, brother; had I not already dropped a grand or so on the tix to WATCH that performance. Doing the same thing again this year and looking forward to the Troopers Alumni gig. Tim German are you aware of this one, still might not be too late to jump in? They’ve opened this one up to anyone who marched, anywhere.
Jeff, I considered doing Troopers Legacy Corps, but I can’t take another week of work since we’re going on vacation next week. Tim, you want to represent us with the Troop?
Nooo!!! I had no idea that Troopers were doing this!! Jeffrey Crawford, this news makes me a little mad because a person, that I’ve gotten to know since moving back to Phoenix and this is a person who I consider to be a very good friend, MARCHED with The Troopers and has not said one word about it to me!!! 🧐 I’m gonna have to have a chat with him!!!
Anyway, thanks for the info Jeff!
TIM’S ON FIRE!
I was behind Kevin in the baritone arc every practice as a tuba player – I can tell you as an eye witness he brought his absolute best and was professional and hard working for every set – he certainly impressed this bluecoat alumni
Thank you very much, Scott. I brought my best because you and the rest of the alumni corps deserved nothing less.
It has been an honor to March with Kevin through this alumni experience and through the times we have had with him in RIB. Kevin is the epitome of what it means to be a Bluecoat and we love him and as far as I am concerned his BLOOO family.
Kevin, you always stand out to me as an example of the values which make the Bluecoats so special. It is MY honor to march with you and call you a Bloo Brother.