Q&A: What's It Like to Lead the Bluecoats Drum & Bugle Corps?

Being the leader of a world-class drum and bugle corps may not be easy, but it sure is fun.

Below, David Glasgow, who's been keeping the band in step for 10 seasons now, shares what his job is like, some of his proudest moments and what it's like to finally have "brick and mortar" roots in the community (they recently bought the Champion Event Center in North Canton).

North Canton Patch: How long have you been the Bluecoats director, and did you always see yourself in a position like this? 

David Glasgow: 2013 will be my 10th season as the Bluecoats' executive director, and my 16th with the organization as either a member or administrator. As a member of the corps, I didn't always think that being the director would be a possibility for me someday, but since I enjoyed the drum corps experience so much as a member, I always knew that I wanted to stay involved with the corps for as long as I could.

North Canton Patch: Can you share one of your proudest moments as director of the Bluecoats?

Glasgow: I've been fortunate to have a lot of proud moments as the director. We have experienced some outstanding competitive success over the years, but perhaps my proudest moment was when we purchased our building in North Canton. It meant that we had become a strong enough organization to be able to put down "brick and mortar" roots in the community.

North Canton Patch: Congrats on the 40th anniversary this past year! Maybe you can speak about that and what the reception was like from the community as the Bluecoats hosted events all over Northeast Ohio?

Glasgow: We received outstanding support from both our local community and our greater network of fans and alumni from around the world. Our events were very successful, and we can't wait to reach our 50th anniversary to do it all over again!

North Canton Patch: Really, how cool is it to travel all over the country with this big group of musicians? And where are some of the best places the Bluecoats have performed?

Glasgow: It's pretty cool. It's especially cool for the students that participate in the corps each year to travel to places in the US they've most likely never been before. We've travelled to each corner of the country, and some my favorite performance spots have been the Bristol, RI 4th of July Parade, Huntington Beach, CA 4th of July Parade, The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, Mile High Stadium in Denver, UNLV Stadium in Las Vegas, The Alamodome in San Antonio, The Citrus Bowl in Orlando, and Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis - the site of our World Championships each year.

North Canton Patch: Anything our readers would be surprised to know about you or the Bluecoats, or anything else you'd like to add?

Glasgow: Just that we are an amazing youth education organization that proudly represents North Canton and all of NE Ohio as we travel around the country each summer. Check out our upcoming competitions in Akron & Massillon this summer! I promise you will be blown away. More information about us can be found at our website - bluecoats.com.

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