Bluecoats Alum Eric Brown

Alumni Profile: Jared Madison

JARED MADISON
Years Marched: 2002
Section: Mellophone 

Rode on Bus: "I don't remember. I only remember my seat partner Ted. Some stick of a baritone player that could eat his weight in food. The chuck truck crew called him Tapeworm Ted." 

Most Memorable Stadium/Show Site: Camp Randall Stadium - 2002 World Finals.
Favorite Blooo song: Autumn Leaves
Prized Bluecoat/Drum Corps possession: He still has his tour shirt from 2002. "I'll never get rid of it. I also have my member jacket."

Currently living in: Concord, New Hampshire
Current Family: Jared is in school, with no family of his own just yet. His mother, who came on tour and worked the camps when he auditioned still lives in Smiths Grove, Kentucky.

After leaving drum corps: Jared was only able to march one year because of college coming up. He spent three years at Eastern Kentucky University pursuing a music education degree. During his fourth year he switched to political science and graduated with a Bachelors in Political Science and a minor in music. After college he immediately began working at the National Headquarters of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia. After his time there he became a political consultant where he worked on campaigns in Kentucky, Virginia, and Missouri ranging from state house and senate elections to congressional and statewide elections. Currently he is pursuing a Juris Doctor from The University of New Hampshire School of Law. His areas of concentration are trademark and copyright litigation.

How the Bluecoats made a difference: “I'm not sure I'd be where I am today if it weren't for the Bluecoats organization. I only had the opportunity to march for one summer, but that summer instilled a work ethic in me that I still have today. I'm forever grateful to the organization for teaching me that anything worth having is worth working for.”

- originally posted April 8, 2012

Alumni Profile: Jaclyn Hild and Brandon Schick

Jaclyn Hild
Years Marched: 2009
Section: Color Guard
Rode on Bus: Rookie Bus
Most Memorable Stadium/Show Site: Centerville, Ohio.  Jaclyn's personal home show where she performed for friends and family.
Favorite Blooo song: Autumn Leaves
Prized Bluecoat/Drum Corps possession: Pennies, but she still has her my practice shoes!

Currently living in: Centerville, Ohio
Current Family: engaged to be married to Brandon Schick in December of 2012

After leaving drum corps: Jaclyn is teaching Reading and Mathematics at Centerville City Schools, which is near Dayton, Ohio.

Brandon Schick
Years Marched: 2008-09
Section: Mellophone
Rode on Bus: Rookie Bus
Most Memorable Stadium/Show Site: Finals at Bloomington, Indiana, in 2008
Favorite Blooo song: Autumn Leaves
Prized Bluecoat/Drum Corps possession: Pennies

Currently living in: West Chester, Ohio
Current Family: engaged to be married to Jaclyn Hild in December of 2012

After leaving drum corps: Brandon is finishing his last year at Miami University in Music Education and is currently student teaching at Mason City Schools, near Cincinnati, Ohio.

How the Bluecoats made a difference for them: Brandon and Jaclyn started dating two months before move-ins in 2009. Being away from home was a huge struggle for both, but it strengthened their relationship greatly from relying on one another. Both truly believe that performing with the Bluecoats set the foundation for a long-lasting relationship that has endured the trials and triumphs that come with life.

Originally published, April 5, 2012 

Bluecoats Alum John Phillips

Bluecoats Alum Jay Wise

Bluecoats Alum Laura Morrison

Alumni Profile: Aaron Beck

AARON BECK
Years Marched: 1995

Section: Cymbals

Rode on Bus: "It had to be the rookie bus"

Most Memorable Stadium/Show Site: Hershey, Pennsylvania. "It was the first show of 1995. I was very involved in marching band during high school and always dreamed of marching with a drum corps. I never figured I would get the chance since I played sax in high school. I still clearly remember retreat in Hershey as we lined up between the Cadets and Phantom and thinking WOW I really am doing this. It was a moment I will never forget"

Favorite Blooo song: Sing, Sing, Sing the closer in 1995. "Although I can't leave Autumn Leaves off the list."  

Bluecoat/Drum Corps possession: Drill book and his penny from 1995.
  
Currently living in: Las Vegas, Nevada 

Current Family: Married to wife, Risa and has two children, Hunter and Ella.

After leaving drum corps: Aaron spent 10 years touring with Broadway musicals working on the audio engineering side of the business. He has worked on big time productions such as Beauty and the Beast, Lion King and Mamma Mia. Seven years ago he joined the production team of Cirque du Soleil and now serves as the Assistant Head of Audio with Viva Elvis.  Aaron was featured in a news articles by ProSoundWeb in June of 2010 and on the Meyer Sound website (which provides the speakers).

How the Bluecoats made a difference: Aaron says that he “is lucky to have an awesome job but blessed to have the experience with the Bluecoats to get me where I am today.” He believes that touring with Broadway shows was easy after sleeping on the gym floors and that for these shows, “load in was nothing compared to morning hell week rehearsals. The summer I spent with The Bluecoats made me who I am today.”

- originally posted April 1, 2012