From a Blue Stars press release: Gary Swanson has been named the Blue Stars' 2004 program coordinator. Swanson is best known for his 13 years of dedication to the pageantry programs at Irondale High School in Minnesota. He is the principal designer and program coordinator for the Irondale winter color guard -- a group that was the 2002 WGI Scholastic Open world champions and a 2003 WGI Scholastic World finalist. Swanson is also the color guard caption head for the Irondale marching band and the visual coordinator for the Irondale winter drum line. "The Blue Stars are having a very successful off season in terms of recruiting and staff development," said executive director Greg Struve. "Gary Swanson is another key piece of the equation as we build the Blue Stars into a top-tier, Division II drum and bugle corps." "I'm excited to join the Blue Stars organization," said Swanson. "I've always admired the corps in the past, and am thrilled with the opportunity to develop a program that takes advantage of the corps' increased membership." In addition to his work with Irondale, Swanson has been:
  • A design consultant to several marching band and color guard programs
  • A WGI advisory board member
  • A North Star Color Guard Circuit executive board member
  • 1998 and 1999 color guard caption head for the Minnesota Brass, Inc. drum and bugle corps
  • 1992 Super Bowl event choreographer Swanson received degree from the University of Minnesota in apparel design and is currently working in the Twin Cities area as a freelance designer.