PERCUSSION
Performance History:
Blue Devils Drum & Bell Corps, Blue Devils Drum Corps – 1957-1974 – Snare Drum
Instructional History:
Blue Devils Drum Corps – 1974-1981 – Percussion Arranger and Head of Staff
Administration History:
Blue Devils C – 1985-2008 – Director
Blue Devils B – 2004-2022 – Director
Special Achievements:
DCI World Championships 1976, 1977, 1979
DCI High Percussion Awards 1976, 1977
DCI Open Class Director of the Year 2008, 2010, 2012
Rick Odello has been immersed in the drum corps activity since early childhood as part of the Blue
Devils organization which was founded by his parents Tony and Ann Odello. The Blue Devils began
as a drum and bell corps in 1957 and evolved into a competitive drum and bugle corps by 1971 with
Rick there from the very beginning of its competitive journey.
Upon aging out in 1974 Rick assumed multiple key roles with the Blue Devils. In the formative years
of the competitive corps he served as Percussion Arranger and Head of Staff, helping to develop
some of the most respected drum lines in DCI history. His iconic 1976 “Channel One Suite” program
set new standards in jazz interpretation for marching percussion. His hands-on teaching style and
innovative instructional methods were praised by corps alumni and staff alike.
During his tenure as percussion leader and instructor, the Blue Devils achieved their first three DCI
World Championship titles and multiple High Percussion honors, establishing the corps’ national
prominence. Following a period away from the organization to start his family, Rick returned to the
Blue Devils in the 1980’s to assume the role of Director of the C Corps and later the B Corps,
leading these feeder programs to Championships in DCI’s Open Class, while supporting the
development of younger performers and maintaining the Blue Devils strong pipeline of talent.
Rick Odello’s influence and dedication were formally recognized in 2008 when he was inducted into
the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame-a testament to his lifelong service to the activity. Additionally, he has been honored multiple times as the DCI Open Class Director of the Year, reflecting the respect he has earned from his peers across the drum corps community. His efforts with Blue Devils Percussion set a gold standard by which all subsequent arrangers and staffs could be measured.
For over six decades Rick Odello has represented the positive values of our activity
and has served as an impeccable role model for thousands of students who crossed his path.
