Shortly after winning the 2018 Drum Corps International World Championship and receiving the Dr. Bernard Baggs Leadership Award, Santa Clara Vanguard (SCV) corps director and director of programs Shaun Gallant accepted a new job as executive director for Blue Devils (BD) Performing Arts, SCV’s cross-town rival. Gallant transitioned to the new position in September.
While difficult to leave everything he’d built at Vanguard, Gallant says that the opportunity was the right choice for him. “It’s an honor,” Gallant says. “It’s a huge step in my career.”
As executive director at BD Performing Arts, his new position has a wider scope—from education to fundraising and more—compared to his former role at Vanguard Music and Performing Arts.
According to Gallant, his goal on this new journey is simple: “Helping [the Blue Devils] do what they do—and do it better.”
Gallant also states that Vanguard has given him overwhelming support since he was first offered the job with the Blue Devils, despite the rivalry.
“It’s not about the competition; it’s more about the humans that are involved in the process [and] making really good humans,” Gallant says.
