Tom Slade began his marching career in September 1971 with the Queen City Cadets, a local Cincinnati drum and bugle corps, remaining with the organization until it disbanded in 1977. In 1979, he co-founded the Pride of Cincinnati Drum & Bugle Corps as a charter member.

Following the dissolution of the Pride of Cincinnati in 1984, Tom co-founded Cincinnati Tradition, an all-age corps. He served as the director of corps operations for thirty-eight years until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Under his leadership, Cincinnati Tradition initially operated primarily as a parade corps and performed in exhibition at Drum Corps International (DCI) events within the Ohio Tri-State area, making its inaugural DCI appearance at the Queen City Classic in 1986.

In 2009, Cincinnati Tradition debuted at the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) Championships, competing in the Mini Corps division. By 2010, the ensemble became an active competitive member of the DCA. Under Tom's direction, the corps achieved Class A finalist status in 2014 and 2015, and secured Class A World Championships in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Tom was honored with the DCA Director of the Year Award.

Following his retirement as director, he has continued his service as a member of the Board

Steve Masters' involvement in drum corps activity spans several decades. From 1968 to 1974, he performed with the Black Shields of Sparta Junior Corps, which included competing in the 1974 Drum Corps International (DCI) season as a member of the color guard. Between 1980 and 1999, he participated in Drum Corps Associates (DCA) with various ensembles, including the Ohio Brass Factory, Steel City Ambassadors, Westshoremen, Syracuse Brigadiers, and Racine Kilties. Additionally, he marched with Cincinnati Tradition in 1985 and 1986, and he is a lifetime member of the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

His instructional and support roles include serving on the percussion staff for the Cincinnati Glory Junior Corps in 1997 and 1998, and the University of Cincinnati Bearcats Marching Band from 1994 to 2011. He is an honorary member of Kappa Kappa Psi and Tau Beta Sigma. He served as a consultant for the Cincinnati Tradition all-age corps in 2010 and as a support staff member from 2011 to 2024. As a performer, he received the DCA Showmanship Award in 1990 with the Steel City Ambassadors front ensemble and again in 1991 with the Westshoremen, with whom he won a DCA World Championship in 1996.

Tom Slade began his marching career in September 1971 with the Queen City Cadets, a local Cincinnati drum and bugle corps, remaining with the organization until it disbanded in 1977. In 1979, he co-founded the Pride of Cincinnati Drum & Bugle Corps as a charter member.

Following the dissolution of the Pride of Cincinnati in 1984, Tom co-founded Cincinnati Tradition, an all-age corps. He served as the director of corps operations for thirty-eight years until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Under his leadership, Cincinnati Tradition initially operated primarily as a parade corps and performed in exhibition at Drum Corps International (DCI) events within the Ohio Tri-State area, making its inaugural DCI appearance at the Queen City Classic in 1986.

In 2009, Cincinnati Tradition debuted at the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) Championships, competing in the Mini Corps division. By 2010, the ensemble became an active competitive member of the DCA. Under Tom's direction, the corps achieved Class A finalist status in 2014 and 2015, and secured Class A World Championships in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Tom was honored with the DCA Director of the Year Award.

Following his retirement as director, he has continued his service as a member of the Board

Tom Slade began his marching career in September 1971 with the Queen City Cadets, a local Cincinnati drum and bugle corps, remaining with the organization until it disbanded in 1977. In 1979, he co-founded the Pride of Cincinnati Drum & Bugle Corps as a charter member.

Following the dissolution of the Pride of Cincinnati in 1984, Tom co-founded Cincinnati Tradition, an all-age corps. He served as the director of corps operations for thirty-eight years until his retirement at the conclusion of the 2022 season. Under his leadership, Cincinnati Tradition initially operated primarily as a parade corps and performed in exhibition at Drum Corps International (DCI) events within the Ohio Tri-State area, making its inaugural DCI appearance at the Queen City Classic in 1986.

In 2009, Cincinnati Tradition debuted at the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) Championships, competing in the Mini Corps division. By 2010, the ensemble became an active competitive member of the DCA. Under Tom's direction, the corps achieved Class A finalist status in 2014 and 2015, and secured Class A World Championships in 2016 and 2017. Additionally, Tom was honored with the DCA Director of the Year Award.

Following his retirement as director, he has continued his service as a member of the Board