About the Reading Buccaneers
The Reading Buccaneers Drum and Bugle Corps is a not-for-profit, education oriented, musical organization dedicated to providing its members with a unique performing experience. The Buccaneers are a charter member of the Drum Corps Associates (DCA) and compete annually for the DCA Championship. Additionally, the Bucs perform in various venues including, parades, exhibitions, concerts, and field shows.
The Reading Buccaneers is an organization rich in history and tradition. The corps was organized in 1957, as a parade corps by “age-outs” of various local junior corps and veterans of WWII and Korea. The corps soon embarked upon field competitions in the 1958 season. The Buccaneers rose to the top quickly, winning three consecutive VFW Championships in 1960, 1961, and 1962. When DCA was formed, the Bucs continued their success, becoming the first DCA Champions in 1965. Since that time, the Buccaneers have won the DCA title 18 more times to become the most decorated corps in DCA history. In the last several years the Buccaneers enjoyed unprecedented competitive success, completing 6 consecutive undefeated championship seasons from 2005 through 2010 and taking the DCA championship 15 out of the last 17 years.
While it is true that the Buccaneers have had their share of glory in competition over the years, we are most proud of the thousands of people who have shared in the drum and bugle corps experience as part of the Buccaneer family. Many members have gone on to rewarding careers in music as educators, teachers, performers, and composers. Most have gone on with their lives and careers remembering fondly and speaking proudly of their days as a member of the Reading Buccaneers.
Membership extends far beyond the Reading and Berks County areas. Members travel from throughout Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, New Jersey, New York, and Massachusetts to be a part of the Reading Buccaneers. As an all-age corps, the Buccaneers rehearse primarily on the weekends with the summer months being the busiest for competitions and performances. This schedule allows members to maintain family, work and school commitments while still being involved in a world-class competitive musical organization. Performing well in this activity requires many hours of dedicated practice, however the feeling of accomplishment at the end a season-long journey is well worth the effort.
Tremendous effort and the support of many is required to assemble a world-class competitive drum and bugle corps. The Reading Buccaneers wish to thank the thousands of devoted fans and supporters who continue to follow us thought the years and of course, the support of our members, past and present, and their families remains our greatest resource. Without these people, we would not be the family known as the Reading Buccaneers.