Reading Buccaneers - Navigator Award

Reading Buccaneers Navigator Award

2018 - Joel L. Miller

Established in 2017 to commemorate the corps’ 60th anniversary, the Buccaneers created the Navigator Award to help the corps honor individuals and organizations whose assistance and advocacy have had an indelible impact on the corps. “Just as a captain could not successfully pilot a ship without dedicated navigators, the Buccaneers could not deliver on our mission of providing an unparalleled member experience without the assistance of people and organizations whose support enables the corps to ‘find its way’ and steer through uncharted waters,” said Corps Director Louis D. Tierno. “We simply could not do what we do at a level worthy of the legacy of this fine organization without these navigators. This is our way to formally and publicly acknowledge their contributions and express our deep gratitude.”

Inducted into the Buccaneers Hall of Fame in 2005, Miller’s contributions to the success of the Buccaneers has gone above and beyond that expected of a Hall of Famer, and has been vast and varied. Among many things, Miller has been instrumental in designing and building out the corps’ equipment trucks, donating his time, talent and the materials necessary to help meet the corps’ needs. He has arranged for the use of office space for prop building and repair, and equipment storage. He has arrived at corps rehearsal sites, welding equipment in tow, to help repair equipment. And he has opened his home for years to provide housing to marching members.

“Joel Miller loves the Buccaneers, and he gives freely of his time, his talent and his resources to help us succeed,” said Tierno. “He asks for nothing in return, and his efforts have been vital in helping the Buccaneers be our best on the field and off. It’s appropriate that we presented this award to Joel at our annual banquet over Thanksgiving. We are truly thankful for all Joel does for the corps, and we are honored to recognize him.”

Founded in 1957, the mission of the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is to provide men and women of all ages a unique and enriching educational experience in the performing arts in which they develop as individuals and as performers. The Buccaneers were founding members of Drum Corps Associates and won the first-ever DCA World Championships in 1965 and won fifteen additional titles since.

2017 - Daniel M. Long

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps announced that it has established the Navigator Award, and also announced Twin Valley High School music educator Daniel M. Long as its initial recipient. Mr. Long was presented the award at the 13th Annual Spring Preview, an indoor concert hosted by the Buccaneers, on Saturday evening.

To commemorate the corps’ 60th anniversary, the Buccaneers created the Navigator Award to help the corps honor individuals and organizations whose assistance and advocacy have had an indelible impact on the corps. “Just as a captain could not successfully pilot a ship without dedicated navigators, the Buccaneers could not deliver on our mission of providing an unparalleled member experience without the assistance of people and organizations whose support enables the corps to ‘find its way’ and steer through uncharted waters,” said Corps Director Lou Tierno. “We simply could not do what we do at a level worthy of the legacy of this fine organization without these navigators. This is our way to formally and publicly acknowledge their contributions and express our deep gratitude.”

Since the fall of 2003, the Buccaneers have been privileged to have Twin Valley High School as its winter rehearsal facility. “Anyone who has been around the drum corps activity knows how vitally important consistent rehearsal space is, and this place is about as good as it gets,” said Tierno. “The Twin Valley School District has been a godsend to the Reading Buccaneers and we are so grateful for our partnership with the District.”

The Buccaneers honored Twin Valley High School music teacher and Buccaneer alumnus Daniel Long with the inaugural Navigator Award. “We are indebted to Dan Long for everything he has done to help us find our way since 2003,” said Tierno. “Dan’s son Daniel marched in the corps in 2003, and it was a special treat that both Dans marched together in 2004. Dan Long has been our champion, our advocate, and our dear friend. Without his steadfast support, we would not be what we are today. So, on behalf of the entire Buccaneers family, I thank Dan Long for everything he has done for the Buccaneers. His impact has been huge, and we are grateful.”