October 05, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce that our entire caption head team will be returning to the Buccaneers in 2020:

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JOHNNY TRUJILLO - Battery Arranger and Percussion Caption Head;

GRANT BUTTERS - Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator and Sound Designer;

VICTOR CUMMINGS - Brass Caption Head;

NICHOLAS TAVARES - Color Guard Caption Head/Designer;

SHANNON HALL - Color Guard Lead Choreographer;

DAVE CARAVELLA - Visual Caption Head

September 28, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce that our entire design and instructional leadership team will be returning to the Buccaneers in 2020:

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CHRISTOPHER FEIST-Staff Coordinator

BOBBY JONES-Program Coordinator and Visual Designer

MARK THURSTON-Ensemble Coordinator and Program Consultant

MARK LORTZ-Brass Arranger

GINO CIPRIANI-Brass Program and Music Consultant

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Once again, the Buccaneers will be led by some of the best our activity has to offer. We can’t wait to get started!

June 22, 2019

1. 74.50 BUCCANEERS (ALL CAPTIONS)
2. 66.80 White Sabers 
3. 63.95 Bushwackers 
4. 51.55 Columbus Saints

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Next up for the Balance in Blue:

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THE BUCCANEER CLASSIC
Saturday, July 6
Hempfield High School
Landisville, PA

Don’t miss it!
For ticket information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org/theclassic

February 27, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps and Twin Valley H.S. Band will present their 2019 “Spring Preview” indoor concert on Saturday, May 11, 7:00 p.m. at Twin Valley High School, Elverson, PA. As always, the show will bring a host of exciting active and alumni corps to the stage.

- Banner Brass - the Buccaneers’ newest ensemble performing pop and classical hits
before the show.

- The Belvederes, Schuylkill Haven, PA – an original 1970’s DCI corps, the Belvederes
Alumni recreate traditional and patriotic selections.

- Reilly Raiders, Willow Grove, PA – maintaining a busy concert and parade schedule,
and bringing their renowned repertoire to the stage.

- Blessed Sacrament/Golden Knights Alumni, Nutley, NJ – Performing their classics
with that distinctive GK sound.

- Skyliner Alumni, Hasbrouck Heights, NJ – continuing their well-known traditions, they
put the New York City “f” in “forte!”

- Reading Buccaneer Alumni, Reading, PA – recreating championship excitement from
the 1960’s, ‘70’s and ‘80’s.

- Buccaneers, Reading, PA – one of DCA’s most celebrated and awarded ensembles
premieres their 2018 repertoire “Dans Ma Chambre.”

Spring Preview tickets are available in advance at $17.00 (reserved center section) and $15.00
(general admission), and may be ordered online, or by mailing a
check and self-addressed stamped envelope to:

Spring Preview
200 Columbia Ave.
Reading, PA 19605

Please make your check payable to: Spring Preview. Ticket orders received after May 1 will
be held at Will Call. Tickets will also be available at the door.

A turkey dinner (with vegetarian option) will be offered in the school cafeteria from 3:00-6:30.
Dinners may be purchased at the show.

For other information about the show, please contact Bill Powers, Spring Preview Chairman,
by emailing bucspringpreview@gmail.com.

Join us for an exciting spring evening of drum corps on May 11!

February 02, 2019

Carolina Crown and Reading Buccaneers have entered into a unique new Strategic Alliance within the drum corps community.

“We’re extremely excited to announce and looking forward to the potential opportunities that lie ahead by creating this alliance with Buccaneers,” said Jim Coates, CEO/Executive Director of Carolina Crown, Inc.  “If the proven histories of both organizations - Crown being one of the leading performing groups and past champion of Drum Corps International and Buccaneers being the perennial champions as members of Drum Corps Associates - is any inclination of future success, the alliance is destined for continued exciting achievements.”

The alliance, promoted by Crown as a Program Offering, creates one of the most unique ventures of its kind between two leading performing arts organizations.  The purpose of the alliance is to collaborate and provide support for each other in the fulfillment of their missions, all while maintaining organizational autonomy between the groups. This venture has the exciting potential for joint activities and increased membership opportunities and benefits.  Additionally, Crown auditionees and alumni have the potential to hone their skills and/or continue their post DCI age-out marching career with a program that offers the level of intensity of a championship program with a reduced time commitment.

“We are thrilled to be announcing this Strategic Alliance with Carolina Crown, and we are very excited about what it means for the Buccaneers,” said Corps Director Louis D. Tierno.  “From an organizational perspective, the effect of this agreement will be to significantly streamline and simplify our instrument acquisition, usage and budgeting needs. But most important, it helps us in our efforts to provide an unparalleled member experience by ensuring that the Buccaneers will always be using the best possible instruments.  Partnering with the fine people at Carolina Crown makes it even better.”

According to Buccaneers Business Manager Richard Strang, the agreement is a natural fit for two organizations with aligned priorities.  “Carolina Crown is dedicated to developing lifelong excellence in young people through a performing arts education experience that stresses integrity, commitment, respect and excellence,” he said.  “And for more than six decades, the Reading Buccaneers have provided our members with life-altering experiences rooted in education, enrichment, entertainment and excellence. Jim Coates and his team have been a pleasure to work with, and we look forward to deepening and strengthening our relationship moving forward.”

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 individual performers.  The Buccaneers are charter members of Drum Corps Associates and won the inaugural DCA World Championships in 1965, and have won 15 additional titles since, the most of any corps. For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org and http://www.carolinacrown.org

November 25, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the exceptional team designers and educators that will lead the color guard program for the Buccaneers’ 2019 season:

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NICHOLAS TAVARES - Caption Head and Designer;
SHANNON HALL - Lead Choreographer and Designer;
TYLER LEYNES - Choreographer and Instructor;
MITCH MEUSSNER - Weapons Instructor, and
JOHN TAYLOR - Flag Instructor

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Stay tuned for additional announcements about the exceptional team we are assembling for the upcoming season.

November 11, 2018

BUCCANEERS ANNOUNCE 2018 HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is pleased to announce that the following four individuals will be inducted into the Buccaneers Hall of Fame at the annual banquet to be held on November 24:

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Julia Confer
Mark Lortz
Mike Mcmullen
Richard G Stoner

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Each of these individuals has made a lasting impact on the Buccaneers over its 61-year history.

Please join us in congratulating Julia, Mark, Mike and Dick on their well-deserved induction!

November 06, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the exceptional team of veteran designers and educators that will lead the award-winning visual program for the Buccaneers’ 2019 season:

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BOBBY JONES - Program Coordinator and Visual Designer;
DAVE CARAVELLA - Visual Caption Head;
SHAWN LEE - Visual Instructor;
LYDIA BARANOSKI - Visual Instructor;
KATIE McFADDEN - Visual Instructor;
MIKE McNEILL - Visual Instructor; and
LOU ZANINE - Visual Instructor

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Stay tuned for additional announcements about the exceptional team we are assembling for the upcoming season.

October 29, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the exceptional team of designers and educators that will lead the award-winning percussion program for the Buccaneers’ 2019 season:

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JOHNNY TRUJILLO - Battery Arranger & Percussion Caption Head;
GRANT BUTTERS - Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator & Sound Designer;
BRANDON ISHAM - Snare Technician;
SEAN CLENDENING - Tenor Technician;
ERIC “MAILBOX” MAILLOUX - Bass Technician;
BRIANNA DOUGHERTY - Cymbal Technician;
CHRISTINA BILLONE - Front Ensemble Technician;
MATT BRACCIANTE - Front Ensemble Technician;
STEVEN HAND - Front Ensemble Technician; and
CHAD RILEY - Front Ensemble Technician.

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Stay tuned for additional announcements about the exceptional team we are assembling for the upcoming season.

October 25, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce the exceptional team of designers and educators that will lead the award-winning Brass program for the Buccaneers’ 2019 season:

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MARK LORTZ - Brass Arranger;
VICTOR CUMMINGS - Brass Caption Head;
PAUL CULLEN - Brass Educator;
BRAND DAVIS - Brass Educator;
AARON SOBEL - Brass Educator;
DANIEL HIGGINS - Brass Educator; and
GINO CIPRIANI - Brass Program and Music Consultant

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Stay tuned for additional announcements about the exceptional team we are assembling for the upcoming season.

October 05, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce that our entire instructional and design leadership team will be returning to the Buccaneers for the 2019 season:

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CHRISTOPHER FEIST - Staff Coordinator;
BOBBY JONES - Program Coordinator and Visual Designer;
MARK THURSTON - Ensemble Coordinator and Program Consultant;
MARK LORTZ - Brass Arranger; and
GINO CIPRIANI - Brass Program and Music Consultant

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Stay tuned for additional announcements about the exceptional team we are assembling for the upcoming season.

October 01, 2018

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to announce that the following outstanding caption heads will be returning to the Buccaneers for the 2019 season:

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JOHNNY TRUJILLO – Battery Arranger and Percussion Caption Head;

VICTOR CUMMINGS – Brass Caption Head;

DAVE CARAVELLA – Visual Caption Head;

NICK TAVARES – Color Guard Caption Head/Designer; and

SHANNON HALL – Color Guard Lead Choreographer

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In addition, the Buccaneers are thrilled to welcome GRANT BUTTERS to the team as Front Ensemble Arranger/Coordinator and Sound Designer. We appreciate Grant’s contributions to our 2018 production and look forward to his work in this role. We extend our sincere and heartfelt thanks to MIKE LALLI for his many years of outstanding contributions to the Buccaneers, and we wish him well in his new endeavors.