March 29, 2020

It is with tremendous sadness and deep regret that the Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps officially announces that it has canceled the corps’ 2020 season as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The annual Buccaneers-sponsored events – the Spring Preview (May 9), The Buccaneer Classic (July 18) and Big Sounds in Motion (August 29) are also canceled.

The decision was very difficult, but under the circumstances we believe it was the only responsible one to make, for several important reasons: (1) first and foremost, the health and well-being of our members, staff, volunteers, and fans; (2) the tremendous logistical challenges around rehearsal space, venue availability, and travel, and ongoing and potentially protracted uncertainty with respect to them all; and (3) the financial health of the organization. 

The corps administration is working directly with our membership to address refunds for 2020 tuition paid.

We know that this decision is especially disappointing for our fantastic membership, which was making tremendous progress on a groundbreaking program – 2079 – and in the process creating lifelong memories and friendships.  We are proud of their work and know that the memories and friendships will remain long after the disappointment fades.  We are indebted to the best designers and instructors in the activity for their vision, creativity and passion.  And we are grateful for the legions of Buccaneers alumni and fans who sustain the corps with their time, talent and financial support.

We want to be clear that the cancellation of the 2020 season does not mean that the Buccaneers are not working.  To the contrary, we are hard at work planning for the corps’ 2021 voyage – our 64th – and doing everything possible to make it a smashing success.  To be sure, the loss of revenue from sponsored events and member tuition will create some unforeseen financial challenges that we will navigate.  We could not deliver on our mission of providing a world-class experience for our members without the generous support of our alumni and fans, and your ongoing support will sustain us through these challenging times.

We will see you on the field soon, and we can’t wait to entertain you again.

We’re all good men, yes we’re Buccaneers…

March 04, 2020

The Reading Buccaneers are proud to announce the 2020 Drum Majors Andrea Gwyn, Kirk Turner and Sandi Tait!

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Andrea has had a long and outstanding career with the Buccaneers, now celebrating her 14th year at the helm and 16th year at the podium overall! 

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Kirk is back for his 5th year as Assistant Drum Major, having served in the same capacity in 2010, 2012, 2015 and 2016.

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Sandi is new to the Buccaneers, having marched with the Hawthorne Caballeros for the past 6 years as a member of the guard and staff.  Welcome to the Buccaneers Sandi!

December 04, 2019

After meeting this evening, the administration is keen to incorporate our missed membership day activities into our next rehearsal.  With that in mind we have decided to cancel the rehearsal scheduled for Saturday December 14th and have a slightly modified Membership Day schedule on Sunday December 15th.  Doing this allows everyone the best opportunity to be a part of the kickoff activities for our 2020 voyage.  Registration on Sunday will begin at 10am with announcements beginning at 11am sharp.  A holiday lunch will be provided by our fantastic support staff from 2pm – 3pm, during which we will take our annual holiday photo.  Bring your best holiday attire!!   The day will conclude at 6pm.

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Please do your best to be prepared for the 15th by logging into Knack, paying your $50 registration fee, and printing the instructional packet for your section.  We are expecting a good turnout, so if you have an instrument available we ask that you please bring it with you for the first couple of camps.

Thank you all for your flexibility.

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We are anxious to see you all on the 15th!

November 09, 2019

The Buccaneers are pleased to announce that Matt Elizardo has been appointed to the Quartermaster role in the corps administration for the 2020 season.

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Matt’s time with corps began marching tuba for the 2013, 2017 and 2018 seasons while serving on support staff for the 2019 season. Wanting to expand his role with the Corps, Matt is excited to serve the Corps as their quartermaster for the 2020 season and help them continue their tradition of excellence both on and off the field!

November 09, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is proud to announce that the following individuals will be inducted into the Buccaneers Hall of Fame at the Buccaneers’ annual banquet on November 30:

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CHUCK JACOBS - Tuba player, Horn Sergeant, Drum Major, Tuba Instructor, Big Sounds in Motion Chairperson;

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JOHN SANDO - Baritone player in both Buccaneers and Buccaneer Alumni, Alumni Association Secretary, dedicated volunteer; and

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MARK THURSTON - Ensemble Director and Program Consultant, marching percussion innovator and living legend.

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Each of these individuals has made an indelible impact on the Buccaneers and represents the best of what being a Buccaneer is all about.

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Please join us in congratulating Chuck, John and Mark on their well-deserved recognition for their contributions to the legacy of the Reading Buccaneers!

November 08, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to introduce our 2020 percussion education team! Each of these outstanding educators brings an extensive resume of performance and teaching experience in the Buccaneers and the broader drum corps activity.

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JOHNNY TRUJILLO - Battery Arranger and Percussion Caption Head;

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

BRANDON ISHAM - Battery Consultant;

CHARLIE PARTRIDGE - Snare Drums;

SEAN CLENDENING - Tenor Drums;

ADAM BENNER - Bass Drums;

BRIANNA DOUGHERTY- Cymbals;

STEVEN HAND - Front Ensemble;

MATT BRACCIANTE - Front Ensemble; and

CHRISTINA BILLONE - Front Ensemble

October 19, 2019

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps is thrilled to introduce our 2020 visual education team! Each of these outstanding educators brings an extensive resume of performance and teaching experience in the Buccaneers and the broader drum corps activity.

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DAVE CARAVELLA - Visual Caption Head;

LYDIA BARANOSKI - Visual Instructor;

CHRISTOPHER HOUCK - Visual Instructor;

LOU ZANINE - Visual Instructor;

KATIE McFADDEN - Visual Instructor; and

MIKE McNEILL - Visual Instructor

October 15, 2019

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

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VICTOR CUMMINGS - Brass Caption Head;

BRAND DAVIS - Brass Instructor;

PAUL CULLEN - Brass Instructor;

AARON SOBEL - Brass Instructor;

DANIEL HIGGINS - Brass Instructor; and

GINO CIPRIANI - Brass Program and Music Consultant

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

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