Hello, everyone.
After many meetings and conversations among our staff and administration, all with the objective of
enabling a meaningful and enjoyable experience in a safe and efficient manner, the Reading Buccaneers
are pleased to share the following details with you about our 2021 virtual production, and we invite you to
be part of it!
There is a lot of detailed information that follows. Please read through it all carefully.
To register for the 2021 Virtual Season, visit or registration page:
https://buccaneers.knack.com/bucs#2021-virtual-ensemble-registration/.
And now, the details:
WHAT: The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps 2021 Virtual Production, featuring music from our
‘2079’ show.
WHY: For a variety of reasons which we have already shared, foremost among them being the safety
and well-being of our members, instructors, volunteers and fans, the Buccaneers will not be participating
in the DCA virtual season, which would require us to hold in-person rehearsals and performances. That
said, we believe strongly that it is important for the Buccaneers to restart its activities and put out a quality
virtual product. We believe we can do this with your participation and produce a product that we can all
be proud of. Doing this virtually allows many of you who have been out of the activity for a while to
participate again. This will also be a great springboard into what we hope and expect will be a ‘normal’
2022 season of drum corps.
WHO: First and foremost, anyone who was a member of the 2020 Buccaneers when we made the
decision to shut down because of COVID-19 will be given priority to join this virtual ensemble production
and any interested Buccaneers alumni will be welcomed to the ensemble.
HOW MANY: Our goal is to fill the ensemble with between 100 and 150 participants total, in brass,
percussion and color guard.
INSTRUMENTATION: Final numbers to be determined based on who is interested. However, everyone
must use their own instrument or have access to one. The corps’ instruments will not be available for
use.
HOW MUCH: The participation fee will be $150 per member.
HOW IT WORKS – THE PROCESS:
1. You complete the registration form and send in your participant fee
2. We will send you the following:
a. A member contract, which must be completed for you to be included in the production;
and
b. Music
3. Later, we will also send you:
a. MP3 files for you to use for practice and to play along with; and
b. A tutorial from SkyNine (the production company) with detailed instructions for how to
provide the best video and audio quality of your own performance

4. You will use the MP3 and your music to rehearse and become proficient with the music.
a. Keep an eye open for announcements related to virtual rehearsals.

b. For Color Guard members, you will receive a video from our team with the prepared work
as designed by our color guard staff.

5. At the designated time (see timeline below), we will send you information about how to submit
your video.
6. All videos (barring video and/or audio quality) will be used in the virtual production. How long
each member is on the screen will be determined by the music and the production (for example,
trumpets will probably not be on the screen when there is no trumpet part, and not all trumpets
may be shown on the screen simultaneously).
7. If your video and audio files are not used because of poor video or audio quality, we will advise
you and refund $100 of your payment. No refunds will be provided if your video is not used due to
late submission.
WHEN WILL THE PRODUCTION BE RELEASED: Exact date to be determined, but very likely late
August or early September. We are targeting the weekend we would otherwise be hosting Big Sounds in
Motion (August 27-29).
HOW LONG IS THE PRODUCTION: The production will include music from our ‘2079’ repertoire, and
will be approximately 6-8 minutes in duration.
TIMELINE:
At this time, there are no virtual rehearsals scheduled. We are coming up with a plan for those of you who
would like to some additional assistance or sectional rehearsal time.

o February 12 – April 15 – Music/Member Contracts are distributed
o On or about March 16 – MP3 and tutorial information on video submissions sent
o April 16 – May 31 – Video submissions accepted
o June 1 – July 15 – SkyNine assembles virtual production
o July 16 – July 31 – First draft review
o August 1 – August 15 – Edits
o August 16 – Final production review
o On or around August 28 – Release

At the time that COVID-19 forced us to suspend our activities, the 2020 Buccaneers were making
incredible progress with this awesome book of music. We’re excited to be ‘dusting it off’ and can’t wait to
dive in. We know you’re going to love it as much as we do, and we can’t wait to get started!
We appreciate your support for the Reading Buccaneers and we look forward to a memorable experience
in 2021, and great things ahead.