D - Reading Buccaneer Alumni

The Anchor
Volume 1 #2 Fall 2015
A publication of the Reading Buccaneer Alumni Association
From the Crow’s Nest by Rob Danner, B.A.A. V.P.
Welcome to The Anchor, the Buccaneer Alumni Association publication used to transmit the happenings and
history of the Buccaneer family. We hope to use this as a conduit to review and record the history of this great
drum & bugle corps and to unite past and present members of the Buccaneer family. Let’s take a quick look back
at past issues (available by request) and the stories that were provided by Jack Wells. The appearance of them
sparked Jack into giving me a call and I have to say, this man - Jack Wells amazes me. We have spoken on
several occasions and he has sent me a heap of information from his own collection for use in future issues of the
Anchor. We will be tapping into that resource in future articles for sure. It is this kind of communication that we
want to encourage. Not only will getting these stories down in writing and sharing photographic memories, it also
brings the family together - even if only in the spirit of the written communication. This issue will primarily
focus on the 2015 drum & bugle corps season of both the Buccaneers and the Buccaneer Alumni. We are all
proud to say that both had a fairly successful year. The initial article recapping the Bucs Championship season
was written by Phil Minnich.
The 2015 Reading Buccaneer Season in Review by Phil Minnich
On June 20th, 2015, several of the top Drum Corps Associates all-age drum and bugle corps met in Wildwood,
New Jersey to kick off the 2015 competitive DCA season. Premiering their 2015 production, 'Twist-it,' the
Reading Buccaneers competed for the first time in the 2015 season against the Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion
Core, the Connecticut Hurricanes, and the Bushwackers. On the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, the Buccaneers
showed that they would once again be a force to be reckoned with in DCA, earning a score of 77.40 and taking
home the victory in the first show of the season.
From the warm, sunny beaches of Wildwood, New Jersey to the chilly, rainy fields of Connecticut, Mother Nature
proved that she would make her presence known throughout the 2015 season. On June 27th, the Buccaneers
traveled to Stratford, Connecticut to compete once more against the Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion Core, the
Connecticut Hurricanes, and the Bushwackers, and for the first time in the 2015 season, the White Sabers as well.
The Buccaneers proved their mettle against the elements, rehearsing and performing in rain, wind, and
unseasonable cold throughout the day to earn a score of 80.50, taking home their second straight win of the 2015
season, and affirming once again that when it rains, Buccaneers simply get wet...and they get better.
The third competitive weekend of the season saw the Bucs return to New Jersey. On July 11th, the Bucs traveled
to Clifton, a rehearsal site known for its rather dusty and bumpy field, its proximity to the Hot Grille restaurant,
and a stadium that had recently received an AstroTurf makeover, much to the corps' enjoyment. This was the
biggest show of the season so far, with the Bucs facing off once more against the Hawthorne Caballeros, Fusion
Core, the Connecticut Hurricanes, the Bushwackers, and for the first time in the 2015 season, Cadets2 and the
Long Island Sunrisers. In stark contrast to the weather in Stratford, the weather in Clifton was quite hot and
sunny. But the heat would not stop the Reading Buccaneers, as they rehearsed and performed like true champions,
earning a score of 82.60 for their third straight victory of the 2015 season.
July 25th saw the Buccaneers' first competition in Pennsylvania, their home show in Downingtown, the
Downingtown Classic. Competing against Cadets2, the White Sabers, the Connecticut Hurricanes, the
Bushwackers, and for the first time in 2015, the New York Skyliners, the Bucs showed once again that though
they be fierce competitors, they are also very gracious hosts. In front of a large and very enthusiastic home show
crowd, the Bucs had their best show yet of the 2015 season, earning a score of 86.45 and proving that whether
they be at home or away, the Reading Buccaneers can always put on an energetic, lively performance for their
fans.
On August 15th, fresh off of a full rehearsal weekend, the Bucs again found themselves in Pennsylvania, this time
in Scranton. As every weekend from this point onwards would be a competition weekend, the Bucs knew that
their time together was, unfortunately, drawing to an end. However, against strong competition from the
Hawthorne Caballeros, Cadets2, Fusion Core, the White Sabers, the Bushwackers, and the New York Skyliners,
the Bucs showed that they were ready to push all the way to Finals, earning an 89.20 for their fifth straight victory
of the 2015 season.
August 22nd saw the Bucs return to Clifton for the second time in the 2015 season, for what was at that point the
largest competition yet. The Bucs faced stiff competition from eight of DCA's best: the Hawthorne Caballeros,
Cadets2, Fusion Core, the White Sabers, the Long Island Sunrisers, the Connecticut Hurricanes, the Bushwackers,
and the New York Skyliners. Despite this intense competition, the Buccaneers did not let up, earning a score of
91.70 and taking home their sixth straight victory of 2015.
August 29th was the weekend before Finals, which also happened to be Big Sounds in Motion, the Bucs' second
and final home show of the season. However, as the Bucs had already proven throughout the season, having the
home field advantage was not something that they needed to execute a great performance for their fans - though it
certainly helped! Competing against Cadets2, Fusion Core, the White Sabers, the Bushwackers, and for the first
time in 2015, Carolina Gold, the Bucs had an exhilarating performance for their home crowd, earning a 94.20 and
establishing themselves as the top seeded corps heading into DCA Finals weekend.
The 5th and 6th of September was DCA Finals weekend in Rochester, New York, the last competitive weekend of
the season. This was the first and only time that all of DCA would gather in one place, and the Bucs knew that
they would have to give their best performances yet this season in order to hold off their many challengers. Seeing
Minnesota Brass, Kidsgrove Scouts, and Atlanta CV for the first time in 2015, the Bucs earned a 97.23 on
Preliminary night, the penultimate show of the season, establishing themselves as the favorites to bring home the
gold the following evening in DCA Finals competition. And then, finally, it all came down to one night, and one
performance.
September 6th, 2015. DCA Finals. The last show of the season, and the final time that the Reading Buccaneers
would have the privilege of performing 'Twist-it' for their fans and for each other. Leaving absolutely no question
as to their determination, heart, and skill, the Bucs gave 'Twist-it' the send-off it deserved, earning a score of
97.58 and holding off a hard-charging Cadets2 to cap off yet another undefeated season by winning the Open
Class championship for a staggering 10th time in the past 11 seasons. However, as the veterans knew and the
rookies soon learned, the value of the championship medal paled in comparison to the value of the dog tag that
each and every one of the members received. With the 2015 season in the books, the Bucs departed that same
night for Reading, once again bringing home the title, but more importantly, a camaraderie that will never be
forgotten.
On behalf of the competing corps we would like to thank all the alumni that followed us throughout the season!
We hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks to Chip Bachman – snare drummer for the Friends and Family day photo. Chip and his companion Lisa
actually took hundreds of photos that day and I am very thankful he and Lisa shared them with us.
2015 Buccaneer Alumni Rewind
And then there is the Alumni Drum & Bugle Corps, an activity within the operations of the Buccaneer Alumni
Association. While the officers of the Alumni Association seek to encourage a richer camaraderie among former
members of the Reading Buccaneers overall through more “non-marching” activities, 2015 found a lot going on
in the drum & bugle corps corner. An exciting music meeting where discussions centered around a replacement
piece for the crowd pleasing En Sueno, something with some kick that could feature some of our “screechers” we
were led to the sounds of Maynard Ferguson’s rendition of “Conquistador.” We were heading into 2015 with a
return of the 2014 Drum Instructor and his following and had fairly strong horn line. The working guard was up
for some new spinning and we were looking for some returning familiar faces in the Honor Guard. The repertoire
for 2015 consisted of Burke’s Law/ From this Moment On, Maria {1965}, A Color presentation medley of The
Longest Day Theme/ This Is My Country/ The 1812 Overture {1970}, Fantasy {1979}, Conquistador and Beyond
the Sea {The 60’s} Life was good!
By the time the winter rehearsals arrived, our drum instructor met us with our own little twist. He could no longer
commit to the Alumni drum line due to family constraints and we were suddenly looking for a new drum
instructor. The search led us to Chris Arnold, a former member of the Reading Buccaneers Championship drum
line. With Chris as our new drum instructor on board, we could sail on.
Early in the season’s committee meetings we had made a commitment to sponsor our own indoor show, similar to
the Buccaneer’s “Big Sounds” at the Rajah. Not wanting to compete with success of the Spring Preview at Twin
Valley High School, we set our sights on tapping into the heritage of Schuylkill Counties love of Drum Corps and
joined together with the Blue Mountain School District’s Music Association and targeted April 25th for our 1st
Annual “Music in the Mountains” indoor show. Six Alumni drum & bugle corps answered the call: Archer Epler
Musketeers, Bracken Cavaliers, South Jersey Vagabonds, the local Schuylkill Haven Belvederes, Mighty St. Joe’s
and the Third Brigade Band, a local community band that has existed since 1879. We had a show! The big day
arrived and Third Brigade didn’t. April 25th was a busy day for the Alumni. Annually we have performed at the
Schaeffer’s Harley Davidson Motorcylce Shop’s MDA Block Party, a fund raiser for that cause and this day was
no different. The corps performed a repertoire of patriotic songs at the events “flag raising ceremony” at noon and
then headed to Blue Mountain High School for the big show. It was now coming to light that Third Brigade was a
no show – What to do? The Alumni shifted gears and decided to do a second set in their place. The same set of
songs played earlier in the day would stand in place of the Third Brigade in the first half of the show and the corps
scheduled performance would end the show that evening. A few bumps later, the show was over and we were
hearing congratulations from all the performing corps. We did what some insisted we couldn’t do…..
The rest of the year flew by with the concert at the Buccaneer’s Spring Preview and the ever popular Friends and
Family concert at Buc Field. Then came the summer parades in West Reading on Armed Forces Day,
Wyomissing Hills and Malvern over Memorial Day weekend, and Wyomissing on the Independence Day. At the
Bucs Downingtown Show, we presented select 6 marching members of the Buccaneers with checks from “Ned’s
Fund” to assist in their financial requirements. After our annual members picnic and meeting in Oley in August
the next event would be the home show of the Reading Buccaneers, who were finishing up their own successful
run at the DCA season. Excitement among the Alumni was building as we had been requested by the new
Buccaneer Director, Bill Snook to let them join us in playing the perennial favorite Buccaneer closer “Beyond
The Sea.” As we finished our concert set, the competing Buccaneers re-entered the field, lining up behind us and,
well, let those that were there judge the results. We loved it and are hoping for a repeat in 2016!
After the “Reading Big Sounds In Motion” show, everyone heads to Rochester, NY. This is as big of a weekend
for the Alumni as it is for the corps. Many of us head into town on Friday, filling the Buccaneer’s hotel and
The above scenes capture Buc Alumni activities such as rehearsals, the Friends & Family performance, Annual
Picnic & Meeting and the DCA Post-finals gathering. All good times, including long time Buccaneers and friends.
Friends & Family photo by Chip Bachman, all others by Rob Danner.
allowing the corps to stay at their practice site. Many do not realize the competing corps have an obligation to fill
a certain amount of hotel rooms over DCA weekend. The first event over the past few years has been a Friday
night feast at a local steak house. When we are complete with the meal, we rock the house by letting them have a
blast of the corps song. This usually generates an interesting response from the rest of the patrons, always
rewarding. In 2014 it turned out another alumni corps was also dining there and they serenaded us back with their
corps song. The next morning Martie Heatherington musters her swabbies for stuffing the “Booty Bags” You
know what we mean if you have marched in the corps over the last 20 years. After both the Prelims and the Finals
there is a gathering at the hotel after the show, these have been pretty rowdy over the years since “The Kids” have
given us plenty to cheer and party about. We often introduce corps member’s parents to the Alumni “ways” at
these gatherings and after finals we are generally joined by some of the champs themselves. Much “Grub and
Grog” has been consumed at these events.
Finally the 2015 “season” closed with four more parades: Temple, Topton, Mohnton and Millersville. The
proceeds from the final parade (generally our best paying job) goes into a special fund we call the “Ned Fund” in
honor of great Buccaneer Ned Baldinger and is used to support Buccaneers in need of assistance with dues and
travel expenses. It seemed this year we had nearly perfect parade weather for all of them and all of those towns
provided good appreciative crowds and we left them knowing who we were. We may not be the biggest alumni
drum & bugle corps, but I sure think we’re the best. Don’t let us be selfish, come on out next year and join the
fun. You will be surprised…………
It is anticipated that The Anchor will be published at 4 times per year. That rate could increase if contributions of
photos and articles justify an increase. The purpose of The Anchor is to document and save the history of the
Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps with a focus on the people within this family. Stories and tales of those times
you wish to share with past and present members, memories and photos are welcome. Another anticipated article
will be to feature a member and hear about their activities not only in the drum corps world but out there in the
“real world” as well. Submission of articles and photos or general inquiries of material requirements can be made
to Rob Danner 3rd Sop / V.P. of the Buccaneer Alumni Association at rldrdg118@aol.com or Don Kline at
3.14ratedak@gmail.com The Anchor is delivered electronically to registered members of the Buccaneer Alumni
Association and their current mailing list. Printed copies are sent to those that are computer challenged. To be
included on the Alumni mailing list, simply Don or I an email noting such, or if you are one of us not so computer
friendly, a phone call will do to 484-599-0182. Below Parting Shot – from the summer of 1961 by J.J. Kaucher