Ruocco, Umberger Return To Buccaneers For 2007

The Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps announced today that the creative tandem of Carl Ruocco and Lee Umberger will be returning to the Buccaneers for the corps’ 2006-2007 season. Ruocco will reprise his role as Staff Coordinator and Umberger will serve as Program Coordinator and Brass Arranger, roles both filled for the Buccaneers’ undefeated world championship seasons in 2005 and 2006.

Ruocco is looking forward to his third year with the Buccaneers. “It’s wonderful to be a part of this organization. There’s an uncommon commitment to excellence and performance here. I’m excited to be involved with the Buccaneers’ 50th anniversary year, and to work with Lee again to put a great program and staff together. We’re assembling a top-notch staff and will make additional announcements soon,” said Ruocco.

“It’s a milestone year in the history of the Buccaneers, and I’m glad to be a part of it. I’m happy to be working with Carl again, and we’re working hard to put together another strong program that showcases each section of the corps,” said Umberger. “That approach has worked well for us in recent years and we will follow that strategy again this year.”

“Carl and Lee are a great team and, together, bring so much to our organization,” said Buccaneers Corps Director James C. Gruber. “We pride ourselves on putting a ‘total package’ on the field in which every caption is strong. Carl and Lee work very well together to make that happen. They did such a great job together in 2005 and 2006, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store for our 50th anniversary season in 2007. I’m certain our members and drum corps fans will be in for a treat this year.”

A resident of Mt. Laurel, New Jersey, Ruocco has enjoyed a long and influential career in both the drum corps and marching band activities. As a teacher and administrator, his drum corps resume includes service to Star of Indiana, the Crossmen, Jersey Surf, Spirit from Jacksonville State University and the Santa Clara Vanguard. He has been a long-time member of the New York Skyliners organization, and presently serves the Skyliners Alumni as its drum major. He has judged the Drum Corps International world championships three times and the Drum Corps Associates world championships twice.

Lee Umberger’s service to the Buccaneers began in 1997, when he joined the brass and design staff. In 2003 and 2004, he was the Bucs’ brass arranger and in 2005 added the role of Program Coordinator to his responsibilities. He has a music education degree from Lebanon Valley College and a master’s degree in music composition from West Chester University of Pennsylvania. He was band director at Eastern Lebanon County Middle and High Schools from 1991 to 1996 and middle school band director for the Governor Mifflin School District from 1996 to 2005. Currently, he is Associate Principal at the Governor Mifflin Intermediate School.

On Sunday, November, 26, 2006, the Buccaneers will host Membership Day 2007, at Twin Valley High School, Elverson, PA. Registration begins at 11:00. All persons interested in learning more about the Reading Buccaneers and being part of the 2007 50th Anniversary corps are invited to attend. Please visit www.readingbuccaneers.org for more information.

Founded in 1957, the Buccaneers are a non-profit, education-oriented musical organization. The Buccaneers are a charter member of Drum Corps Associates and won the first-ever DCA world championships in 1965. Additional titles followed in 1968, 1979, 1980 and, most recently, in 2005 and 2006, both undefeated championship seasons. In 2006-2007, the corps will celebrate its 50th anniversary. All Buccaneers alumni are encouraged to visit the corps’ web site to register to receive anniversary information.

The Buccaneers are sponsored in part by Behler-Hein American Legion Post 637, Hamburg, Pennsylvania, and Roy A. Master American Legion Post 217, Topton, Pennsylvania

For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org.