Reading Buccaneers Announce 2008 Drum Majors

The defending Drum Corps Associates world champion Reading Buccaneers Drum & Bugle Corps today announced that the trio of Josh Decker, Chuck Jacobs and Charlie DiCarne will provide leadership to the corps on the field and off for the 2008 season.

Lead drum major Josh Decker, 30, returns to the Buccaneers for his eighth consecutive season on the podium. A resident of Mount Joy, Pennsylvania, Decker holds Bachelor of Science in Music Education and Master of Music in Music Education degrees, with concentrations in saxophone and conducting, from West Chester University.

He is currently on the music faculty at Conestoga Valley High School in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, where he is Director of Bands in addition to teaching a multitude of music courses. Decker was a member of the West Chester University marching band for four years, serving as drum major in 1998 and 1999. He played mellophone for the Westshoremen in 1996 and 1997, and has been a fixture in the Buccaneers organization since 2001.

Well-known in the all-age drum corps activity for his incomparable conducting skills, Decker brings a steady and inspiring leadership style to the corps. “I have always enjoyed being a representative of the corps and its history and ideals,” said Decker. “The opportunity to stand in front of such a fine ensemble of people who adhere to an amazing ethos of personal respect and pride in what they do and perform has always been a great joy of mine.”

Chuck Jacobs, 35, of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, has been a member of the Buccaneers’ tuba section since 2005. A 1994 graduate of the University of Miami, Jacobs is a science teacher at Abington High School in Abington, Pennsylvania. He holds a Master’s degree in science education from Florida International University. Jacobs is also a visual and brass teacher for the Plymouth-Whitemarsh (PA) High School marching band. He spent six years in the University of Miami marching band and was drum major for three years. In 2006 and 2007, Jacobs was the Buccaneers horn sergeant.

“I’ve loved my experience as a member of the Reading Buccaneers and I’m looking forward to this opportunity to develop my music skills further,” said Jacobs. “I’m excited to be able to contribute behind the scenes to help make this organization the best it can be. And it’s an honor to serve alongside Josh Decker. I’ll be learning from the best.”

Charlie DiCarne, 22, of Horsham, Pennsylvania, graduated in 2007 from Mansfield University with a Bachelor of Science degree in music education, with a saxophone concentration. He is an instructor in the Lower Moreland School District and also serves as Assistant Band Director at Hatboro-Horsham High School. His marching experience includes stints as drum major at both Hatboro-Horsham High School and Mansfield University. “I’ve always wanted to be part of a world-class drum corps and I’m happy to be part of the Buccaneers organization,” said DiCarne. “I’m looking forward to a great learning and growing experience and having a lot of fun with the Bucs. It’s been great so far.”

“The drum corps is once again in great hands with Josh, Chuck and Charlie,” said corps director James C. Gruber. “The combination of his incredible conducting skills and the gifts he brings to the corps off the podium makes Josh Decker one of the best in the business. We’re fortunate to have him back with us this year and look forward to watching Chuck and Charlie grow under Josh’s expert leadership. We also thank Nigel Jeffrey and Diane Koenig for their years of service to the corps.”

The 2008 Buccaneers will present an ambitious and entertaining program, entitled The Pursuit of Joy. The program will feature Johann Pachelbel’s Canon in D, David Holsinger’s Abram’s Pursuit, Nessun Dorma, from Turandot, by Giacomo Puccini and Ludwig van Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 in D Minor (“Ode to Joy”). The corps begins its world championship defense in Wildwood, New Jersey on Saturday, June 21. Fans can get a sneak preview of the corps at the 4th Annual Spring Preview on Saturday, May 10 at Twin Valley High School, Elverson, Pennsylvania. Stay tuned for details and visit the corps’ web site at www.readingbuccaneers.org.

Founded in 1957, the Buccaneers are a non-profit, education-oriented musical organization, dedicated to providing life-altering experiences to its members through education, enrichment, entertainment and excellence. 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, 2006 and 2007 all three undefeated championship seasons.

The Buccaneers are sponsored in part by the Roy A. Master American Legion Post 217, Topton, Pennsylvania

For more information, visit www.readingbuccaneers.org.