Butler man named to drum corps hall of fame
After 50 years of dedication to drum and bugle corps organizations, a Butler man will be inducted into the Drum Corps International Hall of Fame in Indianapolis in August.
Bruno Zuccala is among three 2017 inductees who will join 123 others already honored for decades of passion and achievements with drum corps.
“It's just a big honor,” said Zuccala.
His journey began when he was 9 years old and enrolled in the General Butler Vagabonds.
“I was there a total of 13 years, marching, playing and teaching,” Zuccala said.
Out of this came a lifelong passion. Zuccala taught numerous groups after the Vagabonds and eventually landed a job with The Cavaliers Drum and Bugle Corps of Rosemont, Ill.
“Bruno contacted Cavaliers visual designer Steve Brubaker in the mid-1980s, requesting an opportunity to observe our process and volunteer for a few weeks in the summer to improve his teaching and judging skills,” said Jeff Fiedler, former Cavaliers director and 2005 DCI Hall of Fame inductee.
“We were so impressed with his knowledge, commentary and commitment to the craft that we asked him to join our visual staff the following year for as much of the summer as he had available, and the rest is history.”
He served with the Cavaliers for 27, years holding numerous positions including color guard captain, staff coordinator, assistant director and corps director.
He also worked with other corps including the General Butler Vagabonds, and was inducted into the Pennsylvania Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
Zuccala also excelled with academics, graduating from Slippery Rock University with a bachelor's degree in elementary education and a master's degree as a reading specialist. He also earned a master's degree in administration and supervision from Westminster College.
“Bruno has touched thousands in the DCI community with a gentle, yet constantly determined commitment to excellence, always coaching and encouraging with the demeanor of the consummate educator,” said former Cavaliers color guard member David Benoit.
“Bruno's thorough training and extensive experience as an educator made him an irreplaceable staff member. To DCI, he contributed a lifetime commitment to education.”
Zuccala said teaching the kids is what motivates him to be so involved.
“That's really what this is about: educating students,” he said. “It gives them a grasp of what real life is going to be like.”
Zuccala says drum and bugle corps teach students important life lessons about responsibility and teamwork.
“It teaches them to act as a team and react to different situations,” he said.
These days, Zuccala directs a winter guard at Slippery Rock University. He also consults with numerous groups nationally and around the world.
“I've consulted with the Spartans in Nashua, N.H.; the Boston Crusaders in Boston; the Benchers, an all-girl group in Kitchener, Canada. I also helped with a corps in Italy called Millenium. They were in Bergamo, Italy,” Zuccala said.
“I've taught in Japan and England and all around the world. I've learned young people are young people all over the place, and no matter the ethnic background, they need a good example in front of them.”
