Connecticut - Fife & Drum Corps

Connecticut is home to deepest traditions of the fife and drum in America

In Colonial America the armed forces consisted mainly of citizen soldiers. These men would gather -- or muster – periodically to practice their skills. Each community usually had a fifer and a drummer to provide marching music for the local militia. During battle, fifes and drums signaled troop movement. At camp, the music provided entertainment for the soldiers.

Today’s fife and drum corps are still comprised local citizens dedicated to preserving the ancient art and music of the fife and drums. Musical selections are drawn from many sources, some predating 1800, and include marches, dances, and cheerful tunes. Popular selections include “Yankee Doodle,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” and “The Road to Boston.”

Uniforms worn by the fife and drum corps are a source of pride and distinction. Drummers and fifers had special status in the militia signalers and non-combatants; their uniforms usually were the reverse of the regiments’ colors. Some of today’s fife and drum corps wear clothing of the 18th century and others wear dress common of the American Civil War period and later.

Fife and Drum Corps perform in parades, reenactments, musters, encampments, and even at half-time shows. A muster is a gathering of several corps with a parade in the morning followed by individual performances by each participating corps. When all corps have performed, it is customary for some members of each corps to mass and play common fife and drum tunes.

Check the websites of the individual corps for information about their public appearances.

Connecticut

Connecticut is the heart of fife and drum corps activity in the United States and is home to The Company of Fifers and Drummers. The Company coordinates the activities of more than 150 traditional fife and drum corps throughout the United States, Canada, and parts of Europe. It is the largest organization of drum corps in the Western world. The small town of Deep River, Connecticut, has become the largest and most popular place for fife and drum corps musters. In the bicentennial year of 1976, 80 units from many different states as well as from Switzerland came to share music and camaraderie.

Lancraft Fife & Drum Corps
62 Clark Avenue
North Haven, CT
Phone: 203-453-2804

Continuously active since 1888 and competitive since 1907, the Corps has won 32 Connecticut State Championships. Individuals have won 22 fife, 27 snare drum, and 38 bass drum championships. Several snare drummers have won two world and four national titles. The Corps owns its own clubhouse and holds rehearsals every Thursday evening from 8-10 p.m. Visitors are welcome.Appearances in 2009:
Independence Day Parade, July, Madison, 11 a.m.
Mariner’s Muster, July 11, Enfield / Saybrook, 11 a.m.
Deep River Muster, July 18, Deep River, 11 a.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.
Old Sturbridge Village, September 12, Sturbridge, Massachusetts, 9:30 a.m.
Woodbury Tricentennial, September 20. Woodbury, 1 p.m.
Sudbury Muster, September 26, Sudbury, 12:15 p.m.

Marlborough Junior Fife & Drum Corps
Marlborough, CT
Phone: 860-295-0749

The Marlborough Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps is a junior corps made up of students between the ages of 8 and 18. It is dedicated to preserving the art of Ancient fifing and drumming. Marlborough is not a competitive corps but rather a muster corps, meaning that it performs for the love of ancient music and camaraderie of fellow musicians.

Marquis of Granby Jr. Fyfe and Drum Corp
Po Box 1776
Granby, CT  06035
Phone: 860-604-5070

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The Marquis of Granbury Fyfe and Drum Corp recreates the spirit of many brave and patriotic boys who contributed to their country’s fight for freedom. The Marquis of Granby has roots in the pre-revolutionary colonial militia sponsored by a titled Englishman, John Manners, who was titular head of a militia in the colonies before the American Revolution. It is one of a few corps whose drum major and flag linnve follow the Von Steuben manual of arms. The corps takes pride in authenticity.

Mattatuck Drum Band
Waterbury, CT

The Mattatuck Drum Band is the oldest fife and drum band in the United States with continuous membership since it was organized in 1767. It is a senior ancient band whose members seek to perpetuate the music, traditions and heritage of the founders of the State and Country. The Band was organized in Farmingbury Connecticut to provide martial music for the Farmingbury Parish Militia, The uniform worn by The Mattatuck Drum Band is an authentic replica of the Connecticut colonial private with a blue coat trimmed with red, large brass buttons, breeches and vest, tri-cornered hat, and black leather boots. Many of the instruments used by the band are over 100 years old. The band uses a drum beat of 90 beats per minute, a style of drumming that was introduced by Samuel Wilcox in 1830. Appearances in 2009:
Barnum Festival, June 28, Bridgeport, 11 a.m. Bristol Fourth of July Parade, July 4, Bristol, Rhode Island Ancient Mariners, July 11, Old Saybrook, 11 a.m. Deep River Muster, Deep River, July 18 Drummer's Call Sturbridge Village, September 12, Sturbridge, Massachusetts Columbus Day, October 11, East Haven

Milford Volunteers Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Fowler Memorial Building, 45 New Haven Avenue
Milford, CT
Phone: 203-783-1955

The Milford Volunteers Ancient Fife and Drum Corps began in 1951 as the West Main Street School Fife, Drum and Bugle Corps. In 1964 the Corps became Ancient and changed to the Revolutionary War-style clothing you see today. Uniforms of hunter green vests, white shirts, off white knickers, black buckled shoes and tricorn hats are fashioned after the clothing worn here during the Revolutionary War Era. Winter uniforms consist of hunter green rifle frocks, white pants and black leggins. Led by the 1st Milford Militia, the corps travels throught New England performing at various parades, musters and ceremonies. Directed by Pattie Deer and Majored by John D'Amico Jr., the corps is comprised of families dedicated to the perpetuation and preservation of the Ancient Art of Fifing and Drumming. The corps provides free music lessons, free use of uniforms and equipment at practice and performances, and friendship. Practice is 6-8 p.m. each Tuesday at the rear door of the Fowler Memorial Building, 45 New Haven Avenue, Milford. Information: Send e-mail to milfordvolunteers_sec@fifedrum.org. Performances in 2009:
Milford Volunteers Tattoo and Muster, June 26-27, Eisenhower Park, North Street, Milford
Company Concert, July 7, Company Building, Ivoryton, 7 p.m.
Deep river Ancient Muster, July 18, Deep River, 11 a.m.
Colchester Continentals Muster, July 25, Colchester, 11:30 a.m.
Nathan Hale Muster, July 26, Coventry, time TBD
VJ Day Parade, August 9, Moosup, time TBD
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.
Columbus Day Parade, New Haven, October 11

Moodus Drum & Fife Corps
Moodus, CT
Phone: 860-873-8527

Moodus Drum & Fife Corps was formed in 1821. Hezakiah Percival of Moodus received his diploma of rudimental drumming from Samuel Wilcox of Middletown Upper-House, now known as Cromwell, Connecticut, in 1821 and taught others this open-sticking type of drumming. For many years they played for town and county events without uniforms. Today, Moodus still plays the same Eli Brown drums purchased in the early 1800s and marches the same stately march all Middlesex County corps did in the beginning. Appearances in 2009:
Fourth of July Parade, July 4, Pittsfield, Massachusetts, 10 a.m.
Ancient Mariners Muster, July 11, Old Saybrook
Deep River Tattoo, July 17, Deep River, 7 p.m.
Deep River Ancient Muster, July 18, Deep River, parade steps off at 11 a.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.
Moodus Muster and Fife & Drum Parade, October 17, Old Grange Hall, Town Street, East Haddam, noon

Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes & Drums
P.O. Box 1776
Coventry, CT

The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums, has been officially recognized as the reactivated 19th Connecticut Regiment of Foot, Continental Line. Organized in 1965, the group now is comprised of four units: The Field Music (known as The Nathan Hale Ancient Fifes and Drums), Knowlton's Connecticut Rangers, Capt. Stephen Buckland's Artillery, and the Company of Artificers. The group participates regularly in a variety of events; parades, musters, re-enactments, demonstrations and concerts. The musicians are attired in the regimental uniform of Col. Charles Webb's 19th Connecticut Regiment of Foot in which unit Capt Nathan Hale served in 1776. The Color Guard carries the corps’s colores: the Cambridge flag of 1776, the flag of the Connecticut Colony, the gold regimental colors of Col. Webb's regiment, and the corps own colors derived from the Hale family coat-of-arms. Nathan Hale welcomes new members. the group holds practices Sunday afternoons from 3:45 to 5:15 p.m. at the Hawley Armory on the Storrs Campus, University of Connecticut.

Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Groton, CT

The Nutmeg Volunteer Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps is based in Groton, Connecticut and consistently performs award winning musical selections and marching techniques. Organized in 1948, the corps travels and performs extensively throughout New England and New York. New members are invited to any rehearsal, held Monday evenings from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at the Groton Elks Lodge #2163, 700 Shennecossett Road Groton.

Sailing Masters of 1812
P.O. Box 184
Essex, CT

The Sailing Masters of 1812 is an ancient fife and drum corps based in Essex. The Corps was founded in 1963 as the Essex Fife and Drum Corps to perpetuate the art of ancient fifing and drumming and to commemorate the role of Essex in the War of 1812. The ancestors of the Sailing Masters were the men who played with the Comstock Drum Corps, which was based in Ivorytonduring the latter part of the 19th century. Many of the current Corps’ drum beatings are the same as those played by the Comstock Corps.The Corps uniform is that of the Sailing Master, the third ranking officer on board the ship-of-the-line of the United States Navy during the 1810-1815 period. Appearances in 2009:
Windjammer Days Parade, June 24, Boothbay Harbor, Maine
Fourth of July Parade, July 4, Madison, 11 a.m.
Ancient Mariners Muster, July 11, Old Saybrook
Deep River Muster, July 18, Deep river, 11 a.m.
Nathan Hale Muster, July 26, Coventry, noon
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.
Labor Day Parade, September 7, Short Beach, 11 a.m.
Sudbury Muster, September 26, Sudbury, noon
Columbus Day Parade, October 11, East Haven, 11 a.m.
Moodus Muster, October 17, Moodus, noon

Sons of the Whiskey Rebellion Fife & Drum Corps of Connecticut

Phone: 203-259-7765

A uniquely uniformed fife and drum corps playing traditional Ancient music. The corps includes members with over 60 years active drum corps experience.

Stony Creek Fife & Drum Corps
Stony Creek, CT

Since its founding in 1886, the Corps has been continuously active in the civic life of the village of Stony Creek. Its first appearance in 1887 was a performance to dedicate the Soldiers Monument atop East Rock in New Haven, CT.

The Museum of Fife & Drum
62 North Main Street
Ivoryton, CT  06442
Phone: 860-767-2237

See Map

Connecticut is the heart of fife and drum corps activity and home of The Company of Fifers & Drummers, a nonprofit organization formed in 1965 to perpetuate the historical significance and folk traditions of fife and drum music and to foster the spirit of fellowship among fifers and drummers everywhere. Its roster lists corps, individuals, and institutional members all across the United States and in Europe.The Company owns and maintains The Museum of Fife & Drum at its headquarters in Ivoryton. Among the resources available to company members are a music library, archives, company store, and video library. The Music Committee regularly publishes and records fife and drum music. The Ancient Times is published quarterly by The Company to keep its members throughout the world informed on the activities of the Ancients.
Free concerts of fife and drum on preformed on Tuesdays from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. from July 8, 2008, to August 19, 2008. Different groups are scheduled throughout the summer to give audiences a brief taste of the history of America through fife and drum. Guests are encouraged to bring picnic suppers. The museum is open for one hour after the concert.

Totoket Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Branford / Torrington, CT
Phone: 860-526-9944

Totoket is the only all-female senior ancient fife and drum corps in the United States. Organized in 1967 and continuously active since.

Warehouse Point Junior Fifes & Drums
Warehouse, CT

The Warehouse Point Junior Fifes & Drums was formed in 1993 for the purpose of preserving the tradition of ancient fifing and drumming that has existed in the village of Warehouse Point since 1880. Families are extensively involved.

Warehouse Point Senior Fife & Drum Corps
Warehouse Point, CT

The original Warehouse Point Fife and Drum Corps was organized in 1880 and was made up of Civil War Veterans. The current corps was re-established in 1990 and its members come from Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Westbrook Drum Corps
Westbrook, CT
Phone: 860-399-6436

Since 1910, the Westbrook Drum Corps has appeared at parades, musters, historical pageants and other events in Connecticut, New England and beyond. Their uniform is in the continental style and includes the traditional regimental coat and three-cornered hat. Members play six-hole wooden fifes and rope-tension field drums that are handmade by local craftsmen. The corps is constantly expanding its Ancient-style repertory of historic, patriotic, and contemporary music. Information: 860-537-5502

Windsor Fife & Drum Corps
Windsor, CT

The Windsor Fife & Drum Corps is an organization designed primarily for young people to preserve the music and history of the 18th century. The corps was established in January 1985. The Corps belongs to several competitive associations and competes in the Junior Ancient Class. The Corps is also a member of the Company of Fifers and Drummers Association. Since it was founded, the corps has performed in more than 1300 parades, musters and competitions.

Yalesville Sr. Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
Wallingford, CT

The Yalesville Fife & Drum Corps was formed in 1975 and originates from the Yalesville section of Wallingford, Connecticut. The existence of a fife and drum corps from Yalesville dates back to the late 1800's. Today's Yalesville Corps consists of approximately twenty adult members performing on fife, drum, drum major and color guard. The corps performs the music of traditional Early America and wears uniforms reflective of the early Colonial period. A marching cadence of 110 beats per minute is maintained to replicate the pace of Colonial troops.

Deep River Drum Corps
Deep River, CT

One of the oldest fife and drum corps in the state, the Deep River Drum Corps hosts an annual muster on the third Saturday in July that features the music of hundreds of corps. The corp welcomes new members. Information: send e-mail to Patty at dram2006@gmail.com

Deep River Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
P.O. Box 234
Deep River, CT

The Deep River Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps was formed in 1955 and today consists of a 25 member corps of young dedicated musicians. The corps continues to foster and promote ancient martial nusic through education, instruction, and participation in parades and musters. The corps is outfitted in Revolutionary era uniforms - red wool coats with contrasting trim, cream colored vests, khaki pants, black gaiters and Tricorn hats. The musical repertoire is based on the music of the Civil and Revolutionary Wars era with a few contemporary tunes and songs. Information: www.drja.org/Index.html or write to info@drja.org. Appearances in 2009:
Independence Day Parade, July 4, Madison, 11 a.m.
Ancient Mariner’s Muster, July 11, Old Saybrook, 11 a.m.
Deep River Tattoo, July 17, Deep River, 7 p.m. performance
Deep River Ancient Muster, July 18, Deep river, 11 a.m.
Bennington Battle Day Parade, August 15-16, Bennington, Vermont, 12:30p.m. Sunday
Company of Fifers & Drummer Museum, August 18, Ivoryton, 7:30 p.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.

East Hampton 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fifes & Drums
Contact: Shari Borenstein, P.O. Box 204
East Hampton, CT
Phone: 860-267-8874

The 3rd Connecticut Regiment of Fifes & Drums was established in 1887. The corps is a family corps, meaning that all ages are invited to participate. The corps meets every Tuesday night for instruction, with the winter months the primary instruction time. During the winter, practices are held 7-8:30 p.m. in the cafeteria at the East Hampton High School. In the spring, summer, and late fall, practice is outside where the corps drills in 18th-century march to the familiar Revolutionary tunes of “Yankee Doodle,” “The Girl I Left Behind Me,” “The Road to Boston,” and many others. These practices are often held at Nelson's Campground in East Hampton. The corps is always looking for new members. Those interested may contact the corps via the website.

First Falls Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Contact: Rod Fulton, 51 Lynn Drive
Yalesville, CT  06492
Phone: 203-269-9851

See Map

The First Falls Junior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps is proud to join the tradition started by the Wallingford fife and drum corps dating from the 1870s. It is proud to keep this historic tradition alive by playing the music of Colonial Times. The corps plays period music from the 1700s to early 1900s. Its uniform is patterned after the uniform of the colonial militia in the period, 1780-1810.

Grand Republic Fife and Drum Corps
Southbury / Torrington, CT

The Grand Republic Fife and Drum Corps re-creates the sounds of the 1890s by marrying the legacy of music performed by Civil War veterans with the nostalgia of the Gilded Age. Playing on hand-crafted keyless wooden fifes and rope-tension drums, the corps’ repertoire draws on the rich heritage of American music from the period following the War Between the States. The Corp dresses in 19th Century band-style uniforms. Musical selections capture a wide range of Americana, from well-known patriotic and folk songs to minstrel tunes and cakewalks. Information: Send e-mail to info2008@grandrepublic.org. Appearances in 2009:
Mariner’s Muster, July 11, Old Saybrook
Deep River Muster, July 18, Deep River, 11 a.m. parade with muster to follow
Concert with the Grainfield Fife and Drum Corps at the Company of Fifers and Drummers Museum, July 21, Ivoryton, 6 p.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.

17th Connecticut Regiment Fifes & Drums
Torrington, CT
Phone: 860-489-7165

The 17th Connecticut. Regiment Fifes & Drums was re-organized in August 1975, some 200 years after the original 17th Regiment of Connecticut Militia was created.

18th Connecticut Regiment Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Windsor, CT
Phone: 860-688-0373

Founded in 1978, recreating the 18th Conn. Regiment of Militia, an active fighting unit during the American Revolution. The Regiment draws its members from across north central Connecticut and southwestern Massachusetts.

Ancient Mariners Fifes, Drums and Chanteymen
Contact: Kevin R. Brown, 122 Meadow Lark Lane
Westbrook, CT
Phone: 860-399-7572

The Ancient Mariners was founded July 4, 1959 by Roy Watrous, a Guilford native with a passion for the sea, who recognized the possibilities of forming a musical group with a nautical theme. The group’s portrayal of the common sailor of 1812, brings to life a vivid display of the colonial-era seaman. Built around the wood fife and the rope tension drum, the Mariners play and sing a variety of traditional music. From up tempo hornpipes and jigs to the work songs used aboard ship, the story of the ancient sailor is told.Appearances in 2009:
Mariner 50th Anniversary Muster, July 10-12, Old Saybrook
Deep River Muster, July 17–19, Devitt Field, Deep River
Blessing of the Fleet, July 26, Stonington, 1 p.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 21–23, Westbrook
Marlborough Muster, September 11–13, Lake Terrwhatsit, Marlborough
Sudbury Muster & Faire, September 25-27, Wayside Inn, Sudbury

Chester Fife & Drum Corps
Chester, CT
Phone: 860-526-2178

This is one the oldest continuously active fife & drum corps in the United States. Led by Drum Major Leo Reinhauzens, the Chester Fife & Drum Corps had performed throughout the United States, and overseas in Ireland, Switzerland and Scotland. Information: 860-342-2784

Colchester Continental Fife & Drum Corps
Contact: Wayne Seidel
Colcester, CT
Phone: 860-742-7274

The Colchester Continentals march again after being dormant for almost a century. The Colchester Continental Fife & Drum Corps is comprised of an experienced group who strive to share the ancient style of fifing and drumming, through musical excellence and precise marching. The Corps travels all over the United States to participate in parades, ceremonies, musters, and events. Based in Colchester Connecticut, the Colchester Continentals always welcome new members ages 18 and over. Apearances in 2009:
Columbia 4th of July Parade, July 4, Columbia, 9 a.m.
East Hampton Old Home Day Parade, July 11, East Hampton, 10:30 a.m.
Colchester Muster, July 25, Colchester, 11:30 a.m.
Nathan Hal Muster, July 26, Nathan Hale Homestead, Coventry, 11:30 a.m.
Columbus Day Parade, October 4, Westerly, Rhode Island, 12:30 p.m.

Colonel John Chester Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Contact: Art Hutchinson, PO Box 290305
Wethersfield, CT
Phone: 860-563-5801

The oldest Junior Ancient Corps in Connecticut. The corps is named after the former Col. John Chester School where it was organized. Colonel John Chester Fife & Drum is Connecticut's oldest Junior Ancient Corps. Organized between 1939-1940, the corps' first appearance in competition was in 1942. Colonel John Chester is the official marching unit that accompanies the Wethersfield Volunteer Fire Department at numerous parades and conventions around the state. The Corp maintains an active schedule each year, appearing in parades, concerts, musters and competitions.

Connecticut Blues Fife & Drum Corps
9 Village View Lane,
Unionville, CT  06085

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The Blues has developed into one of the finest marching musical units in New England. The Blues' repertoire includes music from the Revolutionary War up through the Civil War, Irish jigs and reels, sea chanteys and songs of the early West along with classical selections. Rehearsals are Tuesday evenings from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at Brewster School, 126 Tuttle Road, Durham. For more information, write to tpcecil@yahoo.com. Appearances in 2009:
4th of July Parade, July 4, Groton, 10 a.m. Ancient Mariner's Muster, July 11, Old Saybrook, 11 a.m.
Deep River Ancient Muster, July 18, Deep River, 11 a.m.
Westbrook Muster, August 22, Westbrook, 11 a.m.
Marquis of Granby Anniversary Muster, October 3, Granby, time TBD

Connecticut Patriots Senior Ancient Fife & Drum Corps
Contact: Peter Degree, P.O. Box 243
Plainville, CT  06062
Phone: 860-526-5266

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A progressive but traditional ancient fife and drum corps, the Connecticut Patriots Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps strives to maintain a goal of musical excellence. The musical repertoire consists of selections from pre¬-Revolutionary to the contemporary, featuring intricate arrangements and several theme pieces such as Southern Comfort, Irish, and Seaweed. The Patriots are well known and regarded throughout the United States and Europe for their musical presentations and are goodwill ambassadors from the Town of Plainville.