• aen Published by The Company of Fifers & Drummers, Inc. October 2005 Issue 116 $5.00 PERSONAL • BUSINESS • TRUST • INVESTMENT SERVICES
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INVESTMENTS IN STOCKS. BONDS. '\.iUTIJAL Fl.NOS & ANNUITrES: Ir-or A DEPOSIT jr-or ro1c 1ssLRED! r-oT BA:-IK GuARA;\;TEED !MAY LOSE VALuEj jsor ,~sL'RED sv ~" FEDERALGOVER~\1C~T AGE.'\CY I Ancienffimes 2 From the Editor 1 Im~ I U,, 0,1,i«r !005 THE PERFECTIONISTS· Published by The History ofRudi mental Snare he theme of this issue is the 40th Anniversary The Company of Drnmming: Part 2 Year of The Company ofFifers & Drummers. It's been a great 40 yean., and we've come a Fifers & D rummers 6 long way. I'm sure you will all enjoy the arti hup/k'ompanyoffire.wklnim.org Dmms Along the Maumee cle presenting the minutes of our founding f.dllor: Editor: Dan JfQJlan, Pro Tm, Tmeeting in I 965. Which of us knew that the original name An & Design Dirtctor: Da\t Jone,; 8 of the organization had been decided as "The Committee of Ad1erming Managtt: uoBrtnnan Roy! Fifers & Drummers''? According to Pace ·s minutes, there A$!illdalt Edltorl: Dormnicl Cuccia. \IU>ic EdilOr 10 were sixteen corps represented, though l have been told Owcl Rtley. Website and C)~ Edi!Of Befletra Fifre et Tambour wi1h authority that there were thirteen, or even twelve. It's AJJunda Goodhe.1n. Jwuor ~CV. I Editor nice now to know.Our founding meeting adopted the fol Troupe de la Marine Mm: Logsdon. :\W\\N Edrtor lowing phrase for our lenerhead: "Dedicated to the perpetu Bill Maling. Current £\C!U> Omspondent Dave :-iodl. Online Chat lnte1V1CW, 12 ation of early American manial music." That this dedica Ed Olsm, Mo Sdioo,,, Obn~ The Commiuee of tion continues to strike a chord with folk is one of the rea \l.uty S.tnp,;o11. WN Coost Editor Fifers & Drummers sons for our success. ~tmbershipiSul>l,criptions: In For corps. ,ndi, ,J11al, or lift monbmhip mformanon or The Meeting Minutes case you don't see the separate article in this issue 111J111uti011
From Military Code to Field Competition (continued from A-T Issue 115) byKe11Ma:11r
hampion drummers from 1875 to 1983 built coordination and speed using a difficult 300 year old method of gauging progress - the breakdown - where one gradually accelerates and decelerates. Breakdown length differs: Stone ( 1931 ): from 3 10 6 The History ofRudimental minutes. Sturtze (1954): I 1/2 minute accelera- tion and a I 1/2 minute ritard. McCormick ( 1965): two minutes. This was carried forward to Part 2 the beginning of DCJ lnclividuals in 1973. Snare Drumming eliminated in 1984. PAS has recently used one minute but is changing 10 a more representative thoughts 10 one per diddle. an imponant maturation Legion National Titles and 12 Northeast Titles.) test at 90 seconds. The discipline is similar to the of mental concentration and coordination. Al LinquHy: "Redican was one of the basic instruction of skaters ·'figures.. where judges • Endurance. There is no "rest period" or greatest students Srunze ever had. He was kind of would go on ice to observe ·'edgei>•· (etching~). "timeout". Mental lapses place the cliscipline of aloof then. I mean everyone got along but it was Similar!}", drummers looked for volume consi~tency. many simultaneous factors in jeopardy: volume, WIN THAT MEDAL! Pretty fierce. Very fierce!" note ,pacing and a gradual change in tempo. position, accent power, timing, coordination. John Flowers (Reading Buccaneers): Breakdowns- like exercises • are a musical simula fatigue and how to adjust to fatigue after peak "Redican was more powerful. but Arsenault was tion: "It has been only since the 1970' s that a strong speed during ritard. Changing your grip due to just a machine." desire 10 link an athletes' training process through fatigue is a risk. They played strong through the Bobby Redican: "I always liked beating modeling. A model 1s an mrnation. a simulation of head and were in excellent physical condition. Frankie. He would go fast; fast but not steam realit> made out of specific elements of the spon • The) learned perfect forn1 at slow tempos. clean. The judges that knew him let him get away [and] should incorporate onl}" those means of training therefore able to drive when speeding. with it. He was someone to target. I watched him which are identical to the nature of competition ... • They learned 10 play with large motions, quite a bit. I learned that way." [18) allowing their instructors a bener view of physical Bener drummers wrote their own solos but The transition from military technique and errors. Large motions develop better coordination. New York had to pick selections from military march music to show tunes and other genre in Breakdown drummers used the weight of camp duty allowing Connecticut more difficult bugle corps was due to technically proficient break their hands and forearms symmetrically. producing fillers. Redican used Flam Paradiddle Diddles and down drummer1> from fife and drum executing the power and balanced dynamic \'Olume. They were double accented Single and Double Paradiddles 10 "26" in new combinations having longer phrai;es. unbeatable unless agamst each other. win 46 of 70 contests. Solos were usually I :30 10 The pridc-of-the-Ancien~ 7 and 15 stroke roUs Jay Tuome): "All the great drummers cor• I:45. The long roll was requisite with two more were whillled to S's and 9\ because drummers dially hated each other. It was war! Individuals picked out of a hat by the first competitor or judge. enjoyed marching to faster tempos of popular was a dogfight! They were all great players. The One 2/4 and 6/8 piece was required. Breakdown music. The threads that would sev. code drumming Sons of Libeny had all the great rivals: Les Parks errors were between 1/4 and 2 fuU points depend to different music genre were pleasing accent vs. George Ripperger and Perrilloux. Bobby ing on severity. Charley Poole: "You could be patterns found in Flam coordination, Ruff-Rat-Drag Thompson vs. Hugh Quigley. Howard Keanally awarded up to one more point for "super speed·· on combinations and mastery of continuous accented and 81II Pace ..... just a war. There were great your fastest breakdo"n speed. Many times. I rolls. items of technical superiority. How could this rivals. Some never talked to each other. Redican would score over the maximum 25 points because happen breaking down only 26 variations? and Perrilloux would pal around together. but com of it. If the draw was the Triple Ratamacue or • A drummers greatest responsibility is to pete fiercely. Hugh Quigley was very gregarious Flam Paradiddle-Diddle. it was a killer. Most control time. Breakdowns require each note 10 be and was liked by all. Les Parks could be aloof and couldn't do it well; kind of like Swiss Triplets hand mentally then physically placed in time: no "guess arrogant at times but was a great player. Redican to hand - a sign of manhood. My father would drin· ing." They teach how 10 bend time and master note had a very wide open style: high and open. He was me to a contest in New York somewhere. separauon. the ability 10 make minute adjus1menl!i. a perfectionist. Frank Arsenault had big arm Registration was at 8 PM. It would go till 4 AM. This helps the student master the art of concentra motion but was ve1} fa~t: a very open style with We would go out and get breakfast."' tion. the most irnponant aspect of professionalism. high attacks. He was a human machine. Hugh and Nonh Branford Ftfe and Drum Corps won • Breakdowns establish a strong coordina Frank both were perfectionists: drumming fanatics. best drum line at the New York World's Fair com tion template with hand to hand playing. Left hand Hugh was very smooth with speed: great execution. petitions of 1939 and 1940. Five J. Bums Moore lead practice improves the normal right hand lead I would say it was Frank number one and Hugh students were using dynamics like the Kirk's. b} t,\enty to thiny percent. number two a\ the best I ever saw ... Connecticut. Ralph Colter: ·-we were the first line to do shad • Two wrist turns for a diddle produced New York State and Hudson Valley Field Day ing. The initial strokes of a seven were crescen more physical control of the second note. brought out the snare drummers against each doed into the accent. Eighth note flams after this Breakdowns force a player to learn the difficult other.·· (Hugh Quigley won 60 snare titles. 6 were very soft. Well. it caught on. There was no point at which the brain must switch from two Connecticut State Championships. 2 American credit on the sheets for it though but for exhibitions. Ancient T1111es 3
it was very effective." We had 10 drop it to 5's. We had 8 snares in 1946, believe what he was seeing! A lot of the lines Bill Reamer: ''We played solos like '47 and '48, Philly in '49. California in ·50 and were still playing rump-da-dum stuff. We were Downfall of Paris, The General and Connecticut Missouri .... actually till '54. We were winning; 7 playing Ratamacues! We won drums. Reamer Halftime. Some made up their own. There must state and 2 national titles. We played all the 26 was way ahead of his rime. He put rudiments in have been over a hundred drummers there that rudiments... Drum instructors were now in drum corps." day. ll was dominated by Connecticut. I took 13th demand. I ended up teaching 15 to 20 corps Don Mihok (Osmond Cadets,1949 VFW place. It started early in the morning and went all myself." Jr. Snare Champion): "Reamer taught us day." The 1940 American Legion National Junior Don Friesing (Skyliners): ··At Sky we "Troublemakers•·. It was a tap six stroke roll. No Snare Drum Championship was an invitational would get our drums level using string stretched one had seen or done them then.·• contest of east versus west sponsored by Ludwig. across the line. There was an American legion The "Rodney Dangerfield" of rudiments George Lawrence Stone was the drum judges rule that stated the drums should be on a 4511 angle. was the Six Stroke Roll because Ancients thought chairman flanked by William F. Ludwig and J. It's not physically possible 10 play with that severe it sounded like a Ratamacue. Why play a "6" Bums Moore. Connecticut dominated the order of an angle! ... We marched in two rows of four with when you can switch hands? It does not appear in finish: Bobby Redican, James Ryan, Mickey the better drummers 10 the outside. Colonel historical military instruction books and if it does, Stefonowitz, Sigmond Trybus and Frank Pierce. the instructor of Skyliners, would add onJy as 'practice material·, odd considering its Arsenaull. Vincent Mott was the highest placing syncopation to the partS between snares and tenors." generous charging downbeat and easy execution. western drummer defeating William F. Ludwig Jr. In 1947, Bill Reamer (VFW individual As tempos increased after the war. everybody Redican was 17. winning a $75 red. white and blue champion 1938, 1941 and 1946 ). did as the learned the rudiment with no respect. mother of pearl 12 x 16 drum. a lot of money at Ripperger brothers and packed his McCall Before l 950, a judge could not pick up a that time. Bluebird students and 8mm movie camera into his dropped stick. Enter Bob Cotter, director of the Recordings of the 1953 Charles T. Kirks Volkswagon van to see the greatest players in the Jersey Joes, Legion champions in '48, second in and early 1950's Blessed Sacrament and Reilly world at Connecticut musters where Sturtze's win '49. Nat Garratano (Jersey Joes): "One contest Raiders make it very apparent timing was skewed ning studenl.!i were on display. Earl had kept their at New Jersey State, one tenor drummer was not to add that litlle bit of superior Ancient flavor. As phone numbers and redialed after the war. Reamer that good. He took an extra horn player and put novice players filled bugle corps rruoo;, the brought the high Connecticut style back to him on tenor. He was to drop his stick and go on metered roll became standard. Ancients called it Pennsylvania. resulting in a national AL junior through the show and not play. Now, this bugler "cut drumming". Stop cheating! The Ancients 7 championship for the McCalJ Bluebirds in 1947 - was a character. He threw that stick about 20 and 15 stroke roll attacks were delayed after the first junior bugle corps 10 play Ratamacues - and yards. That same season, Bob took another guy "and" of the beat without mathematical subdivi the Osmond Hunicanes m 1948 and '49 for his who was no1 a tenor and had a doctor put his ann sion. They also held releases back to play 24th student's line. John Dowlan. in a sling. It was done up perfectly! They go1 tha1 note singles quicker - and out of meter - at phrase Fife and drum played Ratamacues before rule changed because of him." endings. Bugle corps tried this to no avail. John 1812. Na11onal titles won by Reilly Raiders 1947 Pratt: ''I saw the Geneva Appleknoc:kers in the Ed Olsen: ··The fife and drum corps' line (John Dowlan, Harry Ginther and Charlie 1948 and '49 seasons. They were doing 7's and musters would attract all the great drummers from Comilius) and Reamer's McCall Bluebirds (Bill 15's. Everyone else was doing S's and I3's. They the past. At Westbrook, there would be a jam Maling. Don Mihok. Jack Corey and Jack Kasm) got killed for i1." As M&M corps learned the session after the corps perfonnanc~ with the ended World War I influence. To earn a snare same rudiments and competitive pieces, they drift younger kids trying 10 play faster and out-do each spot in these senior and junior champions. you ed away from centuries old military beatings. other. The old cats simply '"got the nod" and now needed rudimental style training. preferably Penilloux went to the Skyliners in 1953, liking the retired 10 Bobby Thompson's car. Hugh Quigley. when young. Reilly would tear through the 1950's freedom of swing rhythms. Ken Lemley, Bill Pace, Bobby Thompson. winning six national titles behind the strength of a During the 1930's and l940's most field Tuomey. Redican, Penilloux...... the boys ..... start seriow, and dedicated drurnline that went to show drum lines marched 8 or 9 snares with 4 or 5 bass ed their own music. It wasn't long before there sites a day early in their lrish green hearse. Drum drums because regulation TR75-5 stipulated two were twenty or thirty kids gathered around staring major Wild Bill Hooten threw second place tro bugles or three fifes for every snare drum. at their drumming idols.'' phies over the fence. Gabarina Post - the Skyliners - were last of the Bill Reamer: "J. Bum.s Moore and Sturt2e Bobby Redican: "Reilly Raiders in the large champion lines before a 3-3-2 snare-tenor students were picking the hands up. They also early and late 1950's was a hell of a good line. bass ensemble became most efficient with harder were the ones that usually won ... ln 1947, we did Their tenor drummers were equally as competent. rudiments and faster tempos under the tick system. rudimental drum solo~. I had Bill Maling and Don They could all duplicate parts so it sounded like A method had not yet been developed to train Mihok at Osmond. Many of the lines back then the original recordings. Corps were playing the eight snare:. 10 execute difficult rudiment combina were doing IO or I2 snares, h was not clean. They Boston Pops pieces then. Their drum solo was in tions cleanly. had to cut it down. They didn't play well. I cut the middle of the competition. You bener believe Ed Olsen: "It was the fife and drum the line 10 4 and 4 with 2 bass. We did break they were clean!" drummers that taught the M&M corps. They downs in the Bums Moore style and used Stone Charlie Cornelius (Reilly Raiden;): '·Toe didn '1 gel the fife and drum instruction until after book examples." first thing we would do at prac1ice was to go the war. Then Garbarina came." Bill Bernert (McCall Bluebirds): "In 1947, through all the rudiments. We did the open roll Bill Boerner (Gabarina/Skyliners): ''It was Pop Martin [J Frank Martin] saw that Reamer was and broke it down .... By doing breakdowns it the tempos that pushed Seven Stroke Rolls into doing the Connecticut Halftime and Downfall of helped us interpret the rudiments 10 the music and 5"s. We played many Seven Stroke RolJs, but at Paris as drum solos on the field. No one had done let me tell you it was clean as a bell! ..... The angle 128. those two extra notes would be crushed in. that before. Manin went beserk! He couldn't (comi1111ed 11e.\1 page) 4 Ancient Tunes
(continued from pre,•ious page) [curled] pinky acts like a pendulum, !Urning the left guy won on his hand salute; that mine didn't look hand down. It changes the center of gravity of the as good. Were they kidding or was it true? Who of the drum was now so you could beat into it enrire hand and keeps the left hand from going knows? You have to pay some dues ya know?" instead of off it, especially the left hand ... flat ... Les would stand on table tops and look down John Flowers: "I saw Rita in '57. She Bob Adair (Reilly Raiders): ·Too many a1 all the styles. He used a big mirror as well and wiped my socks! Man, she had excellent rolls! of us were raising families so you had 10 practice at spent hours on the perfection of the left hand tum. Charles Ellison (St. Vincent Cade1s, 1956 home. For a big show we had extra practices. It So did Sturtze. One common element was 10 National Snare Champion): ''Bobby Thompson gol was a weekend thing. You had a job and raised move the sticks in the same plane; Les (Parks] to come over to our corps. He was with your family." VERY IMPORTANT!'' us from 1954 10 '58. Les kept the ann in. lt was all The extended endurance of Harry Ginther"s Marty Hurley (Blessed Sacrament): foreann. We practiced all 26 rudiments. The "Grey Ghost" ( 1958) Reilly Raider drum solo. "When the pinky finger is back it forms a bener middle finger was straigh1 on the left hand. The influencing Fred Johnson's "Magoo" ( 1959) the bridge for the stick to rest on. The ring finger is Caballeros ''The Bomb"" ( 1960). and others broke right hand had a grip between the thumb and fore less likely to move. Les and Bobby spent hours finger. We all learned drumming before Les crune tradition. A 13 1/2 minute show had time for two perfecting the technique. They wanted a method so our styles were a bit different. Les had a dry short drum solos and one long one. The famous that had the left hand under more control.'' sense of humor. He was very scholarly abou1 "Grey Ghost" solo had extended rolls and Drags Jack Cassidy (Reilly Raiders): ..The drumming. He approached it a~ music ... There supported by tenor and bass notes. Paul Mosley: Reilly Raiders played similar 10 the Bobby was no backsticking then - no twirls - but you ''The Grey Ghost was the national anthem of rudi Thompson ·s style but without the left grip. We did could improvise in your solo." mental drumming. That kicked it off. You didn't n·, do the pinky thing. We didn ·, see a benelil 10 it The plastic heads used by the 1957 Cavalier.; have drum solos with rolls and drags in those days." until we sat down with Bobby and he showed us the to win a very humid Miami finals would save man) Palenes now widened so no two percussion benefit of the style. We tried it and it works!" hours of tuning and practice time yet have a similar arrangers would sound the same. Reilly didn't like Parks reduced stick angles from 55g to 459 or sound and technique. Calfskin could lose its tension tradition anyway. first to present a drum solo at the slightly less. taking better advantage of the human in eight measures "turning imo pizza:· Plastic kepi front of the field and sneaking rudiments in not muscle and bone system. much closer 10 the center its 1ension. Son of... Ron Marcquenski from the ''26." Jay Tuomey: ''The best M&M of gravil) of the body resulting in more power and (Cavaliers): .. We were a test corps. When Frank corps up till 1950 was the Reilly Raiders. There control. Elbow~ are now at the back of the back, [Arsenault) got 1here he would bring new stuff over was nothing wes1 of Philly at that time ... The} intro not extended •·around the tree... Another Sons of duced new rudimenls; very sharp. They had some - plastic heads. We ripped them and cracked them: Liben} contribution is the hand angle on the wrist 100 hard. too soft We were denting them. splitting guy 1hey called Ghost as a drum sergeant." H3JT) h.inge. The "S·· or "power train" is formed when a t11em ... The metal hoop for plastic was much lower Ginther named ..The Grey Ghos1" solo after Jimmy flat right wrisl moves to the right. from the lip of than the wood of a rope len.sion drum. Now John Giles : ·-we had 1wo different drum ins1ructor.;. the thumb 10 the wrist hinge and the wrist hinge up Dowtan·s "stretching exercise·· could be used. Ginther was there, bu1 Perrilloux was coming in the forearm . then straight 10 the shoulder. Go left something called "backsticking... from New Jersey. Eric Perrilloux wa~ 1he tops! and you play more like they did in 1920 on a much Girls might gel to play snare if they could The 1hree snares didn·, like each 01her all the time. lower drum. It was the last piece of the physics find another to "balance·· the line on each side. Sornetm1es we would bitch and moan. We had puule. With it. Bobb, Thompson·s Blessed Devon Grammar School had such an occurrence. different s1yles. After 1hree or four year.; of playing Sacrament Junior line immediately staned to domi Veronica (Bentle) Sturt,.e (Winner - Feminine together you get 10 know each ocher. We would nate in 1954 with their lirs1 national 1itle. Class -1940 ~ew York World's Fatr, Connecticut argue abou1 who made a mistake! No one ever Bill Reamer belie\'ed Audabon\ 1954 all Senior and Northeas1em States Champion): made them! There were marks on the score sheet girl corps had raw talent. The Audabon Bon Bons "ln the contes1s. we did breakdowns and you but no one made them! ii wasn ·1 me!" won the drum quane1 competition in '56 and took didn't know which rudiments would be picked. So. Unlike Kirk and Reill,. 1he Son·s of Liberty high drums at 1he ·57 Atlantic Cit}' nationals. A I took my drum 10 school. The principal would Fife and Drum Corps (1947- 1968) demanded female line of 18 year old high school senior.; everyone play one style in the earl} l 950~. Jurnard send up notes telling me to stop. Teachers would gamed peer respec1 beating everybody. Everyone sa ·'She doesn't knO\\ when 10 stop! She doesn't grad Les Parks ran the corps and 1augh1 the drum 1 says you could set your wa1ch b; the breakdowns kno" how to stop! ... When I was 17 years old. the line assisted b) Bobb} Thompson. They used of 1957 Na1ional Snare Champion Rita (Macy) L}'Tics Theatre had talent shows ... There were 35 Sturtze 's am1 motion with a rigid middle linger and Bernert: ·we were always together and liked 10 be more people in i1! I played the long roll and solo. curled pinky on the left hand. Le~ brouglll dynam on t0p .... reall) hated band. In corp, you always My father cried... That's m) daugh1er!'. This was ics to the Son's in 1950. Competitor.; thought this a try to do better than your la,1 show. You needed during the depression. I won li\'e dollars and ga\'e bad idea, but everyone was using dynamics next dedicated practice. I always practiced one or two it 10 my mother ... I wem into [individual] competi season. The rea~on Tuomey states Sturue used 10 hour.; a day. The people next door weren't 100 tions. A few times I beat the guys. I had man} "scalp" them was they were not dynamically 'by happ) ! My brothers were ready to shoot me! I second prizes. I can still drum. II gels in your the book·. Parks - the innovator - wa\ !urning liked i1. trs in ya. I wanted to be perfect. .... Bill blood you know ... pages fas1er than S1urtze wanted to read. Reamer wrote my snare solo •·Toe Rita Mac; Jay Tuomey (Sons of Liben) ): ..Parks was Special'·. ii had fancy 6/8 stuff in it. Dan Mihok in II certain I} doe~. ❖ very inventive using s,, iss. Lesson 25 and Pada the seniors used the same solo. Reamer" rote some fla-fla rudiments in 1he early 1950's. My dealing~ rudiments that didn ·1 even have names! I beal End \01~: with Stunze were informal. He played with a [left] 18. Bompa. p.,IO John Flowers and all 1hose from the west; the guys half thumb. This wa, not a,; precise as Les Parks, RrJ>rinirJ b1 {'
____ RSARY GALA n honor of The Company's 40th anniversa,}i on November 19, 2005, there I will be an executive meeting at 10 AM, a short general meeting at 1 PM (to which all are invited) and then a gala social and jollification at 2 PM. Weather permitting, the jollification will be outside. A catered buf fet lvill be p,vvided for all guests - including the general pub- lie. This is a celebration! ~',~ proud to have made it this fa,: We have a fine organi:ation, a solid i building, a fife and drum museum and archives unsurpassed in the world, and ofcourse-The Ancient Times. If you haven't been to a Company meeting in a while, now is the time to do so. Spend some time with old friends and acquaintances-and make some new ones. There are new winds bringing fresh air to The Company and probably some faces you haven't seen befo,~ (or at least for a while!). Spread the word- come one - come all - enjoy! 6 Ancient Tunes
By Bill Maling Fort Meigs and Fort Ticonderoga 10 play a few tunes. Perrysburg, Ohio... and made the arrangements for the Both days. the corps each uring the weekend of July Fort Ticonderoga Corps of Drums gave two 30-minute concerts in 30-31. 2005, the stirring to attend the muster. Michael front of the monument. At four sound of fifes and drums Edson, Director of the corps. said o'clock each day all corps joined echoed through historic Fort the 14 hour trip was made easier in a "massed bands" perfonnance Meigs, built during the War by the nice tour bus of 1812 on a bluff 40 feet paid for by this anony above the Maumee River mous grant. The mem near Toledo, Ohio. The event was bers of this well drilled the fourth annual muster at Fort New York corps are Meigs. one in a series of "living hired by the manage history" summer events at the fort. ment of Fort What a great venue for a Ticonderoga for sum muster! Within the stockade walls mer employment as of the fort lie IO acres of grass and performers. lots of shade trees. At the very The Belletra center of the fort. is a striking, 84 Fifre et Tarnbour, foot tall granite monument with Troupe de la Marine, steps at its base that provided seat ing for the muster spectators. It was a wonderful sunny weekend, enjoyed by the corps mem bers and a very interesting music event for the gener al public. Other living history events during the weekend included artillery and mus ket demonstrations. exhibit of army medicine status in 1813 and spinning & fiber arts. There were four corps attend ing on Saturday and five on Sunday. The Fort Ticonderoga Corps of Drums made a long trip from northern was the newest corps. New York to attend. The very having been formed entertaining Voyager Ancient Fife just three years ago. and Drum Corps came from They were very strik Layfayette, Indiana and the ing in their bright red Bellatra Fifre et Tarobour from unifonns patterned Port Huron, Michigan also attend after French Marines of ed. Camp Chase Fifes and Drums the l760's era. The from Columbus. Ohio was the corps is sponsored by fourth corps. The very well the Port Huron Rotary. known First Michigan Colonial the Port Huron Museum and the of tunes that all the corps kne" . Fife and Drum Corps arrived for French Colonial Heritage Society. Saturday's massed group was led the Sunday program, giving their On Sunday. First Michigan by Terry Hart, Director of the usual excellent performances. Director Mark Logsdon invited Voyagers. and Sunday's by Mark A donor interested in both them to join his corps "on stand" Logsdon. Ancient Tunes 7
Housing for the panicipating Historical Society. The first major cannon fire from the enemy artillery forcemcnts anived down lhe Maumee corps was provided by Fort Meigs in restoration 100k place in 1967 to 1975 situated across the river on higher on boats consisting of 1,200 troops the classrooms of the new 3,000 wi1h the fort complex having been ground. The fort was nan1ed for then from Kentucky. After some initial square foot Museum and Education finished in the last several years. Fort Governor of Ohio. the honorable success and spiking some of the Center building that opened in 2003. Meigs is the largest reconstructed Return Jonathan Meigs. British guns. the Americans eventual The meals during the weekend were stockade (i.e. wooden) fort in the For more infonnation on Fort ly lost 650 Kentuckians and the 450 ,. United States. IL Meigs and their special event sched survivors had to retreat into the fort. . : has seven two ule, go to their web site http://fort Fort Meigs held however, and finally story block hous meigs.org on May 9th the British leader, Colonel ~'~-~. .J-~.....-.._:t.~. --. es and five Henry Proctor. withdrew his troops .., - artillery batteries. and the first siege was over. The The obelisk type THE SIEGE OF American losses in the fort were near monument in the FORT MEIGS ly 80 men killed and 180 wounded. center of the fort The War of 1812 had been In July. Proctor returned to wa~ erected in going on for only about 10 months Fort Meigs with nearly 350 regulars 1908 tocom when Fort Meigs was completed. The and about 3.500 Indians. His artillery, memorate the American garrison consisted of about however. had been stripped to arm the men that fought I.I 00 regular troops and militia. The British fleet on Lake Erie and Proctor in the battles that British and their Indian allies had won soon realized he could not take lhe fort. After a week. lhe British withdrew again. end ing the engagemenL Later in September of 1813. Commodore Oh,·er Hazard Perry defeated the British on Lake Erie and Major General W1lliam Henry Harrison ("Old Tippecanoe.'' elected presi dent in 1840) successfully pursued the British Anny into Canada. The War of 1812 ended in February 1815 with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.❖
1. The Belletra Fifre et Tambour. Troupe de la Marme,gathers on the steps of the 111om1111e111. 2. With a blockhouse of the Jori in the backgro1111d, took place in and several battles at Detroit and Camp Chase Fifes and Drums line up in concert fomwrion. around Fort Frenchtown before aniving at Fort Meigs in April 1813 with 522 regu 3. The Voyagers Ancient Fife and Meigs in 1813. Dmm Corps. under the direction of Several of lars, 462 Canadian militia and 1,200 Terry Harr, prepare to go 011 stand. Indians. led by the Shawnee wanior. 4. The Voyagers Anciem Fife and Tecumseh. Drum Corps, 1111der the direction of have exhibits After some skinnishes. the Tern• Hart, prepare 10 go 011 stand. about the fort siege began on May Ist when the and the battles of British began their anillery bombard 18 I3. An inter- ment. lobbing shot across the river into the fort. The British also set up batteries on the same side of the river long earthworks to catch the fort in a cross fire. also furnished by the fort. The very that run through the fort ... the largest Thousands of shells bartered the Fort nice evening meal on Saturday was being called the Grand Traverse. This Meigs for a week. followed by an enthusiastic "all largest banier (originally 12 feet high Battles also took place outside corps" jam session in the fort. and 20 feet wide at the base) was built the fort as the Americans attempted to Fort Meigs is part of the Ohio to protect the American troops from dislodge the attackers. American rein- By Cap n June 16. 2004, there was a car accidenl Cord11a11 that changed my life. It was emotional to many in lhe fife and drum community, I but I can only write about how it has affected me and the person involved in the accident. A young man broadsided Roy Watrou' car oot far from his beloved VFW in Guilford, CT. Roy's serious injuries included a neck broken in two places, both knees badly damaged, a punctured lung, and numerous other internal injuries. He was hospitalized, word went out to the Drum Corps com munity, and letters and good wish es came in from all over as Roy struggled to get himself healthy. There were Limes when we ques tioned whether he would make it, but through it all he never lost hope. In July 2004, the Ancient Mariners held their muster which they had been planning for over a year. This day meant a lot to Roy because it was a celebration of his beloved Mariners as well as a chance to see his brothers from Switzerland, The Swiss Mariners. It was also a day to just share in what he loves most. fife and drum and the people involved in this crazy an form. Needless to say he didn't make it to the muster. though his spirit W3!, definitely there! None the less. parts of it came to him. The Rehabilitation Center in Colchester was the site of many impromptu concerts throughout the summer as well as a special concert from the Stony Creek boys right in Roy's room. Throughout the next few months Roy got stronger, and though there were some pretty unpleasant bumps along the way, Roy never lost his spirit. The nursing staff absolutely loved him; his doctors were astonished by him; and everyone that spoke wilh him or stopped by found themselves inspired. It was during these months that I came to fall in love ~ ~ with this man who calls himself "big Roy." I have known Roy ~ for a number of years and like many. admired him as well a:, his music. We called each other "friends- good friends." As fate would have it. this horrific accident Ancient Tunes 9 i brought us closer together. He isn't just a good so many smiling faces, hugs, hand shakes, well friend now - he's my bei.t friend. wishes, giggles, and laughter. The energy sur drum rounding lhis man was truly amazing. All of us in the We have sat and told each other the sto Throughout the day Roy sat at the rear of the ries of our lives, and shared emotional moments • muster field by the Mariner tent and "held that I doubt either of us ever thought we would corps commuruty, court." tell another person. We have laughed and cried together - mostly laughed though. I remember Then it came time for the Mariners to go Thank you Roy for all how happy I was when Roy walked down the on stand - but even though Roy was now walk hall of the rehab center after months of physical ing on his own. there was no way he could therapy. the smile on his face saying it all. His march out of the chute with that rowdy bunch - your wonderful music, telling me. at that momenL. that he would be at "bis boys". They had arranged for Roy to join • the Deep River Muster come summer. Though them on stand, and once the corps was in place, your unwavenng at the time I questioned ifhe could do it. Roy Roy was escorted to his honored position in line. never faltered in knowing that he would be I have never heard so much cheering or such an there. Once again his spirit pushed him onward. outpounng of love as I did when Roy walked strength of character, across the field and took his place in line. He The idea of getting to Deep River became
Roy's driving force. He did everything in his then lifted up his anns and cheered too - very power to regain the needed strength. He had a emotional 10 say the least. He did it! He beat all goal he knew he could achieve, and he couldn't the odds and showed everyone that anything is be stopped. As July approached, the final prepa possible if you truly believe. rations had to be completed. I was appointed to get his uniform in order-- a task I didn't take So on July 16. 2005 Roy Watrous taught your sense of humor lightly - but first we had to find all the partS, me, as well as many others on the field, a valu and then get them dry cleaned and washed. Now able lesson in life. Miracles do happen.❖ there is a scary thought - an Ancient Mariner in and your a clean uniform!!!! Soon July 16. 2005 was upon us and Roy incredible Spirit. was like a little boy waiting for Christmas. Robin and Barbara had the task of getting him to You are an the muster. The moment was pure bliss as he stepped out of their van and onto the field. Roy was gree1ed non-stop from the gate of the field inspiration to all of us. right over to the Mariner tent. I have never seen IO Ancient Tunes Belletra Fi re et Tambour TROUPE EL! MARINE By Scolt Coombs, Tambour Major
n 2003 a new fife and drum corps was started in Port Huron. Michigan by the local re-enaclment commu nity. llS purpose was to pro vide an opportunity for local ·gh school students to par• ticipate in a unique piece of history they would otherwise not experience. In addi tion, they would provide entertainment and support for The Feast of the St. Clair and St. Clair Days. These are two local French & Indian War events which take place in Spring and Fall consecutively. The corps is sponsored by the Pon Huron Museum and French Colonial Heritage Society. Financial support has been provided by the Port Huron Rotary and charitable donations throughout the community. During the first year. leadership of the corps was handled by several par enlS and Kim Samuels, one of the fifers. Uniforms (colonial sailor) and equip ment were acquired and by May the stu dents had three tunes down ready l0 per replaced the former sailor's unifonns with the red fonn. For the first small clothes of the French Marine musician. two years the corps Rehearsals were intensified and marching practice didn't march as a corps would commenced as soon as the weather broke. By lhc unit but simply gath represent end of May 2005 we had six fifes and three drum ered together at a French mers and the corps looked and sounded great. It designated location Musicians in was a new corps in the eyes of our supporters. and umc to perfonn the Troupe de Performances at the Feast last May went well and their music. Things la Marines the corps continues to receive compliments over got off to a good during the their improvement. start that first sum F&I period, In July the corps attended its first F&D mer but by the and lhoughl muster at Ft. Meig~. Ohio. The other corps attend following year no we might ing were head~ and tails above us, but in spite of new tunes had been want to that lhey took us under their wings and showed u, added and member change our ho"' things go in the F&D community. We could ship had dropped off. So. in late 2004 I offered my name. We had gone by the title of Port Huron n't have asked for better encouragement and sup services as musical leader and Tambour Major. Rotary Colonial Fife and Drum Corps and a name port. Our intentions that weekend were simply tc, The corps was kind enough to accept me as leader change would open the door for financial dona observe and practice. Saturday morning and after and off we went. tions from organizations other than the Rotary. noon was a real learning experience for bolh the We quickly decided to re-organize the Consequently, we changed the name of the corps students and me. I quickly discovered I have a lot corps. Three new tunes were added to the reper to Belletra Fifre et Tambour. Troupe de la Marine. to learn about being a good Tambour Major. That loire and the corps staned marching togelber as a This worked out well for our sponsors so we evening we parucipated in our first jam session. Ancient Tunes l 1
marched with the corps from Ticonderoga and played ultimate frisbee with When the only requirement is members of all the corps. Sunday. Mark Logsdon had E✓'(DEiL .-' .- . us perform with the I st ~ ,._ Michigan and by that after noon the corps was per '-' forming on its own in front of everyone. It was a great Handcrafted in Grenadilla weekend we will not soon and Mopane forget October 8th and 9th is our final performance this (860) 873-1725 year at St. Clair Days. After www .peelerfifes.com Custom fifes available! that. it's back to rehearsing and recruiting for 2006. We are adding six new runes and already have new per formances scheduled for Ft Don't Take A Chance ... Travel With Spronce! Niagara and the Detroit Highland Games. It looks to be a very promising year. We hope to add three more ~p~~!!~~g!ravel fifes and two more drum I \ Drum Corps Travel mers to the corps by May. Wish us luck. I need to take a Time to start planning for our 2006 Tours moment to express my gratitude to the students and • Fasnacht in Basel, Switzerland Mar. 2 to 11, 2006 parents of the corps. A bener group couldn't have been A Fantastic Event for Fifers & Drummers a~ked for and I am grateful for their acceptance. I look • Florida Muster, March 1 to 5, 2006 forward 10 working with them in the future. ❖ Come Fife & Drum on the Beach Take a break from Winter. • St. Patrick's Day week in Ireland, March 12 to 19, 2006 Scott Coombs Tambour Ma)Of. Bel/erra Fifre et Tambour March in the Dublin & Limerick St. Patrick's Day Parades. Troupe de la Manne. Pott HUfOfl, MICh/gan Scott Coombs has been a musician since he was a child grow • For Corps, Bands and Cliques in Europe. ,ng up in the SalvatJOn Army. He played pen:usslon in h,gh school BIid earty collage, and while stud;ing mus,c In college changed h1s m.,, ~ can arrange a complete tour for your state side visit msmnnent 10 euphonium• ..nere his emphasis was on ensemble con Including flights. hotels. coaches. sightseeing and e,·ents for you to partici cluct11V( BIid lnsttUmenca/ performance. He has an Assoeiate degree in general music and 8acheJors of Music from Nonhem lllmo1s UnM!/'Slty, pate in Contact us for a free price quote. and has comp/ered the majonty ofSWdies for a Masten; of Science m MUSIC EclucatJon from the Un,l'l!/Slly of11/iflOIS. s,nce the micl 1970's he functJoned as Chorus Director for mul!Jple balbershop harmony ensembles Chroughout the counuy, and Sprance Travel Services was employed by the lnter1ochen Arts Academy ,n the late 1980's and Better Service at Lower Prices Walt Disney World ,n 1990. He Is cummr/y employed as School SeMCe Mansge, Bl Mar.;ha/1 MUSIC in Allen Parl<, MIChigan. Phone (718) 497-6420/ Fax (718) 497-1801 His reenact,ng career start.eel In the early 1990's in Pott E-mail: [email protected] Huroo, Michigan and w1lh his b3cllgrouncl In percussion ,r was easy to fall 1n as a French Manne cln,mmer. s,nce then he has tunc1,onec1 as 55-37 Metropolitan Ave., Ridgewood, NY 11385-1202 Tambour Mil)Of al several latge ieenactmenr ewnts. 12 Ancient Tunes The Committee o ifers &'Drummers
By Bill Pace Assis1an1, were read: It was generally agreed that active mem "There never was anything started that did bership at this point be extended to senior Organized: Sunday, February 21, not smoke out any number of ·againsters· who Ancient units, since they are most vitally con 1965 Fairfield Fire House #I, will stay awake at night. if necessary, 10 think up cerned with the problems of musters and their Fairfield, Connecticut some kind of wrench to throw in; anything at all, sponsorship. Junior Ancient units will be asked out of pure selfishness and jealousy to stop to sit in on the meetings as associate members. epresented: Ancient Mariners, progress and prevent men from doing as they Membership shall consist of units which Bethpage Colonials. Bishop please." are currently acceptable as "Ancient"• fife and Seabury, Colonial Greens, Mr. Moeller's thoughts on the object of drum groups which use as their primary Connecticut Rebels. Fairfield, that 1945 meeting, which was an effort to orga instrumentation the fife, snare drum, and Gennantown, Governors Foot nize the Conn. Ancients: "rudimental" two-stick bass drumming. The RGuard, Lancraft, Minute Men, Regimentals, Sons ·'There are innumerable thoughts, ideas officers are to serve as the membership of Liberty, 17th Connecticut Volunteers, Village and opportunities for us Ancients to consider and committee on a temporary basis. Volunteers, Westbrook. enlarge upon. I think there should be two infor On finances ... Introduction: For several years, many mal meetings and all of us who could should be For the moment this will be handled on an anempts have been made to bring members of there and I believe these meetings would be free infonnal basis and the secretary will calJ on the Ancient community closer together. During from anything controversial but, on the contrary, some of the corps which were present at the first the 1964 muster season several members of create great unity and enthusiasm." meeting if mailing and printing costs become senior corps talked about an infonnal gathering Following these remarks a discussion on high. To begin with, much of this expense will over the 1964-1965 winter for the purpose of at musters and how 10 improve them was interrupt be donated by members of the group who are in least exchanging ideas on how to help improve ed for the purposes of selecting a temporary advertising and the graphic arts. musters in general. Some of the men who began name and defining objectives. On the future ... to ''talk up" the idea of a meeting were: Ken The name, as agreed to by those present: lt was agreed by all that, at the very least. Dailing, Fairfield; Tom Lazor, Ancient Mariners; THE COMMITTEE of FIFERS & THE COMMITTEE was a temporary organiza Frank Grossman, Bethpage Colonials; Dave DRUMMERS tion which would seek to provide aid and guid Clark, Westbrook; and Bill Pace, New York II was agreed that the following phrase ance in the field of ancient fife and drum. At Regimentals. lnfonnal telephone conversations should be used on any stationery the commiuee best, THE COMMITTEE will become a continu• brought the date of the meeting to February 21st. might print. A design for a leuerhead was sub ing organization to support and promote the The Fairfield Fife & Drum Corps offered its mitted by Tom Lazor and accepted. musical fonn and all its ramifications. facilities for the first meeting. Here is the phrase: On the second meeting ... At the outset it was agreed that business "Dedicated to the perpetuation of early It will be held again in Fairfield since the would be conducted in an orderly. but infonnal American martial music.'' town is easily accessible from both upper manner• this to be the spirit of the meeting itself. Once the name was agreed upon, a discus Connecticut and New York. The date is Sunda) Therefore. the report of the first meeting is set sion of general purpose took place. II was decid afternoon, June 8, 1965. The secretary will send down in this fashion. ed that these four points were the most important reminder no1ices. Meeting Report: Ken Dailing infonna!Jy immediate goals of the group: THE COMMJTIEE has temporarily called the meeting 10 order at 3: 15 p.m. by stat• I. Propagate fife and drum music to all. decided to meet four times a year. Therefore. the ing briefly that one of the most important aims of 2. Help promote and improve musters. June get-together will be the second meeting for the get-together was a discussion of ways and 3. Encourage young fifers and drummers. 1965. means to promote and increase musters. 4. Encourage the fonnation of new Once again. the major issue of the day As discussion got underway, Ken was Ancient fife and drum units. became the prime topic •· musters and how 10 nominated for the post of chainnan, which he There were some major points on which improve them. accepted. A short time later Bill Pace accepted THE COMMITfEE voiced agreement in terms Hayden Fuller of Westbrook said that it is the position of secretary and prior to the close of of what a fraternal fife and drum group should a great help to the host corps to know how man) the meeting Ed Olsen was elected vice-chainnan. "not" be. groups will be attending a muster. Dave Clark The three men were advised by those present to Most important ... said that they - Westbrook - would appreciate serve as temporary officers. plan the next meet• "THE COMMITTEE not sanction or pro early replies when the invitations are sent out. ing and infonn the Ancient community of what mote any fonn of contests. This would defeat Hayden stressed that numbers are important had taken place during the meeting. the very idea of fraternaJism which we seek to when it comes to the food and planning the for To set the tone of the meeting, excerpts foster and wreck havoc with the associations mal ceremonies. from a speech made in 1945 by S.A."Gus" which some of us support.'' Members of the Fairfield Muster Moeller. and reported in the Drummers On membership ... Committee felt that same way on this point and Ancient Tunes I 3 asked the cooperation of all units in returning Another area which THE COMMITTEE born by Fairfield. their invitation reply cards with either a "yes" or felt needed some auention right away was in the Note from the secretary: "no." F.W. Alexander of Fairfield reported that realm of publicity for individual corps and for Future reports will not be as extensive as as of the date of the meeting, fourteen replies had musters. Tom Lazor and Hayden Fuller are co this one. It was felt that the first one should be as been received from a total number of twenty chairmen of the first working sub-committee - comprehensive as possible 10 provide informa eight invitations. The Public Relations Group. They will organize tion for corps which did not attend the meeting. To encourage units to notify 1he host corps a sample press kit for distribution at the June whether or not they will attend, it was suggested meeting. Bill Pace that the order of appearance on the field be deter It was agreed that at the next meeting, Secretary mined by the date of the reply. Fairfield now fol each corps which is represented will be asked 10 345 East 81st Street lows a system like this and Dave Clark said donate S2.00 for the cost of refreshments. At the New York. New York ❖ Westbrook is considering adopting it. first gathering the cost of beer and hot dogs was This was also suggested for Deep River, but seems impractical now under the present set up, since this muster, as opposed to Fairfield and Westbrook. is run as an "open" muster and any corps at all is welcome 10 take pan in the official SWEETHEART FLUTES festivities. Registration has, therefore. been on the day of the muster in the past. 32 South Maple Street, Enfield, CT 06082 Because of the size of the Deep River FIFES: Colonial & Civil War models; Cloos repros; muster, a great many problems arise. It was Folk & Modern ''engineered''-in many keys explained that two of the most important are an FLUTES: Irish styl~keyed or keyless; Baroque, and Renaissance overburdened committee and lack of economic support on the pan of townspeople. WHISTLES: D & C-For Jigs & Reels! In an effort to provide support for the Send for Brochure and/or Antique & Used flute list Deep River muster and offer constructive Tel: (860) 749-4494 E-mail: Ralphsweetfiiaol.com suggestions to 1he corp:., a letter has been sent to On the Web: www.sweetheartflute.com them from THE COMMITIEE of FIFERS & DRUMMERS. The suggestions for Deep River. made and accepted by the group at the Fairfield meeting of February 21, 1965, are contained in the lener what Are Your Drum co7s which is attached to this report. Ed Olsen gave a report on a proposed Archives for Fife and Drum which Wesleyan Travel Plans for 2006? University in Connecticut is preparing to under take. Ed is working closely wi1h members of 1he Let Us Plan Your 2006 Trips University faculty and has asked that members of THE COMMITTEE submit material for the pro on a Cruise! ject. It is 1he intent of the Archives 10 become Years of experience and world-wide contacts enable us the permanent history of fife and drum by to arrange performances for your Corps with housing copies of old music, old instruments, Local Musical Units in such exotic locales as newspaper and magazine stories, photographs and histories of old corps and old time Ancients Bermuda, Jamaica & the Bahamas who have mad significant contributions to 1he or closer to home at movement. Anyone who would like more infor Kennedy Space Center and Nova Scotia mation on this very fine project should contact: Ed Olsen Make it more FUN on a cruise! Horse Hill Westbrook Co11nectic11t Est. /972 z Contact Sal Chiaramonte A FA Ill/. I Bl Sf\ .SS ~ THE COMMJTTEE voted to lend all the at 860-669-5697 ,::. .. - •'-=---' "" support it can to this project at Wesleyan ' A,\r.;..1¥1,...... ~~ , University. or 800-827-7779 ext 631 $1'1:111! It was suggested that George Carroll of or Williamsburg be sent copies of this report and [email protected] asked to cover our new organization in The Drummers Assistant. We decided lhal education and perpetuation needed lo become primary themes in the mission of lhe corps. These two PERPETUATIONi principles are complementary in terms of what tools are needed to accomplish lhem... and steps toward accomplishment of these OURl\flSSION dual missions will also support future recruit ing and financial efforts. Importantly, lhis corps further. increase in emphasis on these Lancraft mis Plannin_g for Serious planning began for the future sions will also support the perpetuation of Lancraff's Future of the corps and its corporate mission. Under the fife and drum activity in general. Focuses on Education the leadership of fifer George Meinsen, then We established a committee to increase President ofLancraft, a corporate five year participation in our nearby communities and to Programs. plan was drawn up and reviewed by lhe generate local publicity about corps activities. By Bill Maling members. In addition lo We decided lo update, improve and expand lhe corps' literature pack- age,
corps are there• 60,., many fife and dru~ ~f~~,u~:;~RAFT !~i!f~n· the Unit~ States today· in the United St I 5 bership C os There are aboUt SO co1.sed right here in is Fife & Drum or & DRUMMING ... AND FACT'SYABOUT About 25"/o ofthefflU:: . any other stale1 Conoce\icut, more . in s are 1..ancra forced to face - E,NTLY ASKED QUESTIONS aogr:~~JS HISTORIC MUSIC ACTIVlT II-known Connecu~t corp . M FREQU oNf'IECTICUT'S JJ.tpORTANT R fif and drum tune? we Th i\n(:ient Manners, some very basic C What is tbe most famous i e Stony Creek, e Mattatuck questions about drum corps! Ii, d drum tuJ1C is WMI is a fife and famoUS ue an , drum and bugle corp probably the most Ii h was first played by the very raroous fi,e, . h . ~ lhe future. The . r •zation that usually haS Yan.tu J)oOdlt. w ,c . War 10 make ~vne , Old Guard wh1c IS It is a marching o garu_ al in51Nmen1s A high . . h before the Jw10lut1onar)' f the U _s ,vm~ They w~ bright red I~ Lancraft Fife and ,,,...,. fmus1c fl and Bnus ·a1 TfL tuasbowo onlytwo•,r-.0 h ' anancestoroflhe ute funofthecoloo• rm 11 d pted yan.tee Washmgton, · . . Drum Corps tailed coats and whrte wigs1 pitched fife. wlli\cii~s of rope tension dr\llDS. defiance. the ~eri~\a~::oic sangI reached such a piccolo, and twO -~ n and drum corps were used J)oOd/e as their very o ,,..... like Lancrdt might ha~e 2$ point in the late snare and bass; F~ e the RevolutionatY War_~ . The Spirit of'16 shoWS a . A large corps M st corps range ,n s by roilitary uruts ID hi g. and for signaling m The famous p1CUlfe rthi·s early period This playing memben v°ou can see fife and 1 L990's. For lhc pre the Civil War for mare :re and drum calls and cwo drummers o [)oOd1 1010 40 ~,:i,:ier • at life and drum 111u the field. tntbosedays, fthedayinarmye&IIIP fifer fi knOwnasYankee ~• corps m i--es or vious decade, mem regulated all the. even!;1 _1os ronounced .. eorel pain~ was ~ ed by Archibald Willard m "e. ibe word co~ P when II was paint . al Exp<>sition. WMt is a mustu1 bership had been lu• 1S76fortbeCentcnm ~ ~' thering of fife declining and lhc Muster is a "-ord for a ga ,_., held What is a (ifef • lei. d of event haS .,....n future existence of . nd instrument that haS • corps This n tSOO's Th . cut Since the late ch the organization was Toe fife is • Yl()()den ":ix finger holes that make Connecn h Id in our state ea hole to blow ,nto, and vercd and uncovered several ~ustr~yin July in {)ec-pj being questioned. various notes as they~ co or keys like a flute largest is he\ • tional mUStcr l(U1i The fife has no mouthpiece f boUt 2 ½ octaves Toi1 popular intern&rps. Toere is a panl Age and health issues O The B flat fife~•. ~ge :hlill sounding 10 ftfe _and ~~o:wed by individual had cost Lancraft 1.n the high registcr 11 ~:;{ the fife could be 50 by each corps many of iL~ long time, This high pitch ~ n od above the sounds ~~ al: ~ I ng d151ances. 1 Ii" !i,;:e is • buge, loud. fife and m weU known mem beard over o . formation on inng. ofe&nllO? fire. For : :~e WWW beafifcr com ,nerwards\ bers... and looking at visit the 1ntcresung I ... future. probable per ~-- What is a rope drum! ing stArt' sonnel attrition fortold oodeo shell drums are Wbere did fifing and drumm . th a stark outlook unless The drumheads o_f :;;the sliding leather tightened by pulling ln the old days, the corps appeared in something changed. The first ftfe_and ~:OO•s The Swiss still have a ears, located on t~r Nowadays, plastic Swi~land III the r, ·. al called FOSl,oc},t, During the next drumheads were in n. The snare drums famous fife and drum esuv ear drumheads are more comm<> n the t,oaom bead held in tho city ofBasel e&eh y few year~. serious have ~string$," called snares. ~nd The larger . peared in Western ll·ooal association r« efforts at recruiting that give them a ru:-Y• -~=m• sound and are Later, fifing and drummmg;:yed in the United (J there a na basseddru~Sh':': mallets. Europe !',(any ofthe runes ~ [reland, drummen? "retread" fifers and play wit :c!ien • •nail from Englanu. States are ongi Y . Th were many tnilitary The Company ofFifers and drummers produced Yes. . · .,.__ C°"' drumS in use todaY by fife and Scotland and France_ elore ·a1 America and • nal assoc1a11on ""' very promising i.uoy ofthe rope tb r--n fife and drum corps in co n1 the nauo . rbrary in Iv some rps are made by e """.,..... - • l museum and music I dd•'"_. drulll CO ed right here in Connecticut thtoug):t the Civil War . If you want a '"""' results and increased the CompanY, locat. cooperman com Connect1~t can view their "' information. you«:~ aoddrum or enlhusiasm for further WWW companyo.. ue development. This influx -~V:is:i~tth:e:ir~w:e:b~S:ll~e:WWW=:~;,;;:;::::-:::::::::= - -~~~;~~=Jincluding lhe of "old timers" who had l e~tablishing some membership goals design and produc-L------7 played as youngsters. but been inactive for and needed recruiting programs. lhe plan also tion of a new brochure. The two.fold. lhrce- years. brought in more then a half dozen looked at broader corporate issues such as lhe panel brochure was designed primarily as a members who were eager to help grow the lhe corps' basic mission. business 1001 to provide Ancient Tlffies 15 I
background information. winds. A third document was presentation at the Francis Walsh The next piece was a prepared for use in con Intermediate School in Branford included recruiting brochure of a junction with band and chorus members. Lancraft is making similar design, bul with a Lancraft's a deliberate effort to reach out to the local focus on description of "in music community, particularly to those many corps activities. The text ex-band flute playen; who might have played gives information on fif. school" in high school years ago and might be inter ing and rudimental pro ested in marching again drumming ... making grams. The fife is a largely obsolete outside brief comparisons lo This piece. our activity and is not taught or used in music forms and Lancraft schools. For every ex-fife player out there in instruments the reader News ... the genera] population, there are probably might be more famil Scholastic dozens of ex-high school tlute playen.. iar with, such ru. Edition. is shown Although they may not share our fifing cul bands and tlutes. in reduced size in ture, only a small percentage of them would the layout of lhis arti have to be recruited to make a huge addition cle. It is 8 1/2" x 11 ". to our activity. We are u-ying to reach out and Wbit.h Connwicut corps iJ DIDrovP. 1 two sides. and is primar find them and educate them as to the interest P cco1.o 0";r 11IF. FLfRE. The t.ar,cr&A fife and Orur IN HIOH scZ':J/,f'{'NDS ily about the fifing and ing history and the opportunity to play and s in Connccucul lO be il'E/te CO rp . • · \881 D.w,n.fOU,tr~'D drumming activity in gen march again. from ns beginnlD~ ,n .,,.,...IE// """ founded in lhe f11r ~a..e YO(IR ~ 44C,r ~ era], and Connecticut's This author lives in Ohio where there is '-•s t,cen based ,n N 'OOLD-tYS? and ,~ 171£1..,tN, important role in this historic essentiall} "zero" recent fife and drum history Lanen!\ performs 20 t »:_Ru,.,c~;r F"IF£ AND music form. It is an inexpen so there are no ex-fifers to recruit. The fife Connecticut 1,.aJ1C1' 10 'leo.,,es NE:,~':::_s sive "copy quality" handout since section of Camp Chase Fifes and Drums of adult men and "'' 'IIEJts. uP ng. talent hundreds of copies are given out to includes several self taught fifers from the welcome you ,eek 00 ToundaY ru ... ,.~..;;;..c pttcticcs once a "' school children. The piece is also reenactment community. Several of the fifers hall in Nonh Haven very useful for the genera] public. have degrees in music and have been high many of whom are unfamiliar with fif. school band directors. The only other corps in ing and drumming, even in Connecticut! Ohio, "The Spirit of '76" (see AT lssue #114) m Abo~ part of its plan. Lancraft pro has an all female fife section. all of whom actively sought "in school" performance were tlute player. with band and orchestra opportunities. The performances range from backgrounds. The point is. many candidate patriotic occasions where a mini-corps per ex-flute players arc out there and represent a rum forms. to class room sessions where the relatively untapped market for fifen;. tunes are played and their histo() described (comirwed on page 17) rhe by three or four members. In 2005 :r. ., s represent! K)\11 Wbat do ..,..• •ncrah's UDLIOrtD alone. Lancraft has already done five )WO .. ·r, nns are modeled of these school performances. two in Lancrat\'s "buff and blueb ~~... e Washington's icld .:, rm, wom Y """'':' w Madison. two in Branford and one at\er the ww•0 . the Rcvoluuo!WY er ssion army officers dunng in Guilford. After our performance . 50\dicrs in our area wore at the Mary Murphy School in The eonuncntal ArmY red trim. Their blue uniform coats Wtlh . colors, red c:oais Branford, we were very gratified to mus1c1ans• · "''Orc the opposneId be quickly located receive letters from the students with blue trim. 50 th: goals The type ofbat by their officers_ to ..., s1 .~m It baS three with more questions. A Lancraft -~" weassiscall..,atn La=... . eel up and was ,;ery member responded in writing to sides of the bnm tu~ America's colonial days com[I\On headgear UI this clear expression of interest. The student attendees at the call us aJ rs and wish to CO,IIOCI Ll1/JCTarft • Ifyou 203-789-9796. Please v,s11 our web stte at mcrsis WWW tancrat\fd com. 0pcnies a Lancnfl Fife & Drum Corps ~orical p() Box 18, 61 Oark Ave. tel.I Nor1b Daven, CT 06473-0018
The brochure targets ex-fifers as well as band and orchestra members or ex members, who played the piccolo or wood- 16 Ancient Tunes A C A L L T 0 Bath, Ohio Reserve Historical Society and is similar in concept Iened by the urgent call of the to Sturbridge Village in Massachusetts. The Western fifes and drums, people rushed Reserve was actually part ofConnecticut back in to the village green to hear colonial days. When the colonies were fonned, the impassioned speeches by the western borders were left blank, since the settlers OIVRWlR town's leaders and military didn't know how far west the land went - thus it recruiLers. "Be a patriot and included the nonhem pan of what is now Ohio. In Ip stamp ouL the rebellion!," 1786, Connecticut gave up the far west lands but shouted spokesmen for the Union Army. When local retained this part of Ohio, including a section called RETURNS rebel sympathizeTS made their appeals for the defense "Firelands" which was reserved for Connecticut of the Confederacy. they were drowned out by boos citizens whose homes were burned by British troops and cat calls from the angry crowd and chanLS of in the Revolutionary War. TOIW,E "Long live our Union!" Youngsters broke away from Hale Farm is named after Jonathan Hale, a their parenlS and ran to the town hall where they Connecticut farmer who settled in the Western signed up for militia duty. Shouldering rifles, they Reserve in 1810. His family home was built in 1827 stepped in line and proudly marched about the village and his family added barns, a sugar house and other green to orders of experienced soldiers. outbuildings. Several historic homes and commercial FARM& An event in 1861? Not quite. The rifles were buildings of the 1830 10 1850's vintage were moved
Ed Robertson (wheelchair) is joined by his son Mark (ne:rt to him behind the bass drum) and other members VIl,l.!GE the Camp Chase Fifes and Drums. By Bill Mali11g
wooden, the recruits visiting boys and by the historical society from girls and the soldiCTS reenactors. The original locations in Ohio to weekend of June 4-5, 2005 was one of sites in the village and several living history events al Hale around the green. Hale Farm Farm & Village, located about halfway is cenainly a great venue for between Cleveland and Akron. Ohio. a Civil War fife and drum Adding 10 the authenticity of the patri corp~ Lo perform! otic ·'Call to Arms" event, was the Camp Chase had a music of the Camp Chase Fifes and Drums of special guest that day. Edward Robenson is a patriot Columbui;. Ohio. who 63 years ago answered his county's call to ann\ Hale Farm & Village is part of Lhe Western for World War II. Ed is the father of Mark Ancient Tunes 17 I A RM s (continuedfrompage 15) The Lancraft plan aJso considered intemaJ Robertson, a member of the Camp Chase music activities, he teaches private students. corps issues that needed to be examined as part drum line. Ed joined the U.S. Anny Air teaches at summer band camps, plays profes of the increased emphasis on perpetuation. Corps in 1942 and served through 1945. Hjs sionally with the Swingtime Big Band and is Changes were made in financiaJ and corporate skill as a prewar "ham" radio operator was an adjudicator for the Ohio Music Educators structure for ease of future fund raising. Feeling one reason he Association. that new, younger recruits were likely to read spent his service Mark is very pas music, more emphasis was put on organizing Lime working on sionate about rudimental our music "book.'' For instance, until 2000, the radar develop drumming. "Rudimental Lancraft Drum Book was only in the traditionaJ menl, mosUy drumming is the key to "letter/number" notation that had been in suc based at Eglin development of strong cessful use for many years. The whole repertoire Field in Florida. percussion fundamen in the Snare Drum Book is now in standard Radar technolo tals," he said recently ...I music notation ... making it much easier for new gy was in its 1111111•••••------.J teach kids that the basic drummer members to learn and memorize reper infancy in the 1940' s and later proved to be a upstrokes, downstrokes and taps are the toire. Jack McGuire became Lancraft President significant factor in helping the allied nations building blocks of rudiments and the basis of in 2004 and is continuing both to implement old to win the war. Ed is now 90 years old and good technique. r was so proud of my 3rd and to develop new programs. Jack McGuire lives in Norton, Ohio gmders when they played Co1111ecticu1 explains, ·'Feeling that we had to further Mark Robertson joined Camp Chase Halftime at our percussion concert in the expand our outreach education efforts in our spring of this year." own communities, Lancraft will participate in Mark's first visit to the New England Adult Education Programs run by locaJ school fife and drum scene was with Camp Chase in districts starting in September 2005". A course their 1999 performance at will be offered by Lancraft for six evening DRAM. ln 2003 in North sessions at our haJl on "The History and Haven. Mark had an oppor Instruction on the Fife". tunity to praetJce with the Students will receive a practice fife and a Lancraft drum tine. "What a three-ring binder containing historicaJ material kick it was to play \\i on the fife and the history of many of the tunes those guys. Talk played by Lancraft. The target students are about powerful an adult flute. piccolo and woodwind players of pure rudimental all skill levels who may be unfamiliar with the drumming1" he fife and drum activity in our area. said enthus1asli At this writing, we really don't know cally. •·1 was so how many people might sign up for this proud when Mite course. What we do know however. is that Moriarty (retired information on Lancraft and the fife and drum Lancraft snare drum activity has appeared in the Adult Education mer) came up to me brochures that are mailed to eve11 home in after practice and sai three surrounding communities. We will repon that I was OK for a back to A11c1e111 Times readers on our experience guy from Ohio!" with this adult education program. If this Camp Chase program is successful, any fife and drum corps perfonned again at should consider participation in this type of Hale Farm on August program in their own local community. 14th at the annuaJ Ci Lancraft hopes that Ancient Times readers War reenactment. For will find this article interesting and useful for in 1999. Mark has had drumming lhrummfog more information on Hale Fann and ViUage, their own corps' outreach. We encourage you in his veins for many years and recaUs seeing visit their web site at www.wrhs.org/hale to generate your own material along the lines Frank Arsenault perform in a University of farm. ❖ of what we have done in the Lancraft News... Akron percussion workshop when Mark was 8111 Mar,~ is drum hne member ofboth Scholastic Editio11 ... The more exposure we all in 6th grade. In high school he passed bis Catrf) Chase and Lanctall. can achieve in the school systems, the more NARD test. Mark is a 1979 gmduate of the future of the activity we all Jove can be Miami University in Oxford, Ohio with a BS assured. ❖ in Music Education as a Percussion Major. He teaches music at KirUand High School B//1 Mah~ IS the Chairman ofthe LBnctatt RIKJfUIIJ~ and Pubf,c,ry Conmctee. and a Life Member of The Col1¥)8ny (Ohio) and has been a band director al orFifers Bnd DMrners. E-mail: drums•~.ccm KirUand and other schools. Among many 18 Ancient Tunes
ome time ago. it was with other fifers and drummers. reported that yet another It is with no small amount of remorse fife and drum corps had that we have to report the loss of another ceased to function in the Midwest corps supporter. Elizabeth Ginther, Midwest I was wrong. mother of Midnight Rider Director Rob This writer is very happy to report Ginther, and Drum Major Drew Ginther, suc that the Port Huron Fife and Drum cumbed to the ravages of cancer this summer Corps (now the Belletra Flfre et as well. She was a staunch supporter of fifers Tambour, Troupe de la Marine) is and drummers and a gentle soul. It was a alive and making great strides in per privilege and a deep honor to have helped fecting their particular brand of fifing carry her to final resting place as a represen and drumming. If they haven't con tative of aU fifers and drummers. The 1st Michigan lost one of its most tacted the Company for membership, by Mark Logsdon they soon will be. They are all excit- ardent supporters three years ago in April. It [email protected] ed about seeing other corps as well. was decided that, while we weren't expertS in The 1st Michlgan Colonials had the i,vwH!l stmichiga11.com the medical field, we certainly could collect pleasure of performing with the Port experts in !he musical field to record an Another Corps that has been making Huron group this past summer at the album of Mary Logsdon's favorite melodies "Fifes and Drums on the Maumee" event stirring music is a new 4H Fife and Drum on fifes and drums. The CD has been deliv held at Ft. Meigs, in Perrysburg, Ohio. Corps in out state Michigan. They, too, have ered and is now for sale. Do you like the had the fun and adrenaline rush of having They have promised LO atlend some 1st sounds of Downfall ofParis. Kingdom Coming, Michigan rehearsals this winter to get some made their first successful performance this Battle Hymn, Dixie and Yankee Doodle? If past summer. They want, as weU, to attend a ideas to use for themselves as far as practice you do. then you will love this offering for practice just so that they can get in contact techniques. that and more than two dozen other fife and
All profitS from the sale of this CD will go to the Gail Purtan Ovarian Cancer Research Fund at the Barbara Ann Karmanos Cancer Institute in Detroit, Michigan. The mission of the Fund 1s to search for rhe early detection, treannenr and eventual cure for Ov:man Cancer. the most deadly of all women's gynecological diseases.
Retail Price - $20.00 Shipping - $3.00 Make checks payable to- ! st Michigan Colonial Fife and Drum Corps
CONTACT US AT: [email protected] For ordenng and wholesale price mformation. Ancient Tunes I 9 Nutcrackers, etc. drum favorites. There are also a couple of musi VR CaJI860-4~6-1347askfor cal surprises on the CD as well. The CD - by MO~ Mzke or Eileen "Love Forever. The Sweetness of Mary" has been a labor of love since the planning stages • Drum Corps Nutcrackers Nutcrackers In Drum Corps Uniforms earlier in 2004. It is well worth the $20.00 ask • Ancient Drum Ornaments ing price. Shipping is a nominal $300 Incidentally, we have been able to work it out so e Fife Key Chains that $17.00 of each $2000 sale will go toward • Hand Turned Pens, etc. ~rso. Ovarian Cancer Research at a major research facility here in the Detroit area. The remaining $3.00 will be used for replacing the sold CD. Special thanks to the Ist Michigan for it's total support of the project A special thanks goes out J. H. LaPierre1 Jr. & Son1 LLC to the members of the other fife and drum corps Electrical Contractors who invested so much of their time and talent Serving All of Connecticut and Western Massachusetts to help on the project. There were representa 24 Hour Emergency Service tives from the alumni cadre of the Ist Michigan. * Industrial * Industrial Commercial Boiler Controls Great Lakes Ancient Field Musick, Midnight * Commerclal * Machine Tool/Motor Control Sevlces Riders, D3 (Detroit Dirty Dawgs) and * Residential * Voice/Data Systems Tippecanoe. Also in attendance were two mem * Aerial Truck Service * Fiber Optic Services bers of a rather famous military ftfe and drum Telephone (860) 654-1981 Conn. License 102986 corps based in northern Virginia. {This writer Fox (860) 654-1982 Mass. License E 19419 assumes you know who he is talking about and Win~sor Locks, Connecticut that he has not violated the agreement made with the United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.) The CD was recorded the Friday after Thanksgiving November 26.2004. One of the interesting stories was that on the Tuesday previ _YFLUTE ous to the recording date, one of the 1st Michigan alumni fifers had gone through mas tectomy surgery. She was determined to do the COMPANY recording. however. and so she drove in from Grand Rapids (almost 4 hours away) stood for 4 hours to record the 29 tracks and then drove home. .. Skip Healy Amazing, isn't it? The love extended by the members of Fife & Flute Maker this elite group who did such a good job of per forming on relatively short notice is obvious in Featuring hand-crafted instruments the musicianship exhibited on the CD. Enjoy the music. Enjoy the fact that you ofthe finest quality. are helping with Ovarian Cancer research when Also specializing in repairs and restoration you buy the CD. Perhaps it will help someone you know. of modern and wooden Fifes and Flutes lf you have any questions, contact drum [email protected] (Mark Logsdon) for On the web: www.skiphealy.com album information. ❖ Phone/Fax(401)885-2502 1776 Revolution Street East Greenwich RI 02818 20 Ancient Tunes
It'sin Pumkin Creek (From The Company ofFifers the & Drummers Music Book Vol. I) By Sanford A." Gus" Moeller Book! Fife by Dominick C11ccin ne of my favorite Snare Dnun runes is Pumpkin Creek. II was writ Bass Drum ten by the leg endary Gus Moeller and appears in Fife Company Book I. What I really love about this chart is that the composer wrote both the melody and the drum ming. S.Dr. In all honesty it is not a rune I would consider difficult, yet it baffles me that so many people have heard it B.Dr. bu1 can't play it. To me it has the perfect little melody and is the type of tune you 10 find yourself humming as you walk Fife down the street. The drumming is solid. In the 2nd strain there is a clever use of the ruff. (Make sure your drummers take the time to learn it correctly.) S.Dr. If your corp~ is looking for a fun rune LO add to your repertoire this winter B.Dr. I think this may be what you need. I should also mention that there is a very nice drum part written by Hugh I ◄ Quigley. I prefer Moeller's version Fife because he is the man who wrote the melody. If you should happen to like the Quigley part, go for it. Both drum S.Dr. charts are definitely worth learning. Pumpkin Creek can be found in The Company of Fifers & Drummers B.Dr. Music Book, Vol.I (Fife on page 13. drum on page 40.) Music Editors note: Although no bass drum music appears in the original music published by Gus Moeller, I have included it in this column. Having talked to a number of bass drummers, I believe this is the cor rect version. We apologize if this part is not exactly how some drummers think it should be played! lf you have comments, suggestions, the history of a song or a favorite tune you'd like to see in this column, feel free to contact me at [email protected] ❖ .Ancient Tunes 21 I IheCompany
by Dominick C11ccia
FEATURING Old Memories is loaded with many Jigg is an exclamation point to the track. tunes that will sound familiar, but that you Great music! might not have played. I will describe some Track 20: Dusty Windowsill -- For OLD of the tracks l have particularly enjoyed: me the gem of the album. A great melody Track 1: Carry Me Back/St. arranged by John Benoit, and a drum part by MEMORIES Patrick's Day -- What a wonderful way to Tom Emerick that catches the spirit of the Performed by begin a CD. It starts out with just fife, tune. What more could you want? Richard Benoit & adding drums on the second tune. A very Track 27: Coventry Carol -- As a Thomas Emerick Plus spirited and energetic start to the album. closer to the recording we hear the beautiful friends and family Track 3: Minot Quickstep/I en Lee Zuidema approached me in Jul) with the idea of a... --embling a ma~-;ed corps of Company members to perfonn at Lhe Westbrook Muster m celebration of The Companr's 40th anniveNI); m) first inclinaLion was to run away a, fast as possi ble. How could I possibly organize a huge group of free thinking fifers and drum mers from all over to come together in just four shon weeks and play a muster \tand piece'> Was I nuts -- or was Lee nuts for even m;king?! Compa11)40ih l'OrJ>S pcrfomung on stand. However. when I thou!!ht more about 11, the idea actually sec~med pretty cool. Could we do it'> Could we come together as the true mus1C1ans that we think we are and pla> a<; an ensemble? Puning aside all politics and individual preferences was not gomg to be an easy task. Lee suggested that we start with the corps invited 10 Westbrook. and pa,-;ed their contact info on to me -- I wa., off and running. To rep~nt The Company best. the place 10 start had to be The Company Music Booki, and if we picked the tun~ that most corps played and used standard drum beatings to tho~ tune-. we might knows it. Two down. Taking a deep breath, I looked through just pull off the music aspect. I sat dwown and Then I thought about the stand piece the Company Books. contemplated things for a let the different tun~ from all the Jam se:..,1ons da) or so. had a few conver.auons with some run through my mind. Of course the first tune itself. Lately, many corps have been playing forever on sLand. ot good! Not wanting that fifers, and finally felt I had something that that jumped out was "Downfall of Paris". 'o would \\Ork. We would start with "Sisters". problem with that one -- everyone knows it to happen, I set about arranging a stand piece that would leave people wanting more. with an Army 2/4 drum break lo help with the and it would be a great rune to leave the field tempo change and then into 'The Girl I left with. One tune chosen! And we need 10 So many tunes to chose from -- yel we Behind Me" followed by "Drums and Guns." showc.ise our history -- how about "Rally needed tunes thal everyone could grasp with Short. ~,\eet and fun to play. 'Round the Flag"? -- a great tune for entering out a chance for a run through before we the field - patriotic, historic, and everyone played together. I sent out an information packet to all Ancient Times 2 3 I then we were pret ble. lt felt good -- really good. ty much set to The true meaning ofThe Company of make it happen al Fifers and Drummers was very evident on this Westbrook. beautiful day in August. We came together to To be hon celebrate 40 years of the music that brings us est I have no idea together and the friendships that we hold so ~ what happened dear -- that we share in this passion we call thar day on the Fife and Drum.❖ muster field at Westbrook. Before we went on stand I remember running around answering questions. I also know that Dave Hooghkirk. our drum sergeant., Company Th.Jstee the invited corps and then posted the invite on The Company website as well as and past president., was handling how we FifeandDrum.com. would start the tunes in a simpler manner than I had suggested. I heard Joe Knowing that we would have a 101 of Compan,1· people interested, I limited the participates 10 Mooney announce us. I President Joe heard the tap off and Mooney just two members from each corps, as well as announcing 171e all Life Members of the Company. lndividual then the music took me Compan_,·-40th corp,-. members were welcomed if their corps wasn't away. All I know is that over 120 already being represented. A few questions musicians came together and went on stand as from the different corps got answered, and the number three corps with absolutely no practice or discussion and played as an ensem- r------ Individual Membership Application Please check all appropriate boxes: 0 $20 Individual Membership, US. 0 $10 lndil'idual Membership. Ju11io1; US. 0 $35 Family Membership. US. 0 $30 Individual Membership, Canada, lmernarional □ $/000 Life Membership; for a donation of$1000 or more rhe company will establish a Life Membership in the name ofthe dono,: (Only ONE donor name per life Membership, please!) 0 I wo11ld like to learn about flexible paymellf schedule for the $/000 life membership 0 / H'Ould like to learn abow corps discoumsfor 10 or more individual memberships. 0 This is a gift membership from: Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Tel: Email: Website: Co,ps Affiliarion: lnsmmzent: 0 Fife O Snare O Bass Drum 0 Major O Color Guard O Other Coaps Membership Appllcatlon CotpsName: C0111 act: ------Address: City: State: Zip: Te I: ------Email: Website: Member Ages: to years Hometown: Music Style: 0 Colonial O Cfril War O Traditio11al O Other 1n strum e nt s: 0 Keyless Fife O Rope Tension Drums O Other ------Uniform Description: 0 Colonial O Cfril War O Other Description: Company Delegate: Tel: Alternate Delegate: Tel: S1xmsoring Co,ps Sig11 ar11 re: ------Title: Submitted By: ote: Please submit your application (origi11al or photo copied) to: Membership, The Company of Fifers & Drummers PO Ba-r 277. Ivo,)'ton, CT 06442-0277 along with a photo ofyour corps in parade dress and a check for $80.00. Your membership status is and will be based 011 the mlidity of the above informarion. ------Ancient Tunes 2 5 COMPANY MEEI'ING DATES AU meetings will be held at The Company Headquaners in lvoryton, CT and are open to all Company members. Executive Board meetings require the anendance of all Executive Committee members. Committee Chairs are invited and strongly encouraged 10 attend. Meeting dates and times are as follows: Nov 18, 2005: Exec Comminee meeting: 10 am Company General meeting: l pm Gala Social and Jollification: 2 pm Feb 18, 2006: Exec Committee meeting: 10 am 've been thinking about how communication to members of a corps has Company General meeting: I pm been simplified since the age of email with personal computers. Apr 15, 2006: Exec Committee meeting: 10 am Company Annual meeting: I pm Tune was when the telephone w.is the only quick v..,-ay of getting in touch Contact: Tht Company, 860-767-2237; with members. However if the person called was not at home when the CompanyHQg)companyoffifeanddrum.org call was made, it meant calling again and many of these were toU calls. Directions to Company Museum and Headquarters: there was an important message such as a last minute request for the From highways 1-95 or 1-91 proceed along Route 9 10 corps and the corps had twenty members, twenty five or more ca!Js would be Exit 3 and follow the signs to Ivoryton. The Museum of required to reach everyone. Fife & Dr11111 is one half mile nonh of the famous Ivoryton Playhouse. Today, with most everyone having a PC, it is a simple matter to send a mes sage through a group mailing to all the corps members email addresses in your Address Book and within a short period of time you should hear from the mem bers. Ftfe Mouth Pit'Ce Of course, those still living in the twentieth century have to be called or be contacted by regular mail but that number is getting smaller by the hour as com puter prices continue to drop.! ❖ Ths is for the fifer who has problems W. ALBOUM HAT CO. INC. with the presents flow/air stream going into the fife. Authentic Made by hand of heavy brass. Fits Fife and Drum Corps Hats around the outside of one-piece fife, adjustable. For the finest g uality headwear Sold by: you can buy. Call or write: Ye Colonial Sutlers Shop 49 Norton Town Road, (973) 371-9100 • 1439 Springfield Ave., Irvington, NJ 07111 Madison, CT 06443 Tel: 203-245-9543 Arnold Bird He decided we needed a suitable (and uni A.mold Bird was Gennantown's Moses fonn) fife. and found Ed Ferrary. who wa~ starting transfonning us from a firehouse-owned modem to make B-tlat fifes at that rime. His cheery '"A fife and drum corps to the independent Ancient ftfe Bird, here: I hear you make wonderful fifes" was and drum Corps we are today. greeted with some disbelief by Ed, but afcer a few Bird joined Gennantown foe Department false tries (and maybe some hang-ups) the connec Fife and Drum corps as a fifer upon his return from tion was made. and Germantown Ancients pur wwa (where he claimed to have single handedly chased (for around $12.00 per fife) Ed's early B-flat .. destroyed 1he might of the Gem1an Army" -- with granadilla gems. We were one of the first Ancient no help from Marie Clarie). Corps to equip ourselves with Ferrary fifes. In 1960. the all male Gennantown Corps was Bird changed our music. adding tunes he wearing a fireman ·s unifonn - blue pants. white picked up from the friends in the Ancient Mariners shin with a siring tie. and a uicom hat. and Deep River. 8) 1964, the Corp·s repenoire Personnel were mostly members of the included tunes such as Bunker's Hill, Bakers Buck, Paddy 011 the Handcar, and Wl111p Jamboree. He DRUM Gennanto"n Volunteer foe Department, in Danblll) CT. was also responsible for the York Medley. com menting that me two Duke of York runes would fit nicely together. In this way, he established what Arnold Bird was to become the "Gennantown Sound," which was thoroughly unique, and Ancient. 83 Under his leadership, the corps traveled as Past President far as Virginia and Maine. a11ending Ancient Germantown Fife & Drum Corps musters and some competitions. At one competi July 15, 2005 tion. Bird recalled that the Corps once held a parade through his motel room. marching over both Bird and his wife. Hazel. What he said 10 the marcher.; as Dr. Frederick Fennell they passed over him is mercifully lost 10 history. Bird was a fixture a1 the GeIT!lanto,, n fire 90 house. opening it up for the Corps on rehearsal (90 years young) nights for over 30 years. always the last one out Jul 2, 1914 - Dec 7, 200~ (sometimes after some lengthy Pinochle games). You should ha,·e heard him about that. as he grew older and his "beddie'' called him more loudly. He Elizabeth F. Ginther often referred to us as "donkeys" but mos1 of the 60 time we did what he wanted. He never lost his love of fireman ·s parades, Chair of the Board however. Gennantown nonnalJy was "first in. last Midnight Riders Fife and Drum Corps out" of the Jam sessions." ith Bird leading the way. August 13, 2005 Afcer he ··retired" as president, Bird was our 1reasurer and busine5s manager. maintaining close relations with the volunteer firemen in Peekskill and Bird attended a Deep River Muster around Verplanck, NY. Gennantown Ancienrs and the vol then, and befriended the likes of the Ancient unteer firemen have a two-decade long tradition of Mariners and the Deep River Ancient Fife and toasting each from a decanter that Bird presented 10 Drum Corps. the firemen after a Peekskill 4th of July parade. In They taught him what it was like to be the future. on each 4th of July. the toast will be 10 ''Ancient," and invited him to attend some of their Bird's memory. as A.mold Bird passed away July long distance jobs. such as tllc Texas State Fair. 15.2005. Sometime in the lace ·5o·s and early 60's. By Walter Rynkiell'ic::. Bird decided to change tlle nature of the corps. By 1964 the Corps was outfitted in a unifonn with the same vests we wear today, but with heavy woolen Dr. Frederick Fennell pants. and spats. The shin was a men's white dress ft is fair to sa) that for most us, there is a piv shin. and the hat remained the traditional Tricom. otal moment tha1 changes or alters our lives forever. We wore a large Jabot, which was shorn reluctamly ln 1959. I was fifteen and playing tenor drum in the only on the houes1 of days. along with our vest. Palmyra (NY) Drum & Bugle Corps, and though! I knew a little about "beating-a-drum." Then I heard In the early I9Ci0s Bird conrracted with Buck Soistman for our sec of "Gennantown Model" a newly released recording of"Music for Fifes & Anciem snare and bass drums. Drums" by Frederick Fennell and the Eastman Ancient Tunes 27 I work m) way through Purdue. led to connec tions with George Carroll. who suggested that I meet Ted Kurtz and Buck Soistman at the 1961 DRAM. - then Ed Olsen, Ed Classey. Pat Cooperman. etc. etc. etc. Meeting Dr. Fennell gave me an incredi ble gift 10 last a lifetime. In recent years. I have met score:. of musicians, band directors. histori ans -- all of whom share a common thread: a chance meeting with Frederick Fennell or some thing in one of his twenty-two recordings that provided inspiration for a lifetime of musical vocation. or avocation, or just plain enjo}ment. Dr. FenneU's admonition and suggestions on technique. and ensemble performance was print ed on the inside of virtually every school band m~ic folder for the last forty years "LISTEN... Frederick Fennell was born on July 2, 1914 in Cleveland. Ohio. His mother was a Putnam. descended from General Putnam of Revolutionary War fame. His father was a fifer with the Camp Zeke Fife & Drum Corps. and as told b) Dr. Fennell (in Rob Simon's book. Fennell): "II all began with a fife and drum corps, and I think it was first of all because my father was a ftfer in that fife and drum corps, Elizabeth R Ginther and it was such a great drum corps and it was a Beth Ginlher, 60, passed away in her great sound. That really is what got me into it home on the morning of August 13, 2005 after because I couldn ·1 stay out of it." (An under a long battle with ovarian cancer. statement.) Into it he was. From his first Mn;. Ginther was the great granddaugh appearance as a drummer with the Corps on ter of the children· s poet Eugene Field and July 4, 1921. and for the rest of his life. although she did not play an instrument, was Frederick Fennell was •'into it." one of the founding members, in a suppon From Camp Zeke. to Interlachen (where capacity. of the Midnight Riders Fife and he and young Bill Ludwig, Jr. of the Ludwig Drum Corps. In addirion to serving as the Drum Co. became best friends). to Eastman, Chair of the Board of Trustees for the corps, where as a freshman, he organized the she attended almost every performance and University of Rochester Marching Band. and always had extra uniform parts, equipment and symphonic band, and later conceived the Wind on one such occasion even surrendered her Ensemble and became its champion throughout black shoes 10 a forgetful member. the world. to Associate Director of the Some of Beth· s fondest memories and Minneapolis Symphony. 10 Director of Music at proudest moments were of the corps perfor the University of Miami - small wonder that mances at Colonial Williamsburg and Mount most people in the music world (as well as the Vernon as well as seeing the corps accomplish mechanic who worked on his 1954 MG TF) such goals as completely outfiuing the mem knew him beM by his license plate, '"MAE bership in full historical uniforms by the end of abo\'e· Fred (age 7) wl father (fifi11g) at STRO!" the corps second performance season and the Camp Zeke. Ohio On December 7, 2004, in her message 10 release of two recordings. above: Fred co11d11cti11g symphony orchestra his friends and musical associates, Dr. Fennell's Mrs. Ginther is survived by her husband daughter Cathy wrote about his last moments: of 42 years. Ronald L. Ginther, children Robe11 "A bit before Midnight, dad told me he was C. (Jennifer), Drew A. (Kristine); mother Wind Ensemble. I was totally perplexed. What was frustrated and disappointed. When I asked him. Elizabeth Field; sister Ernestine (Charles) and it was those drummers were doing? I called Dr. ··Why?". he replied. "There's no drummer here brother Richard Field. Ronald also serves on Fennell. who invited me 10 visit. ye1. l can ·t die without a drummer!'' I told him the Board of Trustees. Roben is a founder and That recording, and the meeting with Dr. that I loved him. and that heaven's best drum past Director. Drew is currently Director and Fennell was such an event for me. His inspiration mer was on the way. Moments later he said, "I both Jennifer and Kristine play fife for the and encouragement, and subsequent le£son1 with can bear him! I can hear him! I'm OK now:· Midnight Riders .. William Street and John Beck. led 10 fonnation of This was my final conversation with my dad." the C.A. Palmer F&DC. (and others). enabled me 10 By Jim Smith. Yankee Drummer By Rob Gi111her ,, 28 A11Licnt Tnnes s you have prob.lbly suspect mer Jonalhan Cagle-Muhlberg ed. lhings are different out joined me aboard ship for the here. Sure. \\ilh fifers and drummers Opening Day Parade of Sail, and later. for dock throughout the counlI), side concerts on Pier 40. where lhe Western Ancients find summer tall ships R. Tucker Thompson, !heirA busiest time. There are parade!>. com Lynx. Talofa. and Royali,te v.ere munity events, and patriotic celebrations. open for public mspecuon. In Los The reenactor corps usually have four or Angeles. Drummer Andrew more living history events as well. Endsley and fifer Kurt Owens For example. let me tell you about ' came out for a concert at the CCDB\ summer. O\er the Independence .\faritime Museum. and Andrew Day weekend, we marched in parades in wa., al'-0 able to participate in daily Seaside, Benicia. and Sonoma. perfonned battle sails. kl.-eping lhe music as Tauoo from the balcony of hbtoric hot as the cannon fire! The follow Sonoma Barracks. and enjoyed an ing \\eekend. dunng San Diego's impromptu concen/rehea.rsal at the Festival of Sail, drummer Colin McKim and his dad, fifer Jim McKim. pla)ed music dockside nnd took pan in a b.lule ..ail on the Royaliste The lanja Fife and Drum Corps. who"' members are all accompli,hcd tlautish. arc plan ning the Inland Empire Valle} Flute Festival in October. which \\ ill include mNer cla.,ses and a concert by Laurel Zucker. a, \\CIJ a, on-going displays and exhibits. There you have it. Despite our difference, we are united by Montere} Presidio. Throughout the weekend we portrayed musicians of Stevenson\ 1847 Regiment, lhe First New York Legion. \\ ilh their distinc tive uniforms of red-tnmmed coats, white broadfall trousers. and wheel hats. A few of us came b.lck for a muster "fix" at Deep River ...,here \\e found our.elves the recipients of a ver} nice gift from the Quahogs! I was also able to enJoy the hospitality of lhe Civil War Troopers at lheir muster the following week. California fifers and drummers panicipated tn the Banle of .\1cCloud. a Civil W'Jf living hhtory event in \\hich Korth and South \ied for po,..e:-.,ion of the town, ih railroad, and "'Number 18," a working Baldwin "'Mtkudo"' 2- 8-0 steam locomoLive. West C0:bt fifers and drummers Ancient Spmt and music. Ir you 're provided an Ancient presence during out our way. give us a call - there"s ASTA 's Tallships 2005 Tour. The Army of probably something going on that the Columbia marched m a parade in you'd enjoy! ❖ Seattle dunng the Nor'wc\Lern leg of the tour. sporting their new nauucal unifonn\. When the Tour arrived m California, I stepped into my "'other" role, as a sailor aboard the tallship Royali,te. CCDB drum- Ancient Tnnes 29 I The Music Library Index On Line! On The Web Marty Sampson of the California Consolidated Drum Band, spent the entire week by Chuck Riley, after the Deep River Muster working dawn to dusk in the Archives to prepare an index of all the music in The Company Music Library, something long desired. Patsy webmaster Cooperman Ellis lent her suppon and expenise in setting up the data base and establish ince my last column, we have added sever ing the desired data fields. Our trusty Membership Chair Bob Castillo configured the al new features to The Company website data entry computer with the necessary software to enable the process. The listing is (www.companyoffifeanddrum.org), all of now available on-line at The Company Website www.companyoffifeanddrum.org for all Swhich are in the membership area. who are interested in researching the music on file in The Company Archives. A special thank you - First, we have improved site navigation, to Many as well as to Patsy and Bob. making it easier to differentiate between the pages Please note, that several other caches of music in the archives surfaced later and did not get for online and traditional new membership indexed (including the music of John McDonagh), but these will be included as soon as time allows registrations and renewals. and volunteers appear. ❖ - Secondly, it is now possible to purchase a Life Membership onJine through Pay Pal. Previously this was only possible by mailing in your application and check. JOHN CIAGLIA - Lastly, we are now accepting donations COMPOSER AND ARRANGER FOR THE FIFE online. A link to the donations page, where you John Ciaglia is now accepting commissions/or original compositions or can make a donation from $5 10 $100, is available arrangements oftraditional wnes in two to four \'Oices for full fife line, chamber on our home page. performance and competition. AIJ of these changes are the result of feed CDs and books currently available. back from the membership, so please feel free to contact me at webmaster@companyoffifeand For more information, and to be included 011 the mailing list for our upcoming drum.org with your comments and suggestions. ❖ website, please write to [email protected] Stony Creek Fife and Drum CofRs Seaside Hall Restoration To Continue Through Summer 2006 rom our humble beginnings, 119 years ago at the Blacksmith Shop, The Stony Creek Fife and Drum Corps Fhas been continuously active in the drum corps world As Charter Members of The Company, the Corps hosted many meetings at Seaside Hall and prepared gallons of chowder prior to the Museum purchase. Please consider helping us preserve our home, Seaside Hall, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. We look forward to seeing you on the muster field. Please visit our display for CDs and current information on the project. The Stony Credr. Fife Stony Creek and Drum Coq., Inc. Is 8 Connecticut non• uoclt corporation and Fife and Drum Corps 1w been recoeniffll P.O. Box 1886, Stony Creek, CT 06405 by lntttNJI Rcve-nue Service • A non• or Co-Chairmen rror., 501(c) 3 Mark Dudley Joe Mooney corporation.Your eut LS deductible to 203 453-6760 203 488-9735 1 he extent •~ I.red by low. Please visit our website: www.stonycreekdrumcorps.org 30 Ancient Tunes 2004: -1 noted the mild 2005: begins around 6:00 PM ... large group T. ... 'iOmehow A.T. is temperature, 52 deg on plays outside ... inside, sample \½Uy Bauer\ A on my mind ... I think The the bank thermometer at clam chowder and chili ('iOmeone found a that I decided to hike the 6:00 P\1. -Aho notable clam m the "'potato" soup yuk. yuk~ At 8:00 A. T.. the Appalachian Trail. were the Colonial PM \¼xxly Sheades heads the "Olde Phartes and I couldn't decide Tattler' Musketeers. N.J.. who Quartet':playing harmony on Downfall after whether to begin in the were happy to be fourth an 18-year hiatu, ... \¼xxly. Ed Bednarz. Jack North or the South. so I in line. Their new bw, DelanC). and Stan Sheades.. Kew president Jack started in the middle and Revisited wa., outlined in blinking McGuire begins formalities with a joke about went both ways (spht by George l'i'f 1he Drum Corps for many years. He was older than back and forth between Seneca Pran's drum and I and asked me if I dido 't want to learn the fife and his own. he'd be playing both drums for a moment join the Corps. Thar's wha1 staned i1 all. so I got a or two and back again. 11 was really clever - he An fife - he got one for me - and he used to come to was quite a show in himself. and he did auract my house to teach me the pieces. My parents quite a bit of anent ion al these conventions. He couldn't stand the squeaking and squawking of the was a good drummer and he never missed a beat a1 Interview fifes, so we rehearsed in the wood shed. f weU all. We couldn't understand it. remember that - cold nighu- 100. Once we were marching along a meadow Those days the rule set by Clarence somewhere in Old Saybrook. and this Ezra Bushnell, our leader. was that no one would be Spencer, you never knew what he was going to do. With Judge admined 10 1he Drum Corps until he had memo Somebody threw down a cigareue bull and i1 ignit rized twenty-four pieces. I was able to learn the ed that dry meadow~- Well, Ezra swept off his twenty-four pieces because I loved to play the fife drum, ran down the bank. unbunoning his pants. Stickney and Charlie Walden was a patient, careful. good and put the fire out. Even the girls around laughed teacher. When he reported to Clarence Bushnell at Lha1, but it was characteristic of him - you never Taken by Leo Brennan and the late thai I had qualified. I was admitted 10 the Corps - I knew what that man was going to do next. We Harold Ek (1907-199./J really enjoyed it. We had many pleasant experi couldn '1 play any more -we just had to laugh. ences and one outstanding unpleasant experience One thing that was real commendable in a EDITORIAL that I will never forget as long as I live. More way was Clarence Bushnell's death on drinking. COMMENT about that later. When he found a member of our Corps who· d been or~1· ti, the history ofThe Co111pony, Tunes drinking, he would warn him, "Lei thal happen Archii'ist Eddie Olsen enjoined 011r again and you· re out!" Ezra Spencer had to watch members to seel 0111 and1i11en·iew t/1e The runes we used to play? Oh, Yankee his s1ep. "old ti111ers" -- retiredf,fers 0,1d dr11111- Doodle - that was the loud one. Marching Through The names of the fifers? I'm gening old, -'.:."L.."""ll• 111er.r •- '1Ve won't olwu_1s hare the111 Georgia. Willie Weaver - I should remember a l01 regret I can't remember 1he names, but they were 111ih 11s. 011d (/we don't tol:e do,m their stories. they of them - Stick Beat - we used 10 play that quite a wonderful guys, a good group, a nice group of will be lost. " lot and they were very good at it. I can't remember men. Seems as though I could start and go right /J1 /97J Leo Bre,111011 011d Harold El: 1111der- any more, yet there were 24 that I had to remember through the two ranks and name them, but it's no1 1ool: 10 1i11em'ew Judge F. Howard Stidney - tha1 was many years ago. so easy. There were eight fifes- four in the first (/887-/97S). the lost s11n·fri11g member ofthe R.H. The front rank - we canied the air - the rank and four in the second. but that dwindled Comstock Fife andDr11111 Corps. The Ji11em'ew was fellows in back of us learned to play alto a couple down to around 1wo in the second rank after a recorded 011 audio tape 011d m111scribed 01110 JO of tones over. Oh. it sounded good. while. Maurice Pran was a leader - there wa\ Will do11ble-sp(lced ~rpewni1e11 pores. Some oftire 011dio Members Frye. Charlie Walden who played with the Corps was 1101 reco,·eroble. There was a /01 ofrepe11iio11 Albert - Bert Bushnell was our drum major for many years. Myers. Garfield Spencer played 011d a bti ofconfusion here 011d there. b111 o /01 of the fife - he was the son of Ezra. the bass drum for many years. He lived on Westbrook Road in 1i11eres11i1g stuff The li11en·iew was mmscribed mer. Bert Paimalee played, he came from Jvoryton. hiero/(1•, w1i/1 lots ofbad andforth betwee,, the Centerbrook. His daughter lives right up there now. Ben was in the second rank. l always remember pom'es. typ,rol ofco111·erso1io11 w1i!, the hard of Bert playing - he lo:.L a finger. ye1 he could play There were a lot of good drummen, because heoni1g. One typical passage went: that fife as well as anybody. He was a nice man Leo: Are there cmy other i11cide111s that you Clarence Bushnell was a strict. thorough instructor. He would not let them play until they got the roll 10 My recollection is that there were about 24 can remember about the Coms,ock Corps, sir? members altogether. It was a wonderful group of satisfy him. He wanted no open roll - it must be Stick11ey: lnsm1111ents? men in that Drum Corps, no ladies. They were reg Leo: No, incidems. You know,J11n11y constant. steady all the way through. so they had to do some practicing, but it paid off. ular he men, all of them, ye1 they were good men happenings that you can recall. and I've often remembered the little use of profani Three bass drums - I remember those. Stick11ey: In connection with the Drum ty among them - they seemed to rise above that Corps? There was Ezra Spencer. He was a unique bass drummer and had a style all his own. He would be kind of talk. Leo:Yes. At the meetings all they thought of was the walking along and playing in the standard way of All too familiar, is11' tit? However in the Drum Corps - what ·s good for the corps - how can playing. then all of a sudden he would reach over interest ofclarity, rhe data hare been rearranged we improve our playing- what's the mauer with and play his bass drum on the other side. switch somewlwr, the repetitions merged, and the ll'hole cenain pieces? Then certain ones would have back, and then resume with both hands. And then presented as a story from Judge Stickney, as indeed attention called to an erroneous beat or an erro he walked at an angle until he got over to Seneca most ofir was. neous note we fifers struck, and we'd rehearse it Pran. Seneca knew what was coming and Seneca over until we go1 it right JUDGE STICKNEY'S stopped drumming at the right time and Ezra They were real serious about their playing RECOLLECTIONS picked up drumming on Seneca's drum instead of and our reputation. We did win quite a few prizes Well, I joined the R.H. Comstock Drum using his own. Then he'd swing back again. He - Jdon '1 know what ever became of those. At one Corp around 1905 when I was between 1he ages of was a stick swinging drummer, but he used no time they were in the glass cabinet in the Town 15 and 16, at the invitation of a friend of mine by wrist straps. He'd swing those sticks in the air and Hall, bu1 where they've gone, I don ·1 know. the name of Charlie Walden. who played the fife in he never missed a beat. and when he was walking ru1C1cntA. . Tun es .:,.:,-,-, Instruments Practice was on Monday night. and I used to ride when we were going, just let them jog along and on my bicycle to anend Drum Corps meetings. take it easy. That was a far cry from the motor Of course we each owned our own fifes, and The drummers used nail kegs with a round buses we had to ride later, all heated and every many owned their own drums. We used 10 get a piece of buckskin as a spot "here they must learn thing- gosh. Oh boy. that old bus - horse drawn great kick out of the drummers, because they to hit with those sticks. Bushnell insisted on that, bus, cold in the winter time. you put the mouth would get so mad when they broke a drum head - so there·d be a lot of kegs lying around the the piece in your mouth and it stuck to your lips. swear and cuss the drum heads. Drum Hall with a round piece of buckskin there in The near tragedy that I mentioned to you a The bass drum sticks were like mallets, with the center. That was the target for the drummers to few moments ago happened on an occasion when a round ball at the end, sewed like a baseball - aim at. keeping their beats right close together. we were hired to come to Old Saybrook to play at hard. but not hard enough to damage the heads of Bushnell was an excellent and insistent IUlor. some sort of function that was going on down the drums. They were round - I'm sure of that. Once came the time to play Yankee Doodle there. We played until just before midnight. We There was an elderly man from Deep River and we were preparing for a parade somewhere who found out that I had one of the old Buell fifes traveled on a horse drawn bus, a big bus and it took and so Bushnell said, "Give it the works this time: the whole corps at one time and I think there were that were hand made - they were the best you four horses. could get. He On our way home. all called me up one of a sudden there was a son da) and asked me about it and of roar and we weren't sure what it was, but about that said he would same ~tant the driver of like to come down and inter those four horses let out a terrific yell and cracked view me and per those horses with the whip. haps. he says, "I Then we realized there was a have a notion J train approaching and we want to buy your scared fife". "Well", I were stiff. The driver said. 'Tm not was just in time - there was n't a split second leh - the sure I want to horses leaped and we all sell it. I'm kind of sentimental went over. I got squeezed up m the corridor with my legs about it, but outside on the step and as come on down anyways". that thing went by. it almost hit my legs. I can feel the Well that heat of that locomotive on brought my life to my attention, m) legs today. I dido 't get over the fright for several so I climbed up days and neither did the rest 10 the attic. three stories above, of them. That was the closest I ever came 10 gening and started playing it. I didn't do a very good job this is the last rehearsal." Well, halfway through the hit by a train. and n couldn't be much closer and at first. but it wasn't long before the linger move piece the concussion of the drums put the lamp out. not get hit. ment came back to me and l could play several About l'\\0 minutes later the stove fell d0\\O, and I'll tell you. that poor engineer was frantic tunes. I played an ocarina qu11e a lot and l have there was a hot fire in the stove. Well, you never the way he was screeching his brakes, blowing that played a nuie and 11 all helped. sa\\ such scrambling in your life. in the dark. push whistle for all it was worth. l'll bet he gave a Well. he was tickled pink. paid me a pretl} ing logs underneath that stove to get it up off the prayer of thanks 100. that he dido ·1 hit us. good price for it. and took it. It seems he's making noor before it caught fire. a collection out of them; he used to be a fifer him Competitions self - with Moodus. I think. Unfonunately. l don't Travel I \\ant to tell you of the friend!) rival!) that remember hts nan1e -1 never sa"' him before and I How far did we travel? Oh, I think to existed berween the Deep River Drum Corps and haven't seen him since - but somchO\\ he found Hartford. 'ew Haven. l'\ew Britain was about as the R.H. Comstock. and I emphasize the word out I had one of those handmade fifes. They were far as we spread out. The means of transponation friendly because it was friendly all the way ebony - gee. they were well made. in those days was a big problem. We'd stan early through. The last time that I remember when we Drum Hall in the morning in a hor,e-drawn vehicle. lJ you became directly involved with Deep River was at a drove a horse 25 or 30 miles m a day, he was pretty convention in New Britam. The judges found that The Drum Hall was in Centerbrook \\ 3) well tuckered out and you stopped to give him a it \\a, a tie between OL>ep River and the R.H. over in back of Behrens and Bushnell. across the rest. We lost a \\hole da) either to 'le\\ Britain or Comstock and we \\ere ordered to play the tie off. bay on the North side \\ here all those houses are Hanford. we·d wait until along toward midnight They stationed the Deep River Drum Corps on the now - Mitchell. ( guess, built them. when the horses got rested, and then we· d come wei.t side of the Armory and put us on the east side. It was a one-room building - we had bench back. The) wouldn't drive them the way they did We were told b} Clarence Bushnell. our leader: es around and we sat on the benches and played. ( collfi1111ed 011 paf?e 35) 34 Ancient Times Finnegan's~~~ , FINNEGAN S WAKE This arrangement comes from the book, A new Look at Old Fa,orites {25 Fife and Drum Standards) Arranged for Fife by Bill Hart, published in 1998. The Germantown Ancients from Danbury, Connecticut are just one of many corps who can be heard playing this ,ersion today. Arranged by Bill Harl in Jul) 1988. Fife I Fife2 Fife l Fife2 Fife l Fife2 Fife I Fife2 Ancient Ttmes 35 or this issue we· ve decided to fea111re Fi1111egaT1° s Wake. Drums were wri11e11 by Terry Hennessey with the fife (co111i,111edfrom page 33) Farrangement by Bill Hart. This arrangemem was made famous by The Germa111ow11 A11cie111s and is one of the "Now ifs Yankee Doodle, our classics you expect to hear anytime they march down the street' old block busting way, twice through We'd like to thank Terry, Bill and Gennantown for giving us pennission to use their arrangements. Also check mild and soft - third time through T'II out some of Bill· s other fife arrangements in his book "A New Look at Old Favorites" (25 Fife and Drum Standards'). give you the signal and every man in published in 1998. ❖ this Corps give it the works!" Well, it went along very smooth the first two times through. Deep River , never was very far behind us - they did FINNEGAN S WAKE n·1 appear to be disturbed at all or miss a beat - but when the two clicks came This drum part was written for the Germanto,rn Ancients from Danbury, Connecticut. For many drummers in the Greater Danbury area and Hudson Valle) it has become from Clarence Bushnell's drum sticks tradition that if you' re going to play Finnegan's Wake, this is the only part to play. and the R.H. Comstock Drum Corps let loose with all it had, well it was just laughable to see poor Deep River. First Drums Wrilleo by Terry Hennessey. one and then the other would get all mixed up and finally they stopped alro gether. The result of it was, we came home with the prize. Oh. we had a grand time kidding Snare Drum each other for a long while afterward - they were so sure of themselves. It wa~ laughable - first one and then another got all balled up and finally they could n't hold it any more and stopped. They were so garbled up they didn't know what the) were doing, but we kept right on because the noise of the drums and our fifes didn't amount to much. but those drums going as fast and as hard as they could pound right on time through until they finished. We got a grand laugh out of that but Deep River was good sports. A dirty trick was played on us at a convention - I've forgotten whether it was in Meriden or New Britain - no it wasn't New Britain, I think it was Bass Drum Meriden. They wrote and told us 10 Bi, come and everything. We went to the convention and registered and when we > got there they wouldn't allow us to play in any of the contests because we used J 1 "E j mouthpieces. Well, Clarence Bushnell L ' L R L told the head one of that organization in no uncenain tenns just what he could do tnli >6 >6 with his organization. We got into the I , 1~JJJJJhJJJJ 1 bus and came home. Oh, we quit - we R RL LRRLRLRRLRLRLL resigned right there - we wanted no more. If they didn't have the decency to > warn us ahead of time that mouthpieces J had been outlawed and not let us get a.II L the way from Essex up there and then tell us. He laid it on L11e line to them - they had it coming 10 them, by goll). I gave up - I said to heck with it. By that time I was interested in some (co11ti1111ed 011 page 36) 36 Ancient Ttn1es (contin11edfrom page 35) cheap to email the digital images to !he Ancient Times. Everyone should be aware, thing else besides fifing- yes, we all used moulh Submission however, that low resolution photos and scans pieces. are not suitable for publication. Most cameras We used to meet a lot of drum corps at the !lequirements are capable of taking at least a two megapixels state conventions and we got to know some of the (1632xl224) picture, which when compressed members of different corps. We played in parades for the into jpeg forma4 will average around 400KB. with Lancraft, and knew the Deep River, Moodus, When scanning 6"x4" prints from film and Chester corps, all good corps. We didn't visit Ancient Times cameras, a 300 dpi (dots per inch) scanning olher corps much, but we did visit Westbrook - !hey resolution will give a comparably sized file, gave us a special invitation to come down and !hey All correspondence should be directed which should then be stored in jpeg format. followed our method of drumming, also fifing. They to:A11cie11t Times, Images with more pixels are, of course. even The Compa11y ofFifers & Drummers better, and more easily cropped wilhout invited us to play with them. There was a lot of noise Box 277, lvoryton, CT 06442-0277 or degradation. Be aware that the photos available and music when we played together - we had a [email protected] for download from Kodak's on-line Easy lot of fun. The A11ciem Times welcomes articles, Share Gallery (and other similar sites) are only Disorganization about 640 x 480 pixels. which is 100 low a notices, obituaries, and advertisements for Gosh, I don't remember when it was we inclusion in this publication. The deadlines resolution to be very useful. Folk should also disorganized, but it wasn't so very many years ago, for the upcoming issues as well as require be aware that internet service provider., often ments for submission are listed below. reject mail with too many large files attached. because they came to me for legal advice. I had no right to give it. I was studying Jaw at lhe time in Deadlines: requiring that submissions of multiple large files be made in batches - the exact size Hartford. I searched the title of lhe old Drum - Issue 117: Musters 2005. I December 2005 determined, unfortunately. by trial and error. building for them so !hey could give fair title when - Issue 118: Color Guards, I March 2006 Naturally, anyone is still welcome to snail-mail they sold it. - Issue I I 9: I June 2006 good quality photo prints and other hard copy They just dwindled away. There weren't any Editorial Copy: images directly 10 the Ancient Times. men left, so there was no formal announcement of a The publication staff is, of course, Advertising Copy: dissolution of the Corps - anything like that - it just capable of converting to the required electron Any "ready-to-print" ad copy is accept dissolved itself - narure did it for them. I didn't ic format any clear, legible, material submit able without preparation charge, whether in realize until a few years ago, how greatly reduced the ted. Paper copy. typed or handwritten. mailed suitable electronic format or clean scannable ranks were. I don '1 know what brought it to my 10 !he Company box is acceptable, but much copy. Cost estimates for ad copy requiring attention. Then I realized a lot of those men !hat I less staff work is required if articles are sub preparation will be provided on request. knew had passed on. I never once dreamed I would mitted electronically, preferrably in plain ascii be the last one left, well ... text via email. Articles submiued as doc files Advertising Rates (2005): are also acceptable. Articles with accompany Inside front cover: S250 ANOTEON ing pictures are vastly preferable to articles Full page: 200 R.H. COMSTOCK without pictures. Half page: I35 Recollections of Edilh Deforest Photographic Copy: Third page: 85 Sixth page: 50 Born 1915, employee of Pratt Reid 1937-1982 Times are changing. and digital cam Twelfth page: 35 Curator of the Deep River Historical Society eras are being used 10 take most of the pic Museum. rures at musters and other events. In addition, These are single issue prices. but dis counts are available for ads contracted for four Samuel Comstock founded the Comstock folk who still use film cameras often have Company in the 1860s in Ivoryton to manufacture scanners which can convert their photos to issues of the Ancient Times.❖ ivory billiard balls, and later took in a partner named digital format. And of course, it is fast and Cheney, renaming it the Comstock, Cheney Company. They moved on to making piano keys and actions, and in 1936 merged with the Pratt Reid Company of Deep River. under lhe name Pratt Reid. C.P. Burdick & Son, Inc. During WW II. they switched to war work and manu factured gliders for the US Army, one of which may Four Generations ofWarmth be seen at the Air Museum at Bradley Field in Massachusetts. What's leftof Pran Reid has moved Fuel Oil / Excavation Services to Bridgeport as Pratt Reid Tools.On Samuel's dealh. 24-Hour Service his son Robert H. assumed control of Comstock and Cheney, and presumably during his management, 860-767-8402 sponsored the formation of the R.H. Comstock Fife & Drum Corps. Control of lhe company later passed .)' ~~ ~ ~ Main Street, lvoryton successively 10 Robert's brolher. Archibald W., and ~c:5--::.:::.;111111111_--- __c~_ec_ti_· c_u_t_o_644_2 ____ _ then to Archibald's sons, Peter and Samuel.❖ 18 tssex lndns~rlal Park RoaJ • P.O. Rox 386 Cenlerbrook, Cf 06409 ' 860.767.9087 • I 860.767.0259 , , I [email protected] www.essexprlnHng.com is a proud sponso14 of Company of_;Fifers 6-9 Vrummers ~~ , r ss ar s oJalJ (0111p1111y of:Fifers &9 Vnm11J1ers \our , ,11111 1, I, "l,1111, Lx ' "II • Rusincss t: anls • LeHcrlicucl • [uvclopcs • Nc\\?sleHcrs • 1 Color lo 4 (=olor call {or l11{ormaflo11 ••• 860. 767. 9087 CALENDAR November 'OS-June '06 November 19, 2005 • TVORYTON, CT - Peter Andrews. 860-673-2929 15th Annual Jam May 5-7, 2006 • Lexington, MA Lexington Saturday Company General Meeting and Session to benefit the Martin D. Andrews Memorial Tattoo and Muster Hosted by The 40th Anniversary Gala Social Scholarc;hip Fund Refreshment, Available. rallle William Diamond Junior Fife and Exec Comminee Mtg: ICXXl Donation: Adults, $5.00. Juniors $3.00 Drum Corps General Meeting: 1300 Loe: Scottish Rite National Heritage Museum. Gala Social and Jollification: 1400 February 12, 2006 • Arlington, MA - Saturday 33 Marren Rd, Lexington, MA Loe: The MU5eum of Fife & Drum/Compan} HQ, Midwinter Madness Jam Session Hosted Tanoo: 1900 Friday on Lexigton Green Jvoryton, CT by The Menotomy Minute Men followed by jam at the Lexington Elks Contact: The Company 860-767 -2237 Loe: K of C Hall. Arlington. MA Parade: I 100 Saturday from Munroe Tavern to [email protected] Time: Noon 10 S PM the Museum Web: companyoffifeanddrum.org Contact: Bill Mahoney, 781--648-1720, Contact: Carmin CalabreM! 978-838-2023 carrn The General Meeting is guaranteed to be ~hon! [email protected] [email protected] The Jollification \\-ill be out of doors. weather per Web: www.menotom;.org Our annual jam session Web: W\\W.williamdiamondjrs.org mining. There will be a catered buffet for all • free for folks mthe Nonhern Climes. Southern folb are At the conclusion of the mustc:r, a complimenta of charge. The general public is welcome and invit• also cordially invited. Light food wiU be provided. ry spaghetti dinner will be provided at the ed. This is a Celebration of our 40th Anni versa!). Cllhll bar. A raffle will be held to help defray expens Lexington Elks. Following dinner there ,,ill be a es. Vendors and Sullen; by invitation only please. jam session. December 10, 2005 • OLD SAYBROOK, CT • Saturday Old Saybrook Christmas Februar) 18, 2006 • JVORYTON, CT· March 10-12, 2006 · MIDLA D, Ml Muster Saturday Compan) General Meeting Freezer Jam • Annual Conference of Hosted by The Alumm of Colonial Saybrook F&D Exec Committee Mtg: JCXX) Midwestern F&DC Hosted by Old Saybroo~. CT General .Meeung: 1300 Tittabawawassee Valley F&DC Time:6PM Loe: The Museum of Fife & Drum/Company HQ. Reg1\lr:ltion: opens 5:00 Pr.I Frida; Contact: Bill Reid, 860-399-9469 (day) 860-399- lvol')ton. CT Opening Session: 9:00 AM Saturday 6571 (eve) military.historiam@~net.net Regardless Contact: The Company 860-767-2237 Concen: 7:00 PM Saturday of rain or snow • stans at Coulter Street and pro [email protected] Loe: Central Middle School. Midland, Michil!an ceed5 do,,n Main Street to the Town Hall. followed Web: companyoffifeanddrum.org Contact: Jim McMahan 989-631-5093 ~ b; carol sing and muster for the hard; -b; invitation c; [email protected] onl; April 15, 2006 - IVORYTON, CT - Saturday Company Annual Meeting January 21, 2006 - WESTBROOK, CT · faec Commi11ee \1tg: ICXXl Important Notice Saturday Martin D. Andrews Memorial Annual Meeting: 1300 When your mailing address changes please Scholarship Jam (Marty Jam) Loe: The Museum of Fife & Drum/Company HQ. notify Loe: Westbrook Elks Oub lvol)lOn,CT us promptly! Time: 4 P\t1 to midnight Contact: The Company 860-767-2237 The Post Office ti()CS nut advise tts. Contact: Michael Andrew~. 860-585-8456. mickey [email protected] Write: Membership Committee [email protected] or Web: companyoflifeanddrum.org P.O Box m, Ivoryton. CT06442-02Z7 Nonprofit Orgnniz.ation Ancienffimes U.S. Postage P.O. Box 277 PAID lvoryton. CT 06-I-U-0277 lvoryton. CT Permit No. 16 -·-"••••~•••MtXED ADC 010 S13 PS Marty Sampson 755 Churchill Dr Chico CA 95973-8624 11.1 ••• 1.1.1.1 •• 1••• 1•• 11,1,.1 •• 11 •••• 1.1.1 •• 1,1.1 •• 1.1.1 ••• 11 DATED MATERIAL