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About & AroundFort Ticonderoga to Host 2005 National Fife and Drum Corps Muster August 6-7th During the first weekend in August, Fort Ticonderoga will reverberate with the thunderous sound of over 600 fifes and drums as it hosts the National Fife and Drum Corps Muster August 6-7, 2005 . While the Fort has traditionally hosted a muster during the first weekend in August, this is the first time this high-profile National Muster will be held at the Fort. Musician/reencators from throughout the United States and Canada will perform at this once-in-a-lifetime event. Among the well-known corps attending the Muster is the Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps from the 3 rd United States Infantry Regiment. This elite corps represents the United States Army at military and civilian ceremonies, parades, funerals and other functions throughout the nation and around the world. In addition, the well-known fife & drum corps from Williamsburg and His Majesty's 41 st Regiment of Foot Field Music from Ontario , Canada will perform. Visitors will be able to hear and see 34 corps reenacting 18 th - and 19 th -century military music on the Fort's Parade Ground and at two additional Fort locations. These elite units will perform using fifes and drums and wearing period uniforms. The historic periods to be represented are the French & Indian War, the American Revolution, the War of 1812, and the Civil War. The schedule for Saturday, August 6 th is as follows: 9:00 am : Flag Raising Ceremony and welcome by dignitaries at Fort Ticonderoga The schedule for Sunday, August 7 th is as follows: 9:30 am : Corps performances on the Fort Parade Ground and additional Fort venues The cost to attend each day of the National Fife & Drum Corps Muster is the cost of regular Fort admission, $12 for adults, $10.80 for seniors and college students, $6.00 for students age 7-12, and free for children under 7. The Freedom Concert scheduled for Saturday evening, August 6 th at 7:30 pm is $1.00 per person. Fort Ticonderoga is a 2,000-acre educational not-for-profit historic site in New York and Vermont preserved and managed by the Fort Ticonderoga Association. The Fort is open daily from May 10 – October 23, 2005 . Hours are 9:00 – 5:00 . Admission is $12/adults, $10.80/seniors and students, $6/children ages 7 – 12, and free for children under 7. Friends of Fort Ticonderoga and residents of Ticonderoga , Putnam, Hague, Silver Bay , Crown Point , New York and Orwell and Shoreham, Vermont receive free admission. For information call 518-585-2821 or visit www.fort-ticonderoga.org. A History of Fife & Drum Corps in AmericaFife and Drum Corps have a long history in this country that grew out of a tradition that had existed in Europe for many centuries. It's a tradition that has grown and declined over the years but is widely popular today. Historically there were two forms of military music: the band of music and field music, both of which contributed to military life in this country. The band of music probably began with 17 th century military bands in France and other parts of Europe . These bands usually consisted of oboes, a bass oboe or bassoon and possibly a French horn, trumpet or other instrument. Drums were added towards the end of the 18 th century. European musicians brought their music skills with them to America where the band of music continued in popularity. These bands usually consisted of professional, civilian musicians who were hired by officers to play at parades, during meals and for dancing. Field music is where the fife and drum tradition developed. In Europe , drummers and fifers were first organized to perform for special ceremonies and were used on the field to relay orders. They gained popularity in the 1400's among Swiss mercenary troops and soon spread throughout the continent and Great Britain . The British, French and Dutch all brought their fifes and drums with them to America , where soldiers were required to learn all the signals that were relayed to them in camp and on the battle field. Fifes and drums were also used to announce camp duties, such as mealtime, inspection and bedtime; accompany ceremonial functions and maintain morale among the troops. Drums were also used in civilian life to give warnings or signals. A company would usually have one fifer and one drummer, often a boy between the ages of 12 and 16, too young to carry arms. A regiment would then have a number of fifers and drummers although they seldom played together like we see them today. These boys were also expected to perform other duties such as delivering mail, cleaning or working in the hospitals. While they did wear military uniforms, they were usually in the opposite colors from the rest of their company, in order to distinguish them quickly on the field. Their vital use as the only means of communication during battle, made them indispensable to the army. Field bands were at their height during the American Revolution and were used through the War of 1812 and into the Civil War when they were mostly replaced by bugles. Many fifers and drummers did continue to play during peace time. Returning musicians would organize units in towns and neighborhoods where they would play for entertainment. Some units began to play more modern music, while others stayed with the traditional or “ancient” style. America 's Centennial of 1876 saw a resurgence of fife & drum corps, as a fervor of interest in the founding of America 100 years prior swept the country. Most of these units were interested in playing nostalgic or patriotic music for entertainment, with less emphasis on historical accuracy. There was a decline of fife & drum corps in the early 20 th century, almost dying out by WWII. The years following the war saw a slow resurgence with a huge growth spurt around 1976 with the country's bicentennial. Units that had disbanded years before were reconvened to play at parades and concerts around the country. Corps began to gather together to play at what would become Drum Corps Musters. In 1965 the Company of Fifers & Drummers, based in Connecticut , was formed which today counts 120 Corps in its membership. Today Fife & Drum Corps vary in their sound, tempo and choice of music. Some units strive to recreate the authentic music of the American Revolution or Civil War while others play a variety of music that grew out of the folk traditions of the late 19 th century. Those playing an earlier style of music, the so called ancient fife and drum corps, play at a slower marching tempo than contemporary military bands or marching bands heard now. Today you can see groups of all ages, playing a variety of styles, from all over the country, carrying on the tradition of fife and drum music. For further information about the Company of Fifers & Drummers visit www.companyoffifeanddrum.org . 2005 National Muster Participants – Fort Ticonderoga 3 rd New Jersey Volunteers, Oceanport , New Jersey
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