Spring 2018 Newsletter
Welcome to The Company of Fifers & Drummers Spring 2018 newsletter!
In this publication, we will cover events that have happened over the past few months, important updates, and upcoming events. This newsletter is sent by email to everyone who has been a member or has provided us their email in the past. If you prefer to receive this via email subscribe below.
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Here's what we have for you:
- Special Events
- Along the Frontier
- Featured Member
- From the Archives
- Jr. Fife and Drum Camp: Spring Update
- Remembrances
- A Quick Look Back: July 2018
- Upcoming Events
- Contribute to the Next Newsletter
Special Events
Kentish Guards Awards Banquet
The annual Kentish Guards Fife and Drum Corps Awards Banquet was held Saturday, January 20th at the Eleven Forty-Nine Restaurant in East Greenwich, RI, with 35 members and guests in attendance. This event is a time to both acknowledge members for their participation in the past year and also to say thank you to spouses and significant others for putting up with this "peculiar hobby."
Details of the event are available here: Kentish Guards Hold Annual Banquet
Chantey Night Benefit Recap
On Saturday, February 24, 2018 the Company of Fifers & Drummers hosted a Sea Chantey Concert. The evening was filled with songs of the sea, bigger than life performances, lots of laughs, renewed and even some new friendships.
A full writeup on the event is available here: Chantey Night Benefit Recap
Along the Frontier
Freezer Jam 2018
Freezer Jam was founded twenty three years ago as a chance for Midwest corps to get together for fellowship and performing during the winter months. The 2018 Freezer Jam was held on February 3rd in Bourbonnais Illinois and was hosted by the Theatiki Fife and Drum Corps.
Read the full writeup on our 2018 Freezer Jam Recap
Featured Member
Charlie Terzi is now in his 20th year serving the fife and drum community. Each Monday night since 1998 Charlie has moderated the Fife & Drum Music Chat, an online chat group about fifing and drumming. The chat has brought diverse members of our community together, broken down barriers, and connected people.
Read the full Member Profile on Charlie Terzi.
From the Archives
Les Longworth - Remembering the “Company Cartoonist”
Leslie L. Longworth (1936-2009) was a talented artist as well as a long-time member of the Sudbury Ancients and the Company of Fifers & Drummers.
Over a span of thirty-three years, the Ancient Times contained examples of his wit and humor, as he captured many of the unique aspects of fifing and drumming with his cartoon "snapshots."
Learn more about Les Longworth, the Company Cartoonist
An Early Twentieth Century Fife and Drum Corps
Sometimes a single picture can lead to unexpected research! An image of the First National Drum Corps, an early twentieth century fife and drum corps, has yielded interesting tidbits.
Read more about the First National Drum Corps
Just a reminder: if you are interested in becoming a Volunteer in the Archives, training will be offered in April, 2018. Email acting curator Marty Sampson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.
Jr. Fife & Drum Camp: Spring Update
The Northeast may have been hit by a third nor'easter in less than two weeks, but that hasn’t stopped Junior Camp preparations. For the third year in a row, camp has filled very quickly - this year, in less than a day. Plus, like last year, we have a waiting list. The future of fife and drum is strong!
This year, you can look forward to hearing the camp kids play the music of the American Civil War at the Deep River Tattoo. At camp, our young fifers and drummers will be learning and playing music primarily from Bruce and Emmett as well as "The American Veteran Fifer."
A few fun 2018 camp statistics:
- Campers come from 12 states
- 10% of campers are from the midwest and 20% are from non-New England states
- We have one camper coming all the way from California!
- Our young musicians represent 29 corps
- 1/4 of our campers are new
- Our camp staff volunteers their time to work at camp, some working year-round to make camp happen. Most staff takes vacation time to work at camp. We do this to make camp as affordable as possible for families.
Find out more about camp! We welcome everyone in the fife and drum community to follow all the camp happenings on the Junior Fife and Drum Camp website and Facebook page
See you at the next muster and definitely at Deep River!
- Tanya Morrisett, contributor
Remembrances
This Spring we mourn the passing of three members of our community.
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Robert "Anthony" Lecce, IIIRobert "Anthony" Lecce, III, of Salem and formerly of Old Mystic, passed away unexpectedly Saturday (March 10, 2018) at home at the age of 23. Read more about Anthony Lecce |
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Leo BrennanLeo J. Brennan, 83, of Madison, CT passed peacefully away on January 9, 2018, surrounded by his loving family. Read more about Leo Brennan |
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William ReidWilliam R. Reid 87, of Old Saybrook, CT passed away on January 2nd, a Military War Veteran who proudly served his country as an MP. Read more about Bill Reid |
A Quick Look Back: July 2017
Last July, the Bristol County fifes & drums (BCFD) hosted the Argovia Rebels in Rhode Island for a joint performance at McCoy Staduim, home of the Pawtucket Red Sox baseball team. The 2 groups took part in a joint pre game performance, finding common ground in music. The BCFD finished with the National Anthem before the members of both corps retreated to the stands for some good ole American baseball, beer and hot dogs.
Cheers to our friends from Switzerland!
- Jenay Evans, contributor
Upcoming Events
Corps Announcements
No Foolin’ Jam
Get those instruments ready and come out on Saturday, April 7 for a fun afternoon of fifing and drumming at the 24th annual No Foolin’ Jam hosted by the Adamsville Ancients!
This year’s Jam will once again be held at the Irish American Center on 375 Ontario Street in Albany, New York. The festivities kick off at 1 pm with the first tune of the day and the jamming will continue in the big hall throughout the afternoon. Complimentary drinks and snacks will be available all afternoon and a delicious mid-afternoon buffet prepared by the Albany Ladies Ancient Order of Hibernians will be served to all jam attendees. A cash bar will also be available.
More details are available here: Adamsville Ancients to Host Annual No Foolin’ Jam!
Chester 150 Anniversary
The Chester Drum Corps will be celebrating their 150th Anniversary with a Muster at the Chester Fairgrounds on September 22, 2018. 150th Anniversaries are rare in the fife and drum community, and the Chester has a deep history that some may not be aware of.
Read more about the Chester Drum Corps history and their celebration planned for this summer
Each Monday Night
Make sure you stop by the Fife and Chat on Monday evenings to reconnect with your peers and talk about all things fife and drum. Hosted by Charlie Terzi, Fife & Drum Music Chat is in its 20th year of online discussion. Be it Ancient, Modern or re-enacting, join the conversation on Monday Nights from 7-9 PM ET.
http://fifedrumchat.com/chat.aspx
Community Events
- Saturday, April 7 - No Foolin’ Jam
- Sunday, April 8 - April Housekeeping Work Party
- Saturday, May 5 - William Diamond Juniors Muster
- Fri-Sat, July 13-14 - The National Muster
You can see these events on the fife and drum events calendar on our website and our Facebook page.
Company of Fifers & Drummers Meetings
Saturday, April 21, 2018
- Executive Committee Meets at 11:00 AM
- General Meeting (Corps & Individual Member) Meets at 1:30 PM
Contribute to the Next Newsletter!
If you have something you would like to contribute to the next newsletter - events, articles, announcements, etc - please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. All submissions must be received by June 1st 2018.