FIFE AND DRUM MUSIC is as American as baseball, apple pie and ... well,
Yankee Doodle. Although we regard it as uniquely American, this patriotic
style of music is actually loved world-wide. Like the shot heard 'round
the world, the sound of American fife and drum music echoes around the
globe.
Connecticut is the heart of fife and drum corps activity and home
of The Company of Fifers & Drummers, a nonprofit organization formed
in 1965 to perpetuate the historical significance and folk traditions
of fife and drum music and to foster the spirit of fellowship among
fifers and drummers everywhere.
The Company has extended the boundaries of the fife and drum community,
known as the Ancients, far beyond New England. Their roster lists corps,
individuals and institutional members all across the United States and
in Europe and Great Britain as well.
The Company owns and maintains The Museum of Fife & Drum at its
headquarters in Ivoryton, Connecticut. Here you can see many artifacts
displayed, some dating back to the 18th and 19th Century.
Among the resources available to its members are a Music Library, Archives,
Company Store, Video Library and various committees that provide expertise
and assistance to it members as well as coordinating and organizing
events to kindle interest in and increase public exposure to American
field music. The Music Committee regularly publishes and records fife
and drum music. The Ancient Times is published quarterly by The Company
to keep its members throughout the world informed on the activities
of the Ancients.
We hope you enjoy your visit here. Tour The Museum of Fife & Drum,
stop in at the Music Library, sign our Guestbook and come back often!
Feel free to contact us with your questions and comments about fifing
and drumming.
This prayer was written for The Company in January, 1967
by Father Kenneth H. Kinner, Chaplain Emeritus. In addition to being
respected for his devotion to his vocation, Fr. Kinner is also admired
by his friends in the fife and drum world for his his ability to play
the snare drum.
ALMIGHTY GOD, Father of freedom, Author of the blessings
of liberty; we thank you for the great company of Ancient musicians
who in their several generations have been instruments in the search
for human dignity and messengers in the pursuit of happiness; we commend
all who have marched before us into Your safe keeping, seeking for ourselves
such wisdom and understanding as may strengthen us as citizens of a
free society, inspiring in others a like desire by our music and example;
we ask Your protection for fifers and drummers throughout the land and
the hope of your Divine Providence for all men. Amen.
