Facts and Information
The Music We Play
We play Yankee Doodle and other rousing music that reflects American pride and patriotism! We play music of the 18th century when our country was young and battling for freedom from a king. However, we do not absolutely adhere to traditional music of the 1700’s, which is why you might hear an occasional Irish tune or songs from more modern eras.
Our music resources come primarily from The Company of Fifers and Drummers located in Ivoryton, Connecticut and from the website, Fife and Drum.org.
In the tradition of all fife and drum corps, members are required to memorize each of the tunes that we play. Not having a sheet of music to read from is less a burden than a source of personal pride and achievement.
The Clothing We Wear
All F&D corps wear some form of 18th or 19th century attire. Some military reenactment corps utilize a full military uniform. (The Pawtuxet Rangers of Rhode Island are representative of this choice. The Rangers were chartered as a militia in 1774 in anticipation of increasing tensions between the colonies and Britain.) Such uniforms can be costly.
Corps often adopt a simple and less expensive uniform of breeches, shirt and colored waistcoat or vest.
The Treasure Coast Fife and Drum Corps has chosen to dress in the manner of the various citizens of the time. Our attire of the farm-based and village-based citizenry probably best reflects most of the early militias formed at the time.
Clothing can be purchased on line from such places as Townsends. Homemade clothing is also perfectly acceptable. Such clothing is less expensive as well as being a source of personal pride.
The Instruments We Use
The fife is a wooden instrument that had its origins in medieval Europe. Our members use fifes that are tuned to the the key of B flat. There are a range of prices for fifes depending upon the wood used and the manufacturer.
Our corps always has a supply of ‘student’ fifes available for sale at cost, not much more than $10. These fifes are new and unused. They are made of a heavy plastic but have a very good tonal quality.
The drums used, both snare and bass, are known as rope tension drums. They consist of a wooden shell bent by steam into a cylinder with a drumhead at either end that is held on by hoops. A rope zig zags around the drum. By sliding leather ‘ears’ on the ropes, the rope can be made shorter, thus pulling the hoops toward each other and making the drum head more taut.
Unfortunately, drums can be expensive although used drums may be found at a lower price. Until we obtain a sponsor, the cost of a drum will have to be born by the member.
Young Members
The Treasure Coast Fife and Drum Corps recognizes that young people are very often skilled and enthusiastic members and we welcome them, as long as they are accompanied by an adult who is responsible for them.
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Below is a video that demonstrates what young fifers and drummers are capable of!