Today it is impossible to imagine Colonial Williamsburg without a fife and drum corps. For 60 years the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums have entertained visitors, performed for national and world leaders and become an icon of Williamsburg itself.
Continue reading “Chapter 1”
By 1958 the Militia was performing regularly at special events, but without a fife and drum corps. A decision was made to bring a recognized New England fife and drum corps to perform during the 1958 Prelude to Independence ceremonies in May. One of the oldest and best New England corps was chosen, the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps from North Haven, Connecticut. The Lancraft Corps put on an impressive performance with the Militia for the Prelude to Independence ceremonies. The visit demonstrated how a viable fife and drum corps could perform with the Militia and add a significant dimension to the ceremony or performance and thus improve the visitors’ experience.
Continue reading “Chapter 2”The second performance of the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps in 1959 also involved another very important piece of the Corps’ history. Attending the performance as a spectator was George P. Carroll, a 26 year old Specialist 5 in The U.S. Army Band at Ft. Meyer, Virginia.
Continue reading “Chapter 3”In February 1960, the Corps (only 10 members and playing only a few tunes) performed for the Virginia Governor and General Assembly while they met in Williamsburg and also for stockholders of the C & O Railway annual meeting, also in Williamsburg. Fifer J.P. Cottingham and drummer Dallas Hodge joined in April and fifers Bruce Robertson and Stetson Tinkam joined in June.
Continue reading “Chapter 4”The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums made its first performance by two fifers and two drummers on July 4, 1958. During the 1960’s the CW Corps became one of the preeminent fife and drum corps in America, playing traditional historic music and wearing Revolutionary War uniforms. Over the years the CW Corps, which celebrates its 60th anniversary in 2018, has become an iconic symbol of Colonial Williamsburg itself.
Continue reading “Chapter 5”