Fife and Drums Corps Muster Saturday at Fort Ti

Fort Ti Fife and Drum musterFort Ticonderoga’s annual Fife and Drum Corps Muster will be held on Saturday, July 27.

The Fife and Drum Corps muster will highlight several Fife and Drum Corps from across the northeast performing throughout the day as well as performances from current and former Fort Ticonderoga Fife & Drum Corps members.

From the American Revolution, to the Civil War, to modern commemoration, guests will learn about the practical purpose of fifes and drums and enjoy the stirring rhythms and tunes of these classic marches and camp songs.

“The Fife & Drum Corps Muster highlights the role Fife & Drum music has played in the commemoration of American history. Fife and Drum Corps gained increased popularity during the American bicentennial celebrations,” said Beth Hill, Fort Ticonderoga President and CEO. “In 18th century military life, fifes and drums served as one of the primary modes of battlefield communication and camp regulation.”

Fort Ticonderoga formed its first Fife and Drum Corps in 1926 on the eve of the 150th anniversary celebrations of American Independence.  The Corps performed at the Fort each summer until the beginning of World War II.  In 1973, in preparation for the bicentennial, Fort Ticonderoga revived the Fife and Drum Corps to perform daily during the Fort’s summer season. The Fife and Drum Corps has performed every year since and has been featured performers at many major public events including the 1980 Lake Placid Winter Olympic Games, the christening of the US Navy Guided Missile Cruiser USS Ticonderoga CG-47, and several Evacuation Day parades in Boston, Mass.

Today the Fort Ticonderoga Fife and Drum Corps is comprised of Ticonderoga area high school students who are paid employees of Fort Ticonderoga, an independent not-for-profit educational organization.  The Fife and Drum Corps is part of Fort Ticonderoga’s Interpretive Department whose focus brings to life Fort Ticonderoga’s specific history through daily interpretive programs, historic trades and special events.

Admission to the Fife & Drum Corps muster is included in a Fort Ticonderoga’s general admission ticket.  A special evening Twilight Fife & Drum Corps performance will be presented at 7 p.m. on the Fort parade ground.  Tickets for the evening program are $10, children 4 years and younger are free and Friends of Fort Ticonderoga are free. Admission to the Twilight Concert is included in a Clambake ticket which will also take place at Fort Ticonderoga from 3 to 6 p.m. on July 27.

To learn more about the event visit www.fortticonderoga.org or call 518-585-2821.