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The Middlesex County 4-H Fife & Drum Corps was formed in 1972 as a 4-H club in Concord, Massachusetts in anticipation of that town’s celebration the bicentennial. Its members come from different towns in eastern Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Members range in age from 8 to 18.
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[edit] Youth Empowerment
Youth leadership is the cornerstone of 4-H. This makes the Middlesex County 4-H Fife & Drum Corps somewhat unique amoungst youth fife and drum corps in that the kids take on most of the leadership roles. They make decisions about music and presentation, they determine the program for each event, and work with adult event organizers during the event. During a performance, the youth leaders make all decisions without assistance from adults. Other leadership opportunities are as varied as running the fife or drum line, helping teach the beginners, checking uniforms, or mentoring new members. A teaching group, members learn music, American history, leadership, and are able to present themselves in a professional and disciplined manner well beyond their age.
[edit] Music and History
As with othere fife and drum groups, the Middlesex County 4-H Fife & Drum Corps perptuates the centuries-old tradition of fife & drum music. The corps primarily plays music of the 1700’s.
[edit] Performances
The 4-H corps plays at musters, parades and civic ceremonies; performaing at about twenty performances each year. The 4-H Fifes & Drums has marched through the hallways of the Museum of Fine Arts, participated in living history days at our National Historical Parks, performed at the Lincoln Center in new York, and performed for crowds in Market Square in Colonial Williamsburg. In July 2004, they had the special honor of being chosen to play at the Fleet Center in Boston for the Democratic National Convention. Each April, they continue the tradition of performing as the Honor Corps for the Concord Patriots Day parade as they lead the procession across the historic North Bridge to commemorate the start of the American Revolution.
Color Guard, Fifers and Drummers
New members may choose to play the fife, the snare drum or the bass drum. No previous musical experience is necessary. The teachers are volunteers from other excellent corps who want to pass down their own love of this musical tradition. All members march with the color guard until they pass off the tunes required to march with the fife or drum line. This gives them a chance to learn to follow marching commands as well as participate with the corps soon after joining.
Family Involvement
4-H corps members are quite independent in their roles within the corps, but this is made possible by an extraordinary support network of parents and teachers. Families are welcome at all practices and events. Parents are encouraged to dress in 18th century clothing in order to accompany the corps in parades. There is a rotating snack schedule for each practice, and there are always jobs to be done by willing parents. In fact, the corps often feels like one big family, full of loyalty and support for one another.
[edit] Uniforms and Instruments
The uniform of the corps is green and white, the official colors of the national 4-H organization. The style of the uniform --tri-corn hats, relatively short vented waistcoats, gathered shirtsleeves, fall-front breeches, buttoned haversacks, and leather garters-- is based on styles worn in New England in the 1770’s. Most uniform parts are loaned to members by the corps. The corps provides plastic fifes for fifers when they begin music instruction. Later, the fifers must buy wooden fifes of their own when they enter the fife line. Beginning drummers must buy their own practice pads and sticks. However, once they are ready to enter the drum line, drummers are issued a drum by the corps.
