Revolutionary War history comes to life with the Fife and Drum of York Town performances along Yorktown’s Riverwalk and on the East Coast.
Made up of children aged 10 to 18, the 36 members and their parents are all volunteers, said Nikki Goetz, board president. Her son, Ben, started seven years ago when he was 10 years old.
“He saw them perform and fell in love with it,” she said.
The group teaches Revolutionary War-era fife and drum music that is part of United States history. The group teaches the music, 18th century history, leadership skills and public speaking.
The group started in 1976 in York County when the United States was celebrating the bicentennial. It developed into a nonprofit organization that presents about 100 performances a year, mostly in Yorktown.
The group has also performed at the Jefferson Memorial, United States Capitol, Gettysburg Battlefield, the Virginia Governor’s Mansion, the Statue of Liberty and the Eiffel Tower in France.
Corps members are not just Yorktown residents. Goetz said they have members from Gloucester County, Chesapeake, Smithfield and Ashland. They practice one night a week.
Because it’s a Colonial Regimental Unit, members rise in rank as their skills progress.
Beginners first learn marching and how to play an instrument. During the parades, they carry a flag.
They are then promoted to the Junior Corps to perform as uniform members.
When they can handle both the music and drill, they become Senior Corps and given the rank of corporal. That allows them to wear the historically accurate regimental uniform, which Goetz said is made of wool and worn year-round.
Corps members also give history lessons, telling visitors about what Fife and Drum Corps did to help win the revolution.
While there are many volunteers behind the Fife and Drum of York Town, music instructors are paid.
Stephen Southard is a field music instructor and president of the Fife and Drum 750-member alumni association.
An occupational safety specialist for the U.S. Air Force, he joined in 1989 when he was 13 years old. At the time, he was living in Alabama with his father.
He saw the group perform while visiting his mother and stepfather who lived in Hampton Roads and relocated to be in the corps.
“I thought it was neat to listen to sound-wise. I liked the level of percussion and the historical context. There was nothing like it in Alabama,” he said.
The interest in field music is worldwide with people connecting through the nonprofit, Field Music Association.
“They are from Texas, Germany, Scotland and Thailand. We connect quarterly on Zoom,” he said.
This year, the convention will be in Yorktown in November.
“Overall, the goal of Fife and Drum is to be an ambassador to the public,” Southland said.
