Fifers and Drummers - Unsung Heros!
We put in endless hours over the course of many years to learn our craft, but few observers have any conception of the depth of our commitment. We research the music. We obtain appropriate uniforms, then we practice, practice, and practice some more. We don't own the music we play...we are merely its custodians. We carry it on for future generations, and it is most important that we all work together to fulfill this legacy. There is only one organization in the entire world that understands our position and our passion, and does its best to keep us all informed. That organization is The Company of Fifers & Drummers.
Organized in 1965, and operated entirely by unpaid volunteers, the organization is based in Ivoryton, Connecticut, but its members are from all over the world. At the Company's headquarters, it maintains The Museum of Fife and Drum, which conserves and displays musical artifacts dating from the 18th, 19th, and 20th Centuries. Now, many of my visitors may never make it to the museum, but the Company also maintains an extensive Music Library, Archives, The Company Store, a Video Library and various committees whose purpose is to assist all of its members in any way that they can. The Music Library has over 400 accessions over the span of 3 centuries of fife and drum music from the United States, United Kingdom, Ireland, France, Germany and Switzerland. Also available is the National Tune Index, comprised of over 58,000 tunes from 1636 to 1836. Copies of most articles in the Library collection are available for a nominal fee to members. Unfortunately, some are still under copyright. This work is performed by one of the most unsung and heroic members of them all: Sue Cifaldi.
A subscription to the Company's official publication, the Ancient Times, is a very important component of membership. It contains all sorts of photos, timely articles, historical items, poetry, music, and countless other interesting subjects, all of which are related to fifing and drumming.
Let's all do our duty and support this wonderful organization by joining today!
Just click the button.
Not convinced? For a free copy of the Ancient Times, click the button below.
As a final note, The Company of Fifers and Drummers is a non-profit organization. I don't know any wealthy fifers and drummers, but some of them drive nice cars. Tax-deductible donations are welcome.