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Tippecanoe Ancient
Fife & Drum Corps |
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The music of the fifes and drums is the earliest form of military music in America. The early colonizing forces of Britain, France, and Holland, and perhaps even Spain brought with them their fifes and drums. During long marches, battles, and daily life in camp, the music of the fifes and drums played a very functional part in every phase of the foot-soldier's existence. During the marches, drummer boys used a variety of beatings to keep the men moving along in some semblance of order. During the battles the thundering of the drums could be heard above the musketry and was the commanding officer's way of signaling to his men. During camplife each duty of the day from sun-up to sun-down was signaled by the fifes and drums. But not only were the drummers and fifers signalmen, they were also entertainers as their merry music was welcomed during the long hours of encampment. Learned by rote, the music they played to boost the morale of the troops portrayed the spirit of the soldier, be it religious, patriotic, or folk music. |
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Les Compagnies Franches de la Marine
recreated in 1969 on the banks of the Wabash by
The Tippecanoe Ancient Fife & Drum Corps |
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