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A fife, pictured at right, is a member of the flute family. The drums are snare and bass drums both. We play folk music that once was quite popular. "Yankee Doodle" is an example. There are many others.
The melodies are both medieval and modern. Swiss mercenaries in medieval Europe played these instruments, because they could be heard above the noise of battle and, therefore, used to signal. The drumming style is known as the rudimental style not because it is simple or simplistic, but because of the drumming patterns, called the rudiments. The rudiments are probably as old as the music itself.
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Photo courtesy of Florance Drum Co., Honesdale, PA |
Some of the martial sounding tunes that linger have nothing to do with battle. "The Roast Beef of Old England" for example, was actually used to signal soldiers to assemble for the noon meal. "My Dog and Gun" was used to gather soldiers for roll call. For ceremonial parades, popular tunes were used. One, "Soldier's Joy" traces back to the American Revolution. It is still played today as a bluegrass hoedown.
Some might think openings in a fife and drum corps might be few. Not really. Joining is a good way to learn music basics and how to play in an ensemble. Youthful drummers who learn the rudiments can play later in any style. Music students add to their portfolios. Adults get to dust off dormant musical skills, or develop new ones.
New fife students are given a student model fife at the first lesson. This will be theirs to keep.
Drum students are asked to provide their own drumsticks. The drums that the corps plays are property of the Kaw Valley Fife & Drum Corps. These will be loaned to the drummer upon completion of a year's study. Until then, a drum will be reserved for new drummers at corps rehearsals. KVFDC rehearsals are at the Americana Music Academy, 1419 Massachusetts St., Lawrence, KS on Wednesday evenings from 7:30 to 9:00.
What about uniforms? It's true that uniform dress is traditional in marching bands of all kinds. And such is also the case with the Kaw Valley Fife & Drum Corps. We want to make it easy. A pair of black slacks, a white long sleeved dress shirt or blouse, and comfortable black dress shoes, are items that almost everyone has in the closet. A cap can be made from a pair of old blue jeans. We have the pattern, so the cap can be made for you.
How do you join? Simple; you have to be at least 10 years old. You don't need to know how to play the fife or drum; we offer instruction through The Americana Music Academy. Contact us for more information.
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