Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps performs at a celebration commemorating the 225th anniversary of the American victory at the Siege of Yorktown, during the American Revolutionary War.

The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is one of four premier musical organizations of the United States Army. Members perform using musical instruments and wearing uniforms similar to those used by military musicians of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.

It is the only unit of its kind in the United States' armed forces, and is part of the 3rd U.S. Infantry ("The Old Guard"). The Fife and Drum Corps has been stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia, since its founding on February 23, 1960. Because members of the corps are classified under a protected Military Occupational Specialty (42-Sierra), there are men and women who have spent their entire military careers in the Fife and Drum Corps–a career track virtually unheard of elsewhere in the U.S. Army.

Musicians

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps perform during a State Arrival Ceremony held on the South Lawn of the White House.

FDC members are traditionally recruited from the ranks of civilian fife and drum groups, mostly from the East Coast of the United States. On parade, FDC musicians wear uniforms patterned after those worn by the Continental Army musicians during the American Revolution. Continental Army musicians generally (but not always) wore uniforms that were opposite in color to their parent infantry unit. This helped commanders recognize their musicians through the smoke of battle. The uniform worn by FDC today is patterned after the uniforms worn by the First American Regiment of 1784, to which the Old Guard traces its roots. It consists of a black tricorn hat, a white wig, a buff colored waistcoat, colonial coveralls, and the red great coat.

The 70-member Corps uses 10-hole fifes, handmade rope-tensioned drums and single-valve bugles. While traveling, the marching strength of the unit is normally 22 musicians, plus the drum major and support personnel.

Drum major

The drum major of the unit is distinguished from the other musicians of the unit by two items: his/her headgear, the light-infantry Cap (rather than tricorn hat), and by his/her espontoon (which looks to be a spear) rather than the large heavy mace carried by most military drum majors. The espontoon is a weapon (and badge of office) that was carried by officers during the 18th century; today it is used by the drum major of the FDC to issue silent commands to the unit while they are performing. The drum major is also the only person in the United States Armed forces who is authorized to salute with his left hand.

Performances

As an official representative of the U.S. Army, the Corps averages over 500 performances annually. The Corps has entertained millions of people in major parades, pageants and historical celebrations throughout the United States; and has served America as a goodwill ambassador as far away as Europe, Australia and Canada. Major sporting events the Corps has performed at include NCAA bowl games, NBA games, NFL games (including Super Bowls), the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, and the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, New York.

In support of the President of the United States, the Corps performs at armed forces arrival ceremonies for visiting dignitaries and heads of state at the White House, and has participated in every Presidential inaugural parade since President John F. Kennedy's in 1961 (as well as his funeral). Today both men and women are members of the unit.

Gallery

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  The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps thrill an audience with their musical skills while on parade in 2008. The unit recalls the American Revolutionary era by dressing in colonial uniform and tricorn hats.

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  Members of the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps parade on the South Lawn of the White House during a State Arrival Ceremony for Pope Benedict XVI on April 16, 2008.

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  United States Army Staff Sgt. Brian L. Barnhart, a snare drummer with the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment's Fife and Drum Corps, trails the ensemble down Sheridan Avenue on Fort Myer during a January 9, 2009 rehearsal for then President-elect Barack Obama's upcoming inaugural parade.

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  The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps seen marching down Pennsylvania Avenue during the presidential inaugural parade held on January 20, 2009.

See also

• Fife and drum blues

References

• Old Guard Fife and Drum Official Website
• Abbott James A., and Elaine M. Rice. Designing Camelot: The Kennedy White House Restoration. Van Nostrand Reinhold: 1998. ISBN 0-442-02532-7.
• Clinton, Hillary Rodham. An Invitation to the White House: At Home with History. Simon & Schuster: 2000. ISBN 0-684-85799-5.
• Garrett, Wendell. Our Changing White House. Northeastern University Press: 1995. ISBN 1-55553-222-5.