Fife & Drum Calendar

In order to more fully participate in Civil War battle reenactments and other events, the Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps has been invited to associate with the Lancaster County Civil War Living History Association (LCCWLHA) as the Regimental Field Music of the 1^st Pennsylvania Reserves Volunteer Corps (1^st P.R.V.C.) The Federal Army of the Potomac listed the regiment as the 30^th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (30^th P.V.I.). Our Troop FDC acted as the Regimental Field Music for the 1^st and 2^nd PA Reserves at Gettysburg last November. Field musicians will be listed on the membership roles of the LCCWLHA. While no cost is involved for the fife and drum corps me mbers, parental consent is necessary. When at reenactments, the Fife and Drum will obey all the applicable rules of the Boys Scouts of America.

Another group that can facilitate participation in reenactment events is Boy Scouts of America Explorer Post 1863. The Post is chartered by the Lancaster County Historical Society. It is dedicated to learning about the Civil War Era of American History and participating as civilian or military reenactors at living history events. Boys or girls who are over the age of 14 and going into 9^th grade, but under 21 years of age, are eligible to join. All the Troop 53 FDC members over the age of 14 have signed up as members. Attendance at Post meetings is not required. Patrick Cassidy is an officer in the Post and can answer any questions. Mike Cassidy is a member of the Post Committee.

Given the interest at Gettysburg last November, when nine Troop 53 Scouts donned borrowed Civil War Uniforms and performed as the regimental field music for memorial ceremonies at Little Roundtop, several people have suggested requesting donations of used CW uniforms. Our needs are being publicized with local reenactment groups especially units recreating companies of the 1^st PA Reserves. We are also looking into acquiring some new uniforms—but not at troop expense.

FIFERS! We are looking at fife lessons at Millersville Univ. about every other week until May, beginning the last week in January. What days will work for you- TUES, WED, or THURS? LET US KNOW BY RETURN EMAIL OR PHONE ASAP!

FIFERS PRACTICE LIST—All in Upper Register! Donald really wants to make progress this year so practice up before our first lesson!

DRUMMERS! Jeanne Cassidy will call to discuss when it is best for Drummers to meet. If she hasn’t reached you, call her at 426-3941

BE PREPARED! Be prepared for lessons! And be prepared to welcome new members!

Saturday, January 27 Cub Pack 150 Pinewood Derby at Waldorf School , Marietta . Fife and Drum is invited to play at 9:30 am

Thursday, February 8 PA Dutch Council Explorer Dinner, Kohls Community Room, Park City Mall. CW Exployer Post 1863 is the featured Post. Small FDC group in CW uniform could play.

Mt Joy. Fife and Drum is scheduled to play. Recruitment Opportunity ! Small group in CW uniform is an option.

Fri- Sun, June 1-3, Don Hubbard Field Music School , Ft. Delaware , DE . See www.fieldmusicschool.com If there is sufficient interest we will register as a group.

After many rave reviews from camp staff last year, we will be asked to play again.

August 22 The reporter and photographer from Lancaster New Era will be at the Cassidys for pictures of the FDC. We will use that time for Scouts to pick out their uniforms for the Brittany's Hope Weekend!!! If needed make other uniform arrangements let us know. Meet at the Cassidys at 6:00 pm.

August 25 - 26 Brittany ’s Hope Reenactment Weekend, Elizabethtown PA (Charity Event)

Due to many conflicts we will not stay overnight. Meet at the Abel Home "Stone Gables" 1160 North Market St (just north of E-town) in Civil War Uniform... Saturday 9 am-5pm -- bring money for lunch or we will make a pizza run. Sunday 12 noon until 2 p.m?

We will have to leave the Cassidys by about 8:00 am returning mid afternoon.

Explorer Post 1863 is helping with color guard and civilians to expand our impression.

The 11th PVI Fife and Drum from Gettysburg will fill out our numbers. But it is our show!

September 15-16 Lancaster County Historical Society Civil War Living History Weekend--An Explorer Post 1863 event where our help is sorely needed. Scouts can do one day or the other, if not both. Explorers will camp overnight. Mark your calandars and stay tuned. NEW ADDITION TO SCHEDULE

October 5-7 US Army 3^rd Reg. “Old Guard” JR Workshop, Fort Myer, Arlington VA

October 13 Millersville Homecoming parade --a possible paid event ANY INTEREST?

If parents are interested in staying overnight Fri &Sat talk to the Cassidys NOW

Other invitations are beginning to come in for reenactment and patriotic events.

Contact Mike or Jeanne Cassidy with any questions or concerns—phone 426-3941

BSA Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps Returns form US Army Workshop and Prepares for Upcoming Gettysburg Performances.

Five members of the Boy Scout Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps attended the third annual Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps Junior’s Workshop on October 6 & 7, 2007. The workshop was held at Fort Myer in Arlington , Virginia .

The Fife and Drum Corps is part of the US Army’s Third Infantry Regiment.As one of the United States Army's premier musical organizations, the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps has inspired audiences throughout the Nation and abroad for 47 years. Founded on February 23, 1960, the men and women of the Corps proudly carry on musical traditions that accompanied the birth of our Nation. The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps often play at White House ceremonies as the President hosts foreign dignitaries.

The Junior Workshop provided fifers with instruction in producing good tone and practice techniques. Drummers learned warm-up exercises and practiced drum rudiments with the members of the Old Guard. Participants were treated to a performance of old Guard’s 2007 Show on Saturday followed by a cookout on base. The workshop closed on Sunday afternoon with grand performance by all the workshop participants. Attending this year’s workshop were fifers Darian Erb -Silver Spring, Casey Hungler -Marietta, and Matt Bortner - Mount Joy, along with drummers Adam Neideigh -Mount Joy and Josh Riley -Elizabethtown.

Scouts were accompanied by their fife instructor Donald Heminitz of Millersville and Scout leaders Mike Cassidy, David Erb and Dennis Neideigh. The Hungler family also joined the group for Sunday’s performance finale.

The next event for the Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps is the 2007 Remembrance Day ceremonies and parade in Gettysburg on November 17. The fife and drum will participate in these events in full Civil War uniform as the Field Music of the 1^st Pennsylvania Reserves Volunteer Corps, Army of the Potomac . Remembrance Day is held each year to commemorate Lincoln ’s Gettysburg Address at the dedication of the cemetery for Union soldiers killed at the Battle of Gettysburg in 1863. Troop 53 will participate in fife and drum “jam sessions” on Friday night, a Saturday morning memorial march to place wreaths along the line of battle of the 1^st PA Reserves and march in the grand parade on Saturday afternoon. More jam sessions and other events are planned for Saturday evening.

The Boy Scout Troop 53 Fife and Drum Corps currently has fifteen members from Columbia , Elizabethtown , Ironville, Rheems, Marietta . Maytown, Mount Joy , Silver Spring , and Lititz. Boys ages 11-18 who wish to find out more about Troop 53 and the Fife and Drum may contact Troop 53 Assistant Scoutmaster Mike Cassidy at 717-426-3941 or email newrycassidy@comcast.net

For more information on the US Army Old Guard see http://www.army.mil/fifeanddrum/index.html

An Old Guard fifer looks on as scout/muscians Casey Hungler and Darian Erb prepare for a performance as other fifers including Matt Bortner watch.