About the Junior Fifes & Drums
The Junior Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga are comprised of student volunteers in grades 6-12 who have a passion for music and history. This is an opportunity to build 18th-century musical performance skills and learn 18th-century trades with no experience required. Fort Ticonderoga offers free instruction on fife, drum, marching, and reading music as well as training in areas such as tailoring, shoemaking, carpentry, maritime trades, public speaking, and gardening.
Members of the Junior Fifes & Drums will have the opportunity to participate in parades and special events, practice and perform with the Senior Fifes & Drums, as well as experience the rich history of Fort Ticonderoga.
Volunteering at Fort Ticonderoga
The staff and volunteers at Fort Ticonderoga present the daily life of officers, soldiers, women, children, fifers, and drummers in the various armies of the French & Indian War and the Revolutionary War. Each year, we portray a different year in Ticonderoga’s history. Junior Fifes & Drums have the opportunity to participate in these exciting portrayals and Fort Ticonderoga’s signature living history events.
18th-century armies used fife and drum music to regulate camps, issue orders during battles, and provide an appropriate, stately boost to military reviews, parades, and other ceremonies. Much like in the 18th century, the Fife & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga illuminate the daily schedule through musical calls. In addition, the Fifes & Drums present daily music demonstrations explaining the important role fifers and drummers played in communicating commands from officers to the troops.
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Schedule
Rehearsal Schedule:
- Saturdays 9-10 am
Summer Volunteer Schedule:
- 2-5 days/week
- Rehearsal & any time volunteering in historic trades
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Contact Information
Fort Ticonderoga Director of Interpretation, Cameron Green: cgreen@fort-ticonderoga.org
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About the Senior Fifes & Drums
Founded in 1926, the Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga have played each summer since 1973. They performed at the 1980 Winter Olympic Games in Lake Placid and at the launch of the U.S.S. Ticonderoga in 1981. Today, the Fifes & Drums of Fort Ticonderoga represent military musicians who served at Ticonderoga historically. As Fort Ticonderoga portrays a different year in our history each year, the Fifes & Drums perform as the military musicians of different armies and times. The Fifes & Drums lead our recreated soldiers and visitors alike to demonstrations and tours with period marches. The regimental music celebrates its long history and that of the reconstructed fort and King’s Garden in concerts featuring a vast repertoire of favorite songs collected over the decades. From stirring to somber, enjoy the martial sounds of this band of excellent musicians.