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| Me as a fifer |
After marching as a Colonial Militia fifer in the September 12, 2009 march in Washington, D.C., I realized what a great living history lesson could be had wearing period costumes and playing period music from our nation's founding. I went home and shared my excitement with my
home school band students, and several of them wanted to join me in forming our own fife and drum corps.
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| Our 1st gig October 2009 for the Conservative Lunch Bunch |
All I knew about a fife and drum corps was what the Delaware corps had taught me in our several hours together in D.C. I read everything I could find plus watched many youtube videos of competitive F&D corps as well as more amateur groups of children to get ideas. From our humble beginnings we gradually added a uniform and better instruments.
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| December 2009 Christmas parade--it was 32 degrees here! |
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| "Washington Crossing the Delaware" float followed us |
The many groups we played with or for didn't seem to mind that we weren't "professional." They were thrilled that a group of homeschooled children were willing to dress up and play Yankee Doodle, British Grenadiers, Rally 'Round the Flag, Chester, the Star Spangled Banner, America the Beautiful, and God Bless America. For our first (Christmas) parade in nearby Boerne, Texas we asked my tall, handsome, noble-looking husband to be our General Washington, and he eventually had a more authentic costume, too, once I learned the hang of the very complicated 18th century coat pattern.
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| Before the local April 15, 2010 tax day tea party rally |
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| September 11, 2010 memorial at courthouse |
Our reputation grew, and we were invited to Houston four hours away for a large Tea Party rally in which we marched with a man who is a SERIOUS George Washington re-enactor. He has his own white ponytail and a white horse!
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| General Washington in Houston |
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| "Our" General Washington who's a good sport & wears a wig |
We marched in parades and to open various events, once for the Daughters of the American Revolution, and twice for the Sons of the American Revolution. Our last performance was in March 2012 for the SAR State Convention. After that the students were all just too busy to devote so much time to this venture, especially when it appeared that we were going to have more and more requests. I still occasionally get requests more than two years later!
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| When Governor Perry came to town (behind me) |
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| Our only formal "portrait" (I'm front row, far left) |
I still have my fife, and I still practice it. I'll probably never have another chance to participate in a group this cool again, but it does help me keep my piccolo embouchure in shape, and the piercing sounds of "Yankee Doodle" bring back a whole lot of fond memories.
I remember reading your posts about it while it was going on. What a cool thing to get started. I'm sure if you ever wanted to do it again you would find lots of home schoolers wanting to participate.
ReplyDeleteDiana, it really WAS cool! But I'm not sure it could ever happen again, at least not here. There isn't a big enough pool of kids to draw from to keep it going. I sold (at a greatly reduced price) most of our equipment to a Boerne band director who wanted to start a F&D corps with his kids. I hope he's still going, because it is such a great opportunity for everyone involved. :)
DeleteI tried to comment but I don't see it so I will try again. I hope it doesn't put it up twice!
ReplyDeleteMy boys still talk about being in the Fife and Drum. Wonderful memories! Jacob still plays his fife and marches around the house. Thank you Katy for all the time and love you put into this and my boys!
Diane, thanks for being persistent. Sometimes the comment box on here hiccups or something.
DeleteI really enjoyed working with your boys and miss all of you very much! So thankful we have all those good memories. :) I'm glad Jacob plays his fife--you never know, he might have an opportunity to do it again someday....
I cannot tell you how much Ciara and appreciate the opportunities you gave us through Fife and Drum! The life experience as well as the musical experience for Ciara was absolutely PRICELESS!
ReplyDeleteTheresa, I'm so glad you and Ciara were both able to be a part of something so special. I miss you very much!
DeleteMrs. Jones,
ReplyDeleteI will never be able to put into words how much my Fife and Drum experience has shaped me into who I am today. Your passion for the group provided the bond that kept all of us inspired and motivated to remind our citizens where our nation came from. It will forever give me the passion to rekindle within our nation's youth the fire of liberty that our Founding Fathers lit for us. When I hear the piercing sound of the fife and the roar of the drum, I will always remember with a smile on my face and pride in my soul that I was a part of a group that was founded and sustained by love of country and love for each other. Thank you again and God bless you Mrs. Jones.
Love,
Bode
(P.S. I got to wear my uniform recently and everybody was so amazed by the craftsmanship. I told them it was hand-made by you :)
Thanks, Bode, for your kind words! I know you most of all understood what we were trying to accomplish with the Young Patriots Fife & Drum Corps. :) It makes me glad to know that you will be teaching the next generation(s) the not-to-be-forgotten lessons of our history as well as helping them remember the many thousands who gave the ultimate sacrifice to preserve our freedom.
DeleteLove, Mrs. Jones