The Corps
The Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Hackettstown, NJ is a traditional ancient fife and drum corps with members ranging in age from 19 years old to ??? Our uniforms represent the Revolutionary War era, and we play standard traditional fife and drum music. We play fifes, rope tension snare drums, and barrel bass drums, and we have a color guard.
Our History
The Colonial Musketeers Senior Corps began in March, 2000 under the direction of Dianne Romano. Dianne was a fifer with the Morris County Militia during her formative years, and now has a child in the Colonial Musketeers Junior Corp. A group of parents with children in the Junior Corps asked Dianne to teach them how to play the fife, and the Senior Corps was born.
We marched in our first parade on Memorial Day, 2000 (which was the 25th anniversary of the Junior Corps), with a repertoire of 2 songs. This was impressive when you consider that all of the fifers except for Dianne had only started playing the fife two and a half months before! We were fortunate enough to have a very experienced drum line, however.
We did our first uniformed performance in December 2000. Our first paid performance, which was the first of 8 performances in 2001, was a memorable St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown, NJ. We were proud and honored to participate in a candlelight parade and vigil in response to the September 11th tragedy.
We won our first trophy, for the Best Appearing Drum Corps at the Boonton, NJ Fireman's Parade, have been on television, and now have 19 members and a parade routine of 14 songs. The Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps was incorporated On August 30, 2001. On November 17, 2001 we were proud and honored to become members of The Company of Fifers and Drummers.
Uniforms
The Senior Corps was fortunate to receive a donation of uniforms, Cooperman drums, and equipment from the former Courthouse Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps of Freehold, NJ. Our Revolutionary War style uniforms consist of a green coat with black facing, decorated by a plethora of large and small military style buttons. Underneath this is a black waistcoat and a ruffled white bib. The uniform is completed by buff-colored pants, black lace-up gaiters, black shoes, and a black cocked hat.
Philosophy
One of the greatest strengths of the corps is our ability to work well together and have fun while accomplishing a great deal. The Colonial Musketeers Senior Corp (CMSA) is a blend of alumni from many New Jersey fife and drum corps, and also includes members who are still learning how to play an instrument. The Ancient Spirit is certainly thriving here!
Membership
The Colonial Musketeers Senior Corps is always happy to welcome new members. No experience is necessary, and members do not have to have members in the junior corps. We meet in Hackettstown, New Jersey on Friday nights from 7:00pm to 9:30pm. For more information please email us at: cmsa.drummer@gmail.com
Booking Information
CMSA is available for your ceremonies, festivals and parades. We play a wide assortment of patriotic, historically significant music and can modify to suit your event. To book CMSA email us at: : cmsa.drummer@gmail.com
Web page last updated April - 2008
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