News Summary
Colonial Williamsburg will celebrate military music heritage this weekend with the 19th Annual Drummer’s Call. Organized by the Fifes & Drums, the event features performances from various historical periods, culminating in a torch-lit march. Free and open to the public, it showcases the community’s commitment to preserving musical traditions and honors the contributions of young musicians.
Williamsburg, Virginia – This weekend, Colonial Williamsburg will host the 19th Annual Drummer’s Call, an event that celebrates the traditions of military music and honors the nation’s military and musical heritage. The festivities, organized by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums, will take place on Friday and Saturday, featuring performances that span various historical periods, including the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, and the Civil War.
The event begins on Friday evening with a concert titled “Successful Campaign,” starting at 7:30 p.m. at the Charlton Stage, located on the east end of the Historic Area near the Capitol. The concert will feature traditional and patriotic military music, showcasing the talents of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums Senior Corps along with the Middlesex County Volunteers.
On Saturday, the excitement continues with a Grand March and Review from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., led by the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums. This parade will start at the Capitol and proceed down Duke of Gloucester Street to Market Square. Following the Grand March, participating musicians will perform behind the Courthouse, with each group allotted 10 minutes to present their musical talents.
The weekend culminates in the Williamsburg Military Tattoo, a torch-lit march featuring all participating units, scheduled for Saturday at 8:30 p.m. down Duke of Gloucester Street. All events during the Drummer’s Call are free and open to the public, making it an accessible opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience this unique aspect of American history.
The Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums is a dedicated group comprised of youths aged 10 to 18 from the local community. Each year, students in the fourth grade residing in James City or York counties, or the city of Williamsburg, can apply for the fall 2025 recruit class, with applications due by May 31, 2025. This initiative not only honors historical traditions but also fosters a sense of community and engagement among young people.
This year’s Drummer’s Call will also feature seven visiting fife and drum units from across the United States, including the Adamsville Ancients Fife and Drum Corps, Central York Middle School Corps, Field Music School of Gettysburg, Fifes and Drums of York Town, Field Musick of the American Revolution, and the Patriots Fife and Drums Corps from George Mason University. Their participation adds to the rich tapestry of military music that the event aims to celebrate.
For nearly 20 years, the Drummer’s Call has been an integral part of the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes & Drums program. The fife and drum corps serves as an emblematic representation of historical military communication, which was crucial during battles where fifers and drummers relayed messages and maintained order among troops. The Corps performs daily programs in the Historic Area from mid-February through December, and during major holidays, helping keep these vital traditions alive.
Attendees can expect a weekend filled with history, music, and community spirit as the Drummer’s Call 2023 brings together musicians and visitors to celebrate the rich legacy of military music in the United States.
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Additional Resources
- Daily Press: Annual Drummer’s Call Starts Friday in Colonial Williamsburg
- Wikipedia: Military Music
- Williamsburg Families: Drummer’s Call Colonial Williamsburg
- Google Search: Colonial Williamsburg Drummers Call
- WYDaily: Colonial Williamsburg to Host Annual Drummer’s Call
- Google Scholar: Military Music Traditions
- Daily Press: This Weekend Drummer’s Call Showcases Long Tradition of Battlefield Music
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Fife
- Williamsburg Families: Top 25 Things to Do in Williamsburg in May
- Google News: Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums
