Frequently Asked Questions

A fife and drum corps is a small musical ensemble made up of fifers (who play a small wooden flute called a fife), snare drummers, and bass drummers. Some corps also include a color guard carrying flags and banners. The tradition goes back to the military field music of the Revolutionary War, when fifes and drums were how armies communicated on the battlefield — signaling wake-up, meals, formations, and the march. Today, most corps are volunteer community organizations. They march in parades, perform at historical events and reenactments, and gather at "musters" — festivals where multiple corps come together to play, listen, and celebrate the tradition.

No. This might be the most common concern we hear, and the answer is always the same: you are not too old. Fife and drum is not a young person's activity. Many corps have members well into their 60s and 70s who are still marching, performing, and having the time of their lives. Some started as kids; others picked it up in retirement. Unlike competitive marching bands, fife and drum corps value experience, dedication, and love of the music over physical peak performance. If you can walk at a steady pace and hold an instrument, you can participate.

No. Most corps expect to teach you from scratch. Many of the best fifers and drummers in the community started with zero musical background. Corps typically have a structured learning path — you'll learn to read music, produce your first notes, and play basic tunes as part of normal rehearsals. Some corps have you march with the color guard (carrying a flag) while you're still learning your instrument, so you can participate in performances right away while building your skills.

A muster is a gathering of fife and drum corps — think of it as a festival for the community. The typical format is a grand parade through a town followed by an afternoon of performances, where each corps takes a turn playing on a field or green while the others watch and listen. Food, socializing, and camaraderie fill the gaps. Unlike band competitions, musters have no judges, no scores, and no prizes. The motto of the Ancient muster tradition is "no judges, no prizes, no unkind words." It's a day of music and fellowship, and many participants describe musters as the highlight of their year.

Less than you'd think. A good plastic student fife costs around $10–20. A quality wooden fife ranges from $50 for a basic model up to $600 or more for a handcrafted professional instrument, but you absolutely do not need an expensive fife to start. The standard Cooperman plastic fife is what most beginners use, and it sounds great. Drums are more expensive — a rope-tension snare can run $300–800 — but almost every corps owns drums that members share. You'd just need your own drumsticks ($15–30) and a practice pad ($20–40) for home practice. Most corps don't charge dues, or charge very modest ones. The biggest "cost" is your time and willingness to practice.

A fife is a simple, keyless wooden (or sometimes plastic) transverse flute with six tone holes. It's played in the key of Bb and has a bright, piercing sound designed to be heard outdoors over drums. A piccolo is a keyed instrument (like a small concert flute) pitched an octave above the flute in the key of C, with a more refined tone suitable for orchestral and concert settings. Fifes are simpler to learn than piccolos because there are no keys to operate — you cover the holes directly with your fingers. Modern 10-hole and 11-hole fifes add chromatic capability for more complex music, but the traditional 6-hole fife remains the standard for most corps.

Use our Corps Directory to search by state and see corps across the country. Each listing includes location, contact information, and what tradition the corps represents. If you find one nearby, reach out — email or message them on Facebook. Corps are almost universally welcoming to newcomers. If there's no corps in your area, you have a few options: practice on your own using online resources and sheet music, look for reenactment groups that include a fife and drum component, or consider starting your own corps.

This is one of the most common frustrations in the community, especially outside of New England and the Mid-Atlantic where corps are most concentrated. But there are still paths forward. First, you can learn on your own. A plastic fife, a fingering chart, and YouTube videos can take you surprisingly far. Several corps have published their music libraries online with audio recordings you can play along with. Second, connect with the broader community. The Company of Fifers & Drummers hosts a Junior Fife and Drum Camp each summer in Connecticut that's open to youth from anywhere. Attending a muster — even as a spectator — is a great way to meet people and find mentors. Third, consider starting something. Many of today's active corps were founded by one or two people who simply decided to make it happen. Our resources section has guides on starting a corps.

No. While many corps have a historical identity and wear period uniforms, you don't need to be a reenactor or have any interest in reenacting to participate. Corps wear uniforms as part of the tradition, but the focus is on the music and the community, not on historical roleplay. That said, if you do enjoy history and reenacting, fife and drum is a natural and rewarding complement.

No. The vast majority of fife and drum corps are civilian volunteer organizations with no military affiliation. The music and traditions have military roots — fifes and drums were how armies communicated before electronics — but today's corps are community groups open to anyone. The one exception is the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, which is an active-duty military unit. All other corps in the country are civilian.

It depends on the instrument, your practice habits, and whether you have prior musical experience — but most beginners can play basic tunes within a few months of regular practice. For fife, you can usually produce a clear tone within a few sessions and learn your first simple tune within a few weeks. Getting comfortable enough to march and play with a corps typically takes three to six months of consistent practice. For drum, the basics of grip and stroke come quickly, but rudimental drumming — the rolls, flams, and paradiddles that make up fife and drum repertoire — takes patient practice. Most corps have a progression path that gets beginners into the ranks within a season. The honest truth: you never stop learning. Experienced members with decades of playing still work on refining their technique and expanding their repertoire. That's part of what keeps people in it.

Absolutely. Fife and drum has a long tradition of youth participation. Many corps accept members as young as eight or ten years old, and some are specifically organized as junior corps for young people under 18. Family corps welcome both children and parents. Junior corps and family corps typically provide all instruction free of charge and often lend instruments. It's a remarkable opportunity for kids to learn music, develop discipline, be part of a team, and connect with American history in a way no textbook can match. Check our Corps Directory and filter by "Junior" or "Both" to find youth-friendly corps near you.