Welcome to the
Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps
Home Page
North Haven, Connecticut, USA

Lancraft is classified by Internal revenue service as a 501(c)(3) organization. any and All contributions or bequests are fully tax deductible.

St. Patrick's Parade - New Haven, Connecticut - 2007
Photo credit - Bill O'Brien

St. Patrick's Parade - New Haven, Connecticut - 2008
Photo credit - Bill O'Brien

St. Patrick's Parade - New Haven, Connecticut - 2008
Photo credit - Bill O'Brien

Lancraft at International Muster - Basel, Switzerland, June 2006
Photo credit - Frank Chasney

Parade in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, July 2, 2005
Photo credit - Lindsey Perrault

Deep River Muster, July 19, 2003 - On the stand
Photo credit - Rick Tatro

Deep River Muster, July 19, 2003 - Drum Solo - Sturtze's "Rudimenter"

Lancraft Prez doing a bit of recruiting, May 20, 2006
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The Union had only 40 states; ND, SD, MT, WA, ID, OK, NM, UT, HI & AK joined later.

There never was an official 40-state flag. It jumped to from 38 to 44 stars on July 4, 1890.
Grover Cleveland was President; was defeated in 1888 by Benj. Harrison.
The Washington Monument was opened to the public.
George Eastman introduced the "Kodak" camera.
The Eiffel Tower was under construction in Paris.
Pneumatic "balloon" tires were first introduced for bicycles.
The dry cell battery was invented by Dr. Karl Gassner.
The National Geographic Society was founded.
A major blizzard hit Connecticut on March 12. New Haven's snow accumulation was nearly 50 inches!
"Casey at the Bat" was first published in the San Francisco Examiner.
The first telephone book was published in New Haven. It was 1 page long, had 50 names, and no numbers.
The ball point pen was first patented.
Burroughs patented the first mechanical adding machine.
Ringling Brothers obtained their very first circus elephant.
Thomas Edison founded the American Phonograph Company.
The first coin-operated telephone went into service in Hartford.
George Westinghouse received the patent for the alternating current dynamo.
The electrification of America began in 1888!
New Haven Hospital purchased its first horse-drawn ambulance.
There were no homicides in New Haven in that year.
The revolving door was invented.
Irving Berlin was born (composed God Bless America)
Vincent Van Gogh painted his famed "Sunflowers."
Fred B. Kilmer, father of poet Joyce Kilmer, introduced Johnson's Baby Powder.
The typewriter ribbon was patented.
Harpo Marx was born (Marx Brothers)

Lancraft presently has 53 active members, mostly from Connecticut. However, the roll call includes a member from California, one from Ohio, three from Pennsylvania, one from Florida, and a couple from New York, all of whom proudly make regular trips to the Nutmeg State to march with the corps.

     On August, 8, 1954, the great S.A. "Gus" Moeller, a national champion and fine drum builder, personally delivered five new snare drums that were purchased by the Corps. A meeting followed the delivery, where Mr. Moeller carefully explained care and maintenance to the Corps members. The cost of the new drums? $85.00 each! Moeller was a Lancraft member from 1930 - 1935. One of these drums was soon played by Hugh Quigley when he won his first National Championship.  They are still being played today. Lancraft drums now span three generations with the same lineage: from "Gus" Moeller, to "Buck" Soistman, to Bill Reamer.
     .
     Unfortunately, at the1970 Deep River Muster, one of these magnificent Moeller drums "walked" off the field and has not been seen since. If anyone should happen to come across it, the Corps would like to hear from you...no questions asked!

Although its writer is long deceased, the Moeller Book remains one of the finest resources for the student of rudimental drumming. The other two most popular publications are by Earle Sturtze and Frank Arsenault, also Lancraft members.

Three Generations of Drums
All Constructed using the same techniques and equipment.
(Jack Mcguire with Moeller, Ed Salerno with Soistman, Bill Maling with Reamer)

Over the course of Lancraft history, many fifes were used, mostly the product of George Cloos, with the occasional Ferrary or Cooperman. In 1990, the Corps standardized on the Model F Fife made of Grenadilla wood with Chrome ferrules. Countless Connecticut State and Northeastern State Individual Championships were won by Lancraft fifers over the course of many years.

The corps is available for Conventions, Parades, Meetings, Memorial Services, and other gatherings. For information regarding availability and other such matters, You may contact us at:

In order to carry on the traditions of historical American music, the corps is always looking for new members. If you play the fife or the drum please contact us. Even if you don't play and want to learn, let us know. We can arrange training / lessons for you.

Directions to the club house

Lancraft rehearses on Thursday evenings. To get to the club house, take Interstate 91 to Exit 9, Montowese Avenue. Head East off whichever ramp you use. Clark Avenue is a stone's throw down Montowese, on the left. (.07 miles if you came from the South and .12 if you came from the North.) Drive to the end of Clark Avenue and you will see a gravel driveway on your right. Listen for the sound of fifes and drums. All are welcome!

To contact the Lancraft Fife & Drum Corps by email, click on the name below:

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Last updates 01/08/2008
(C)Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps, 2003

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