Schoolbooks tell us that the American Revolution began with "the shot heard “'round the world."  However, thousands of New England musicians differ from that opinion. They say that the war started with the drumbeat of a young Massachusetts boy, William Diamond.  In Lexington, on the morning of April 19, 1775, Capt. John Parker had his 130-man militia on alert.  Shortly after dawn, he received word that the British were nearby. In the words of a Minuteman, Sylvanus Wood, "Parker immediately turned to his drummer...and ordered him to beat to arms..." William Diamond served as a drummer throughout the war, and he continued drumming for the rest of his life. He later became a wheelwright and died in New Hampshire at the age of 73.

       During that war, as in the French and Indian War and for centuries before in Europe, the fife and the drum served as the signal corps of the military. During our War for Independence, most field commanders had their own fifer and drummer, one per company, with a regimental Drum Major in charge of all of the musicians.  Various beats and tunes provided structure to the soldier's day, awakening him with The Dawning of the Day, and calling him to supper with The Roast Beef of Old England, tunes frequently used by both sides. The snare drum coordinated the firing of artillery and muskets, and since the shrill sound of the fife could be heard for miles, even over the sound of cannon, it was used for relaying other commands. In order for musicians to be quickly located in time of need, the colors of their uniforms were commonly the reverse of the normal colors of the troop.

        In the springtime of 1888, behind a blacksmith's shop near the New Haven, Connecticut waterfront, the crisp peal of the fife and the thunder of rope tension drums rang out for all to hear. A group of young boys had gathered for practice. Played in a traditional style that Yankees refer to as "Ancient," the jigs and reels performed revealed the Gaelic lineage of the musicians. Surnames like Scully, Shepard, Neehan, Mooney, Denenery and McKeon abounded.  Near the harbor that day, the sound could be heard for miles. They began to draw a crowd. Although the group as yet had no name, they agreed to continue meeting, to the great pleasure of their audience.

      Opposite the smith's shop on Fairmont Avenue resided an oysterman named Edward Lancraft. Behind his home was a cluster of oyster sheds, terminating in a dock. Mr. Lancraft enjoyed the music, and would occasionally visit their practice sessions, over the course of time befriending the boys. From time to time, snacks, beverages, and other amenities were provided by Mr. Lancraft. With regular practice, the sound improved, and their repertoire grew to include songs from the Revolutionary War like Chester, Yankee Doodle, and Dashing White Sergeant. Tunes from the Civil War like Rally 'Round the Flag (Battle Cry of Freedom), Red, white and Blue, and Old Dan Tucker were gradually added over time.

      At some point in the early 1890's, the New Haven Railroad decided to run a line through the area, and the blacksmith's shop was in its path. The building was sold and demolished. When Ed Lancraft heard of this, he told the boys they could use one of his oyster sheds for practice. The aroma of the sheds wasn't particularly pleasant, so the group preferred playing out in the oyster yard. But the sheds provided shelter when the weather was bad, and protected the easily damaged calfskin drumheads from the rain. When the New England winters were especially fierce, Lancraft invited the boys to rehearse in the cellar of his residence.

     Ed Lancraft had been very generous to his adopted clan of youthful musicians. In appreciation, by voice vote, it was determined to name the group after their benefactor. From that point to the present, they have been known as the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps. They soon realized that their informal organizational style had its problems, so a record was begun and meetings began to have structure. Excerpts from some of the early minutes:

      January 21, 1898:

      Meeting called to order at 9 o'clock with Mr. H F Boughton in the chair... A motion was made and carried that the meeting night be changed from Friday to Thursday. (Over a century later, meetings are still held on Thursdays).

      February 3, 1898:

      Meeting called to order at 8:10 PM with President Boughton in the chair. The question of a straw ride was brought up, and Mr. Mooney, Mr. Denenery and Mr. McKeon were appointed as a committee to investigate and report at the next meeting   Meetings throughout April and May, 1898 dealt with the establishment of dues at 25 cents per month, electing new members to the organization and other details. Exhibiting distaste for the job, E M Shepard resigned his position of Recording Secretary. It was rejected. A uniform committee was formed and began its investigations, bearing in mind that there was little money available.

Ed Lancraft came to the rescue again:

     May 6, 1898:

     Meeting called at 9:35 with Pres. Boughton in the chair. Minutes of last meeting read and approved. A motion made and seconded that Mr. Lancraft's offer concerning suits be accepted with a vote of thanks of the Corps.

      The timing was terrific. They would have "suits" for the State Parade of the Fifth Division of Scyberians.  Lancraft purchased 12 uniforms similar to those worn at the time by circus bandsmen, a dark blue coat with black trim, buttoned to the neck, worn over dark blue pants. They could now generate some regular income performing in parades for a fee:

      May 19, 1898:

      A motion made and seconded that the entire Corps hire out for $10.00, Decoration Day, May 30, 1898, for the West Haven Hook and Ladder Co. No. 2. A motion made and seconded that the Corps escort the St. Johns Cadets from their hall to the hall on Meadow Street, May 26, 1898 for free gratis and advertisement.

       The ranks grew, with new members being elected almost weekly. A ball was held in the spring of 1899 to raise money. It netted $31.30. A trolley ride was planned to raise additional funds. Mr. Lancraft's presence was still felt. On March 17, 1898 he purchased a new bass drum for the Corps. The cost: $7.00.

       The newly-founded Connecticut Fifer's and Drummers Association  invited Lancraft to their first convention and competition on August 4, 1899. That year, Lancraft drummers took first and second prize in individual competition, but they did not win as a group until 1909. From that year until 1975, when they ceased competitive activities, Lancraft won 31 first prizes, 19-second prizes, and 8 third prizes. In three of those years, they did not compete because the Corps sponsored the event. They finished "in the money" in 58 out of 63 attempts. In individual competition, snare drummers took state titles in 27 years, bass drummers in 37 years, and fifers in 23. In addition, the Corps can count 4 National Snare Drum Champions, 2 World Champions, and one member, Hugh Quigley, is entered into the Drum Corps Hall of Fame.

      It was about this time that the one of the first electric trolley car lines in America made its debut on a run from Mansfield, Connecticut to East Haven. Lancraft Fife & Drum Corps. performed at the point of origin. (The station still stands in Mansfield and an excellent trolley museum is located in East Haven.) The drums played were still the small ones, made by a Mr. Loomis, used from the beginning. Mr. Lancraft then purchased 4 large barrel drums for the Corps. They closely resembled the oyster kegs Lancraft used in his business. For a considerable time, the Corps was referred to affectionately as the "Oyster Keg Corps." 

     The relationship with Mr. Lancraft flourished. He started the annual pastime of taking the Corps members, friends and families on harbor cruises on one of his oyster boats. This continued up until the '30s.  Mrs. Lancraft was also involved, preparing food for various functions: suppers, baking cakes for sales, repairing rips and tears in uniforms and other similar tasks.

     About 1905, Mrs. Lancraft became quite ill, so the practices on the Lancraft property ceased, due to the great volume of the drums. The Corps briefly moved its activities to George Cook's woodshed in the Fair Haven Heights section of town. The next site was in a one-room shack across from the Annex Fire Department, eventually moving on to the firehouse itself. Next stop was Montrose Hall, which the Corps referred to as "Pneumonia Hall," due to the fact that it had no heat. In the early twenties, they moved to a location in another blacksmith's shop on Quinnipiac Avenue in New Haven.

        They then spent three years over Dupe’s Pool Hall on Grand Avenue, followed by a move to the Mansfield Oyster Yard, which was owned by a Mrs. Beach. Times were hard due to the depression, but their most sympathetic landlady charged them a rent of only $6.00 per month. They stayed there for many years.

     Many Corps legends were created at the Mansfield site. In this location, members could leave their equipment in storage instead of carrying them to home and back. Drums were stored on racks, extending one end so rats couldn't dine on the gut snares. If a rainstorm occurred at high tide, the surrounding area would be so flooded that cars would be up to their hubcaps in mud. Sig Hellstrom brought a bag of firewood to every winter meeting for over twenty years. The first to arrive was responsible for getting a fire started in the old pot bellied stove. It was said that latecomers could tell how long the fire had been burning by the size of the circle surrounding the stove. A three-foot ring meant nobody had been present for very long. A ten-foot circle meant the fire had been going about an hour. They often played until only a few embers remained.

     Summers were hot and humid near the Quinnipiac River. Rehearsals were held out of doors, weather permitting. Members doffed their shirts and the drummers were as comfortable as could be. The fifers had a unique problem. Clouds of music-loving insects left the marshes and clustered around the players, many of them meeting their doom when they were inhaled by fifers playing Fifer's Delight or the Downfall of Paris. It was not unusual for there to be 8 or 9 snare drummers and a half dozen bass drummers present, all playing at the same time. It's a wonder that old oyster shed didn't simply fall down!

     The Ancient style of music is unique.  The drumming is extremely complicated, and is performed by the assembly of 26 traditional "rudiments" or specific beats, described by the sound that they make: paradiddle, radamacue, flamacue, single drag, flam tap, etc. They closely follow the music of the fifes, which is also very complex. The bass drummers play the same beats as the snares, the only exception being the long rolls. It takes many years of study and practice before a performer is considered sufficiently skilled to enter competition.  

       In 1947, a disaster occurred. The oyster shed where they kept their equipment was destroyed in a fire, destroying trophies, photos, and other priceless memorabilia. There was no insurance. Fortunately the uniforms and drums were spared.

      Throughout the early years, transportation was always a major problem. The Corps first traveled by horse and buggy. Later, they used trolley cars for local trips and took the train if they had to go a longer distance. Travel could be quite an ordeal, especially when one considers that they would be carrying long rope-tensioned snare drums, bass drums, caps, uniforms, flags, muskets, and other paraphernalia. Often, they would leave on a Wednesday evening after work; arrive at their destination late Thursday or early Friday morning. They would perform their musical task, reverse course, and often not arrive back in New Haven until Tuesday. Once, on a trip to New York City, Ray Brinley rode all the way on a motorcycle with a drum strapped to his back.

      One interesting anecdote from the horse and buggy days began innocently enough back in the '70s. During a parade in East Haven, Connecticut, the line of march came to a brief, unplanned stop as all parades frequently do. An elderly woman came out of the crowd, telling corps members that she had found an old drum in her basement. Nobody paid much attention at first, but one member, Eldrick Arsenault, listened to her story. He went to her house and, sure enough, it was a very old drum. She told him she wanted the Corps to keep it. When Eldrick got the drum back to the clubhouse, He removed the ropes, hoops and drumheads. There, faintly inscribed inside the dim shell of the drum, were the words, "Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps."  It was of the original Loomis Drums which had apparently fallen off a buggy many years ago!

      The making of rope tension wooden drums is not an easy task, and even here, Lancraft is living history. Beginning with the first Loomis drums, the corps purchased two more in 1900 from a fine maker named Odel Chapman, and two more in 1910. By 1928, the corps had amassed a collection of 10 snare drums and a variety of bass drums of assorted sizes and types. In 1950, five new drums were purchased from Gus Moeller, one of the finest makers ever. 24 inches in length, they have gut snares and calfskin heads. Riveted over the ropes are leather "ears," which are used to tension the heads. Hand painted with a highly detailed patriotic emblem, the hallmark of the drum's maker, they are a masterpiece to behold. After Moeller's death, his tools and jigs passed on to a Baltimore gentleman named "Buck" Soitzman, and from then on to William Reamer, of Fetterville, PA.  He continues the tradition, and makes wooden drums not only for drums corps, but also for major symphony orchestras and the U.S. Army Band. Pat Cooperman of Essex and a Corps member, Frank Saum also make traditional wood drums.

     The original Corps fifes were made of brass by a gentleman named Ted O'Connor. These instruments were used until 1928, when the Corps decided that wood fifes had a more pleasant tonal quality. The best at the time were made by George Cloos, of Brooklyn, New York, and are still played by many fifers today.  The wooden fifes are turned and bored cylinders of wood, usually rosewood, cocobolo, or ebony, drilled with seven holes - 6 for the fingers and 1 to blow on. Playing one requires the use of "forked fingering" as opposed to the serial fingering of most wind instruments. It can take weeks for a new student to simply get a sound from one, and many years to master the instrument. It is said that many cocobolo fifes had an earlier existence as policemen's night sticks. The majority of fifes played today are known as “Model F,” and are made from grenadilla and cocobolo woods, although a few fifers still cling to their old post-Civil War Cloos instruments.

      The uniforms of the Corps evolved over many years. From the original circus band style, the corps went to a "Continental" type uniform which reflected the Revolutionary War period. Due to increased enrollment, a new set was purchased in 1908, but the old, worn ones were retained and issued to the newer members. Replacements came in 1927. After World War II, the Corps briefly switched to army khaki with a pith helmet, which was later replaced by a peaked officer’s cap. The Corps and the public alike longed for Lancraft's roots, so in 1948, 22 new Continental type uniforms were purchased.

     Wearing the Continental uniform was a challenge. The pants and vest were made of two plies of wool. The greatcoat had two plies as well, but was lined with horsehair. Black, corduroy leggings with brass buttons covered the calves. Topped with a metal-shelled tricorn hat, in buff and very dark blue, it had an appearance not unlike the dress uniform of George Washington. They were miserable to wear in July parades. In 1967, lighter weight versions were ordered, and 25 more in 1988.

      From near the beginning, a tradition had developed regarding the flag bearer. For most of the Corps' history, one member wearing buckskin, moccasins, and a bright tribal chieftain's headdress carried the colors, marching between the fife and the drum sections. However reluctant Lancraft is to change, they do from time to time. In 1958, the color guard was formed, still wearing Native American dress. They now had two flags, the modern and the ancient Grand Union flag used in Cambridge prior to the Battle of Bunker Hill.  They now led the Corps on parade. They are guarded by a pair of braves, carrying muskets and firing them at will. A fan once said, "The unique thing about Lancraft is that you hear them first, then you smell them (because of the black powder smoke), then you finally see them!"

     After the 1947 oyster shed fire, the Corps met at a school for three years thanks to the great indulgence of the pastor. But for many years the members had a dream of possessing their own clubhouse. An architect was consulted and plans were drawn up. When it was announced that construction would cost the astronomical sum of $10,000, the idea was scrubbed, but the dream lingered on. Fund raising was finally begun in 1948 and many old timers came to the fore.

     Old timers, known among the Ancients as "Jaybirds," come from all walks of life. Over the years, Lancraft has had in its ranks physicians, dentists, lawyers, accountants, scientists, toolmakers, salesmen, teachers, policemen, firemen, foremen, engineers, mailmen, politicians, laborers, businessmen, farmers, carpenters, and even a Catholic priest. Many of them served in World Wars I and II, Korea and Viet Nam. Walter White was killed in a training flight during WWII. Bill Moriarty, state drumming champion in 1936 and 1937, was in Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked, and Bill Gordon, fifing champion in 1910, became a prosecutor at the Nurnberg Trials. They all remembered Lancraft in its time of need.

     Contributions began to roll in. Parades were marched, suppers were held. Mike English, father of the great Dan English, snare drumming champion from 1925-1929, took out a $2,500 mortgage and donated a piece of land. The building, designated Dan English Hall, was dedicated on May 19, 1951. The surroundings looked pretty familiar to the older Corp members: no heat, no gas, and no toilets. Just the same, old pot bellied stove. A gangplank was used to enter the rear door. The mortgage was paid off in less than 4 years. Lancraft finally had a permanent home, or so they thought. Unfortunately, the future had more bad luck in store for the organization.  A new highway was to be built (I-91) right through the center of the property. Lancraft asked the state if it would be possible to build the road over the clubhouse, but the request was refused. It was time to look for another new home. Lancraft members have always been a determined lot.

     Walter Scott joined Lancraft in 1917 as a drummer, and was devoted to the Corps and the music for all of his life. Scotty had a limitless repertoire of fife and drum stories and he could tell them for hours, to the great joy of his audience. Fair weather or foul, he could be relied upon to perform with the Corps on any occasion. At the annual Old Timer's Nite in May, 1952, he was heard to say that when his time came to pass away, he would like to have it happen when he was engaged in his favorite pastime...drumming. Three months later, at the Connecticut State Firemen's Convention in Stamford, Scotty died of a heart attack a short distance from the start of the parade. Another drummer stayed with him. The Corps finished the parade. His funeral was attended by hundreds of fifers and drummers from Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Scotty had earned the deep respect of the Ancients.

     In 1985, the Corps elected John Moffit as Drum Major to replace the beloved Long John McGuire, who had filled the post for many years.  Only three months later, Johnny suffered a fatal heart attack during the New Haven St. Patrick's Parade.

     The maker of the drums presently used by the Corps, Gus Moeller, was made an Honorary Member in 1931. Gus had marched from New York to Boston, drumming all the way. Lancraft met him in New Haven and escorted him through the city. In February 1988, Al Strum, a bass drummer, had a transportation problem that would have prevented a less dedicated person to skip rehearsal. Not Al. He walked ten miles in frigid 13-degree weather to get to the practice. It took him 2 hours, but he was on time!  A sympathetic member gave him a ride home.

      Another well-worn tale is about Arthur (Dutch) Reiger. It was often said, "If the job interferes with the Corps, give up the job." Dutch took the saying quite literally. When he told his boss he wouldn't be in on the day of a performance, his boss told him he would be fired. Dutch didn't show up and he lost his job. The peculiar aspect of the situation is that a Lancraft member was the brother of his boss.

     Given no choice by the State of Connecticut, the Corps was determined to once again own a clubhouse. After making certain that there were no railroads or highways planned, they located a patch of land in North Haven, Connecticut, and decided to erect the building themselves. On Saturday morning, August 31, 1962, they began. On Labor Day, September 2, 1962 the building was finished and painted. As usual, simple amenities like toilets had to wait. Not one member was skilled in carpentry. Except for a few cases of Poison Ivy, they were none the worse for wear.

     Rehearsing in their new clubhouse, the Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps continues to carry on the traditions of America to this day. They have performed throughout the United States and Europe. But their greatest satisfaction comes from performing at musters.

     During the American Revolution, General Washington frequently issued the command, "Hours are to be assigned for all the drums and fifes of each regiment, and they are to attend them and practice; nothing is more agreeable, and ornamental, than good music.” Those possessed of the Ancient Spirit, players and observers alike, continue to find it agreeable. Throughout the year, even at Christmas time, they gather to play together at sites throughout the East.  Corps come from all over New England, as well as Virginia, Indiana, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Michigan, Illinois, Maryland, New Jersey, with an occasional representation from as far away as Spokane, Washington and Basel, Switzerland.  They get together in a potpourri of uniforms, parade, perform and have jam sessions. Every muster ends at night with jollification, where hundreds of players may be heard playing the same tune.

     However, there is more to a muster than a good time. Very little of the traditional music is written, so the muster is where most of it is learned, passed on by Jaybirds to eager youngsters. Spontaneous circles are formed on the muster field, and musicians assemble, with ages ranging from 6 to 95. The elders are very sensitive to the importance of their mission, so they frequently call out simple tunes to keep the novices involved.  Inevitably, some of the kids as well as some of the Jaybirds are from Lancraft.

     The best muster of them all (in this writer's opinion) is held on the third Saturday of every July in the tiny Connecticut River town of Deep River. For one day, a quiet town of a few thousand inhabitants is visited by thousands of fifers, drummers and an occasional bagpiper. The strangest aspect of the phenomenon is that the performance is not for the crowd; it is really for the complete satisfaction of the performers. The audience is merely allowed to watch and listen, sitting in their lawn chairs. And watch they do. In most years, crowds of over 10,000 repeat an annual pilgrimage to Deep River. Newcomers need only drive the Connecticut Turnpike to Old Saybrook and roll down the windows of their car. They can then drive to Deep River by ear.

       If visitors would like to take a break from the muster proper, they may also drive to Ivoryton, where the Company of Fifer's And Drummers has a museum.  A fascinating collection of instruments, uniforms and memorabilia is on display. There will probably be a jam session going on in the parking lot, just like the one that Lancraft had behind that blacksmith's shack back in 1888.

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