We are home from another wonderful weekend in Colonial Williamsburg, where we enjoyed one of our favorite programs, Drummer’s Call, where Fife and Drum Corps units from around the country are invited to march and play, while we look on and sometimes follow in their footsteps!
FIFES AND DRUMS MARCH THROUGH MERCHANTS SQUARE
The first event of the weekend was Friday evening, with a program at Kimball Theater called Successful Campaign.
The program opened with a street concert featuring the alumni of The Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps grabbing everyones attention!
They are still incredible and played one of our favorite ultra-speedy tunes, Tail Toddle!
SUCCESSFUL CAMPAIGN AT THE KIMBALL THEATER
After they marched off, we found seats in the Kimball Theater for the main program, which showcased the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps and the Mountain Fifes and Drums from Lake Arrowhead, California.
First, a fifer and drummer from the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps gave us a history lesson.
After explaining the structure of their instruments, they explained the importance of communication on the battlefield, which was achieved through the fifer and drummer.
Then they explained that there were specific tunes for specific purposes, like calling the men to dinner.
Each of the units played lots of marches and tunes, then came together for the grand finale.
FROG POND CROAK IN SYMPHONY
Returning to the Visitor Center, we walked by the pond behind the Randolph House.
This is one of my favorite parts of Drummer’s Call weekend, because even the Colonial Williamsburg frogs get into the spirit of things!
Every month we visit and walk by this pond, but it is during Drummer’s Call Weekend that the frogs have their own concert!
There are the bullfrogs with their slow cadenced bass, representing the drums.
Then there are the other frogs with their quicker tempoed tenor chirps, representing the fifes!
I could stay all night to listen to them!
WHEN THEY PLAY, EVERYONE STOPS TO LOOK AND LISTEN
The next day around noon, anticipation on the Ducke of Gloucester Street filled the air!
GRAND MARCH FROM CAPITOL TO MARKET SQUARE
None other than the Grand March of the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps and all of their invited guests, from the Capitol to Market Square!
GRAND REVIEW AT MARKET SQUARE
After the Colonial Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps played The Star Spangled Banner, each of the units strutted their stuff in grand style for a wonderful few hours of visual and listening entertainment.
TATTOO FROM GOVERNOR’S PALACE TO SHIELDS TAVERN
After a picnic dinner and fireworks at the Governor’s Palace, the Fife and Drum Corps units lined up for the Tattoo, which also has military history!
Cressets were lit, firesticks were ablaze, and the Fife and Drum Corps were fired up!
So were all the guests!
The Fife and Drum Corps units led us from the Palace to Shields Tavern on Duke of Gloucester Street!
Once they arrived at the taverns, a huge jam session began.
FROG CHORUS SYMPHONY
After they disbanded, we walked back to the Visitor Center via the pond with the bass bullfrog want-to-be drummers and the other frog tenor want-to-be fifers!
I caught myself humming Fife and Drum Corps marches once we got back to the hotel.
Drummer’s Call is contagious!
