Towpath Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps
Towpath Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps
The Towpath Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps, based in Macedon NY, were formed in 1978 and have grown to become one of the premier fifes and drum corps in the country. They perform approximately 40 times a year throughout New York and the eastern seaboard. The group has performed for Presidents and First Ladies as well as at the White House in Washington DC.
The Towpath Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps philosophy of bringing "Our American Heritage to Life" has evolved over the past 45 years. The feel starts to grow long before they are even visible with the sound of the thundering drums in the distance followed by the ring and smoke from a round of shots from the Militia's Black Powder Guns. As they start to near, you can see the Powder Blue Vests, part of the Colonial Style Uniforms, including the familiar tri-corned hat. You can hear the shrill sound of the fifes, playing traditional Revolutionary through Civil War era music. From heart throbbing Patriotic songs like Yankee Doodle and Liberty Tree to Johnny Comes Marching Home and The Battle Hymn of the Republic to the songs that people grew up with and can hum or sing along with such as Grandfathers Clock, Mocking Bird and Old Dan Tucker. To add to the realism, the corps utilizes handmade rope tension deep snare and bass drums and use of wooden fifes much like those used by the founding father of our country.
The Volunteers have performed at many of the largest parades in the United States, including the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Savanah, Georgia, and the Gasparilla Parade of Pirates in Tampa, Florida.
Internationally, the group has performed at the European Fife and Drum Muster in Saint Tropez, France, Historic Carnival in Ivrea, Italy and the World Fife and Drum Friendship Festival in Brussels, Belgium, that the Volunteers hosted the first festival in 2016.
Towpath Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps
PO Box 31
Macedon, NY 14502