The Marquis of Granby Ancient Jr. Fyfe and Drum Corps will hold an open house on Wednesday, Nov. 14, at First Congregational Church of Granby on Route 189. Membership in the corps is open to interested youth, typically age 9 and up, from Granby as well as from surrounding towns.
During the Nov. 14 recruitment event, members of the corps will introduce guests to marching and musket drills. Prospective members will also learn about playing the musical instruments of the corps: the fyfe and the snare or bass drum. Some may aspire to be a part of the flag line and not play an instrument. The current members will discuss the ranks within the corps and how one gets promoted from one rank to the next. A separate meeting for parents will cover the performances calendar, transportation, instruments, uniforms, and explain the many leadership and travel opportunities that come with a Marquis membership.
Some background on the Marquis of Granby: the corps was founded in 1969 with the intention of creating an organization that could add both music and pageantry to local events. The original founders sought to demonstrate the sound and presence of a pre-revolutionary colonial militia sponsored by a titled Englishman, John Manners, who was titular head of a militia in the colonies before the Revolution. The unique marching style of the Marquis that you can see today, with its “high stepping” and “trooping”, echoes back to the discipline of colonial period troops. Almost 50 years in existence, the corps has gained both national and international recognition during this time, performing most recently on the Royal Mile in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland, the International Muster in Basel, Switzerland, Fort Ticonderoga, the Yorktown Victory Monument, and locally, in the Big E. In 2019, The Marquis will be hosting a fife and drum muster in celebration of its 50th anniversary. Fife and drum organizations from many states will come together in Granby to share their traditions and musical repertoire.
The Marquis gratefully acknowledges the support it receives from the community directly, via the Granby Community Fund and other town organizations. It is this ongoing support that allows the corps to offer this wonderful opportunity to area youth and promote a long-standing tradition.
To join the Marquis of Granby, a child must be formally registered by a parent or a guardian. After a successful three-month trial period, he or she will be considered a full member of the corps. Weekly practices take place from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m. on Wednesdays at First Congregational Church of Granby on Route 189. Annual membership fee is $100. Membership includes weekly music lessons. “Because the corps is able to pay its music instructors using the parade fees, Marquis members gain access to professional caliber music lessons,” underscores Kim McCord, director of the corps. Instruments and uniforms are also provided by the corps. To read the bios of the fife and drum instructors and for additional information, please visit marquisofgranby.org. If you have additional questions, email Kim McCord at director@marquisofgranby.org.