In the National Archives’ rotunda, steps away from the nation’s founding documents, members of the Linton Hall School Fife & Drum Corps stood poised to perform. They wore black pants, white ruffled shirts and sharp blue jackets trimmed with golden buttons. Their hands clasped flagpoles, drumsticks, fifes — a type of flute — and in one instance, a ceremonial rifle. When conductor Georgia Graves lifted her arms, some of the 26 students lifted the flags high and others played American classics such as the “The Star-Spangled Banner,” “Yankee Doodle” and “You’re a Grand Old Flag.”
It’s not unusual for the Fife & Drum Corps to perform in interesting locations or at special events, in this case, for guests at the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Florida House on Capitol Hill Oct. 27. Though its members are small in stature, the corps’ crisp execution of patriotic tunes has earned them respect and invites. They’ve played at Mount Vernon on George Washington’s birthday, at the National Portrait Gallery for President’s Day and for Honor Flight veterans at Dulles International Airport.
The corps began in 2000 when Graves’ daughter was a student at the Bristow school. Ever since then, Graves and other members of the American Originals — an adult fife and drum corps — have volunteered their time training the next generation of fifers and drummers. “We are so proud of what these kids have accomplished,” said Graves. “It’s a real team effort. It’s a lot of discipline, but the discipline comes with fun, because they enjoy perfecting what they’re doing.”
Students from kindergarten to eighth grade can choose to be a fifer, drummer or color guard member. They have online video conference lessons to improve technique as well as in-person rehearsals. All the music and moves have to be memorized.
Fifth grader Charlotte Harris, co-fife captain, has played the fife since kindergarten. “For my pre-K graduation, I saw the fifers and drummers play and I thought, ‘Wow, that is so cool. I think I want to try that,’ ” she said. “I love fife. I like how nice it sounds. Plus, I think drums are a little heavy to carry. I’ve been happy with fife ever since.”
Eighth grader Xavier Williams, drum captain, has been part of the corps since kindergarten, too. “I learned how to be more patient with little kids, how to read music better and how to memorize different songs,” he said.
Among the many things the experience of being in the corps gives the students, Graves hopes it also instills them with a love for their country. “We want them to realize the privilege it is to be able to play the music of our country and to celebrate the values that we have as Americans,” she said. “It’s just an honor, and I think these kids really feel that.”
