About The Towpath Volunteers

The Towpath Volunteers have been bringing "Our American Heritage to Life" for 30 years. The feel starts with the sound of the thundering drums in the distance followed by the the ring and smoke from a round of shots from the Militia's Black Powder Guns. Soon you can see the Powder Blue Vests, part of the Colonial Style Uniforms including our the fimiliar tricorn hat. You can hear the shrill sound of the fifes, playing traditional Revolutionary through Civil War era music, such as Yankee Doodle and Liberty Tree to Johny Comes Marching Home and The Battle Hymn of the Republic, to the songs that people know 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 calf skinned rope tension Deep Snare and Bass Drums and use of 6 or the advanced 10 hole wooden fifes much like those used by the founding father of our country.

Formed in 1978, today's group has grown to four performing units:
"Sprit of 76", Junior Corps, Senior Corps, Honor Guard

Something for everyone, from joining a unique organization to looking for that
special touch for your event, meeting, parade, or festival.

Spirit of 1776
This group uses the talents of 2 fifes and a snare drummer playing the deep snare drum. Wearing the Traditional Towpath Powder Blue Uniform but with the addition of powdered wigs to give that extra bit of realism.
Great for inside performances, meetings, weddings or funerals.

Towpath Volunteer Junior Fife and Drum Corps
This group is designed for beginners and those who prefer a less demanding schedule and playing requirements. Performing with mostly first and second year fifers and drummers ranging in age from 8 years old to Adults young of heart. What they lack in experience, they make up in Heart and everyone loves the Little Drummer Boy!

Towpath Volunteer Senior Fife and Drum Corps
The heart and soul of what we have become. This group has performd with as many as 60 marching members, making the Volunteers one of the largest fife and drum corps in the country! Having performed for Presidents and First Ladies and at the White House in Washington DC to Macy's Thanksgiving Parade in New York City and several times at Disney World in Orlando Florida. With many members with over ten years of marching experience, we continually show fife and drumming excellence at every performance.

Honor Guard
The newest of our groups and the highest skilled. This groups high standards in music and manuvering and is highly demanding in time and effort! With the ability to perform with varible size groups, from a smaller group of 6 fifers, 2 snares and a bass drummer to a group of a 24 musicians, performances can be taylored to space and cost restraints. The fifers are using handmade 10 hole fifes patterened from the same fife the "Old Guard" uses. The Deep Snare Drums and Barrel Bass Drum are Calf Skin Heads and Gut Snares.