Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps
Encyclopedia
Lancraft Fife and Drum Corps is an Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
based in North Haven, Connecticut
and is a member of the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association. Lancraft was founded in 1888, by conservative Freemasons, but over the years has become the pride of Irish Americans.
in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, Connecticut
in 1888, and has been in continuous operation ever since. The corps is named after New Haven Oysterman Ed Lancraft, who donated the first Continental Army
uniforms to the corps, and who allowed the corps to rehearse in one of his oyster houses.
English learned to drum under the instruction of J. Burns Moore, a nationally prominent drummer and instructor, and long time percussionist with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
. He became Lancraft Drum Sergeant after winning his first Connecticut snare drumming title in 1925; he repeated in 1926, '27 and '28. He also won the North East States, US National Championship, held in Brooklyn, New York in 1930, and the world title at Naugatuck, Connecticut
in 1928.
English was both a player and instructor with the Yale University
Band. He taught many young drummers with the St. Francis School Drum Corps, was an instructor for both the New Haven and West Haven Institutes of Music and their respective drum corps, and had many private students.
Sanford A. Moeller
, a champion rudimental drummer, was so fascinated with the drumming style and ability of Dan English, that he learned all he could from him in several personal communications and meetings. In September 1931, Moeller drummed every step from Madison Square Garden
to the Boston Armory for the opening of the American Legion
National Convention. Lancraft, in full uniform, met and escorted Moeller through downtown New Haven and made him an honorary member of the corps that day.
. The Dan English Trophy was retired to Lancraft's Moriarty Hall trophy case in 1988.
The inscription reads:
DAN ENGLISH TROPHY
AWARDED BY
LANCRAFT FIFE & DRUM CORPS
FOR INDIVIDUAL SNARE DRUMMING
SENIOR CLASS
and from other New England
states, as well as from; Pennsylvania
, Ohio
and California
. Many activities and management duties are performed by corps members whose marching days are over, and who are honored every year on the last Thursday in April at the annual Old Timer's Night.
The corps membership elects officer's at their annual business meeting held the first Thursday in November. The elected officer's handle all the day-to-day management duties of the corps and include the office of; President
, Vice-President, Treasurer
, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary
, Business Manager and Recruitment
.
Line officer's handle all rehearsals and the day-to-day management of the marchers and include the rank of; Drum Major
, Color Guard Sergeant, Fife Sergeant, Fife Corporal, Drum Sergeant, Bass Drum Corporal and Armorer
.
and wooden rope tension snare
and bass
drum
s that are played in the ancient rudimental style.
Over the course of Lancraft history, many different fifes have been used, mostly were the product of George Cloos, Ferrary or Cooperman. The Cloos Company continued to make fifes up to 1946, after which the company was sold to the Penzel Company. It later became known as Penzel and Mueller, which continued to make fifes under the Cloos name. The company went out of business in 1952. In 1990, the corps switched to the Model F Fife, made of Grenadilla wood with chrome ferrules.
Sanford A. Moeller
, National Drum Champion and Lancraft member, was also a fine drum builder. On August 8 1954, Moeller personally delivered five new snare drums that were purchased by the Corps for $85.00 each. The Moeller drums are still being played today. Additional drums were purchased through the years from; Buck Soistman, Bill Reamer and his son, Andrew Reamer.
consists of a black tricorn hat
, white cockade
, buff vest
, white cravat
, khaki
pants
, black leggings
and navy blue tailcoat
with buff trim and solid brass buttons. The uniform is a replica of those worn by General George Washington and his staff during the War for Independence in the late 18th century.
Since 1914, the Lancraft Color Guard
has honored the first Native Americans in the United States
by wearing leather Indian garb with full feathered war bonnet
s and by carrying and firing Brown Bess
musket
s at parades, muster
s and civic commemoration
s.
Some years later, a building fund was started to build their own clubhouse
. The Lancraft retired members or Olde Timers, answered the call for funds. Mike English, father of the late Lancraft drummer Dan English, donated the land in back of his home and took a mortgage
. The two-story clubhouse was built and dedicated to Dan English.
Unfortunately, immediately after the mortgage was paid off in 1955, Interstate 95
was planned to be built and would take the clubhouse and land. A member of another drum corps, Stony Creek, told a woman of Lancraft's plight and she offered to sell the corps several acres of land behind her home in North Haven.
Lancraft bought the land, and on August 31 1962, the members began to build their new clubhouse. By Labor Day
, the building was completely finished. Lancraft moved into the new clubhouse, named Moriarty Hall, in March of 1963 and held their very first Olde Timers Night on June 13 1963.
when eighteen men from Lancraft came in first place in the ancient class and received $50.00. The corps is also known for adding the singing part to the second strain of the song Green Cockade
Their drumline
, that has included drumming greats; Earl Sturtze, Frank Arsenault and Sanford A. Moeller
, has won 4 national titles and 2 world titles. One of their best known snare drummers, Hugh Quigley, was inducted into the National Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
Lancraft was chosen by Colonial Williamsburg
to represent a Colonial period drum corps at its first ever Prelude to Independence ceremony in 1958. George P. Carroll, who was organizing the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
at the time, traveled to Williamsburg to see Lancraft play in 1959 when they were the host corps of the event. At the time, Carroll said of Lancraft;
in July, and Westbrook, Connecticut
in August. Lancraft has attended the Deep River and Westbrook Ancient Musters every year since these events were organized over five decades ago. Lancraft also attends the ancient muster at Sudbury, Massachusetts
every September.
Ancient Fife and Drum Corps
An Ancient Fife and Drum Corps is a traditional, typically American fife and drum corps that plays fifes and wooden rope tension snare and bass drums.-History:...
based in North Haven, Connecticut
North Haven, Connecticut
North Haven is a town in New Haven County, Connecticut on the outskirts of New Haven, Connecticut.North Haven is less than ten miles from downtown New Haven and Yale University. It is near Sleeping Giant State Park and home the Quinnipiac University School of Health Sciences, the School of Nursing,...
and is a member of the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association. Lancraft was founded in 1888, by conservative Freemasons, but over the years has become the pride of Irish Americans.
Lancraft mission statement
- To promote and perpetuate the art of fifing and drumming.
- To preserve and perform the traditional music of Colonial America.
- To support and participate in the Company of Fifers and Drummers.
- To help educate school children about fifing and drumming.
- To furnish Lancraft members a friendly, family social environment.
- To be a good cultural non-profit citizen of North Haven and Connecticut.
Corps history
Lancraft was organized along the banks of the Quinnipiac RiverQuinnipiac River
The Quinnipiac River is a river in the New England region of the United States, located entirely in the state of Connecticut.It rises in west central Connecticut from Dead Wood Swamp west of the city of New Britain...
in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven, Connecticut
New Haven is the second-largest city in Connecticut and the sixth-largest in New England. According to the 2010 Census, New Haven's population increased by 5.0% between 2000 and 2010, a rate higher than that of the State of Connecticut, and higher than that of the state's five largest cities, and...
in 1888, and has been in continuous operation ever since. The corps is named after New Haven Oysterman Ed Lancraft, who donated the first Continental Army
Continental Army
The Continental Army was formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America. Established by a resolution of the Continental Congress on June 14, 1775, it was created to coordinate the military efforts of the Thirteen Colonies in...
uniforms to the corps, and who allowed the corps to rehearse in one of his oyster houses.
Dan English
Daniel M. English was a world champion rudimental snare drummer who died April 14 1931 at the age of 28. English was a member of Lancraft from 1918 until his death in 1931. He was also active in the executive committee of the Connecticut Fifers and Drummers Association.English learned to drum under the instruction of J. Burns Moore, a nationally prominent drummer and instructor, and long time percussionist with the New Haven Symphony Orchestra
New Haven Symphony Orchestra
The New Haven Symphony Orchestra is an American symphony orchestra based in New Haven, Connecticut. The New Haven Symphony Orchestra gave its first concert in 1895 and is the fourth oldest orchestra in the United States.- History :...
. He became Lancraft Drum Sergeant after winning his first Connecticut snare drumming title in 1925; he repeated in 1926, '27 and '28. He also won the North East States, US National Championship, held in Brooklyn, New York in 1930, and the world title at Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck, Connecticut
Naugatuck is a consolidated borough and town in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. The town spans both sides of the Naugatuck River just south of Waterbury, and includes the communities of Union City on the east side of the river, which has its own post office, Straitsville on the...
in 1928.
English was both a player and instructor with the Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
Band. He taught many young drummers with the St. Francis School Drum Corps, was an instructor for both the New Haven and West Haven Institutes of Music and their respective drum corps, and had many private students.
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller was an American rudimental drummer, a national champion, educator, and author. Moeller was born in Albany, New York, and began his music education by studying the piano....
, a champion rudimental drummer, was so fascinated with the drumming style and ability of Dan English, that he learned all he could from him in several personal communications and meetings. In September 1931, Moeller drummed every step from Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden
Madison Square Garden, often abbreviated as MSG and known colloquially as The Garden, is a multi-purpose indoor arena in the New York City borough of Manhattan and located at 8th Avenue, between 31st and 33rd Streets, situated on top of Pennsylvania Station.Opened on February 11, 1968, it is the...
to the Boston Armory for the opening of the American Legion
American Legion
The American Legion is a mutual-aid organization of veterans of the United States armed forces chartered by the United States Congress. It was founded to benefit those veterans who served during a wartime period as defined by Congress...
National Convention. Lancraft, in full uniform, met and escorted Moeller through downtown New Haven and made him an honorary member of the corps that day.
Dan English Trophy
In memory of Dan English, a trophy was presented by Lancraft at the August 1932 State Convention held at Meriden, ConnecticutMeriden, Connecticut
Meriden is a city in New Haven County, Connecticut, United States. According to 2005 Census Bureau estimates, the population of the city is 59,653.-History:...
. The Dan English Trophy was retired to Lancraft's Moriarty Hall trophy case in 1988.
The inscription reads:
Corps organization
At a regular business meeting in 1898, it was voted to hold corps rehearsals on Thursday evenings and to this day Lancraft still rehearses on Thursday nights at Moriarty Hall. The corps draws its 65 plus members from towns throughout the state of ConnecticutConnecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
and from other New England
New England
New England is a region in the northeastern corner of the United States consisting of the six states of Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut...
states, as well as from; Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania is a U.S. state that is located in the Northeastern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the United States. The state borders Delaware and Maryland to the south, West Virginia to the southwest, Ohio to the west, New York and Ontario, Canada, to the north, and New Jersey to...
, Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
and California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. Many activities and management duties are performed by corps members whose marching days are over, and who are honored every year on the last Thursday in April at the annual Old Timer's Night.
The corps membership elects officer's at their annual business meeting held the first Thursday in November. The elected officer's handle all the day-to-day management duties of the corps and include the office of; President
President
A president is a leader of an organization, company, trade union, university, or country.Etymologically, a president is one who presides, who sits in leadership...
, Vice-President, Treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, Recording Secretary, Financial Secretary
Financial secretary
Financial secretary is an administrative and executive government position within the governance of a State, corporation, private or public organization, small group or other body with financial assets....
, Business Manager and Recruitment
Recruitment
Recruitment refers to the process of attracting, screening, and selecting qualified people for a job. For some components of the recruitment process, mid- and large-size organizations often retain professional recruiters or outsource some of the process to recruitment agencies.The recruitment...
.
Line officer's handle all rehearsals and the day-to-day management of the marchers and include the rank of; Drum Major
Drum Major
A drum major is the leader of a marching band, drum and bugle corps, or pipe band, usually positioned at the head of the band or corps. The drum major, who is often dressed in more ornate clothing than the rest of the band or corps, is responsible for providing commands to the ensemble regarding...
, Color Guard Sergeant, Fife Sergeant, Fife Corporal, Drum Sergeant, Bass Drum Corporal and Armorer
Armorer
An armourer or armorer is a member of a military or police force who maintains and repairs small arms and weapons systems, with some duties resembling those of a civilian gunsmith....
.
Instrumentation
Lancraft performs in the traditional Ancient style, using a six-hole wooden fifeFife (musical instrument)
A fife is a small, high-pitched, transverse flute that is similar to the piccolo, but louder and shriller due to its narrower bore. The fife originated in medieval Europe and is often used in military and marching bands. Someone who plays the fife is called a fifer...
and wooden rope tension snare
Snare drum
The snare drum or side drum is a melodic percussion instrument with strands of snares made of curled metal wire, metal cable, plastic cable, or gut cords stretched across the drumhead, typically the bottom. Pipe and tabor and some military snare drums often have a second set of snares on the bottom...
and bass
Bass drum
Bass drums are percussion instruments that can vary in size and are used in several musical genres. Three major types of bass drums can be distinguished. The type usually seen or heard in orchestral, ensemble or concert band music is the orchestral, or concert bass drum . It is the largest drum of...
drum
Drum
The drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s that are played in the ancient rudimental style.
Over the course of Lancraft history, many different fifes have been used, mostly were the product of George Cloos, Ferrary or Cooperman. The Cloos Company continued to make fifes up to 1946, after which the company was sold to the Penzel Company. It later became known as Penzel and Mueller, which continued to make fifes under the Cloos name. The company went out of business in 1952. In 1990, the corps switched to the Model F Fife, made of Grenadilla wood with chrome ferrules.
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller was an American rudimental drummer, a national champion, educator, and author. Moeller was born in Albany, New York, and began his music education by studying the piano....
, National Drum Champion and Lancraft member, was also a fine drum builder. On August 8 1954, Moeller personally delivered five new snare drums that were purchased by the Corps for $85.00 each. The Moeller drums are still being played today. Additional drums were purchased through the years from; Buck Soistman, Bill Reamer and his son, Andrew Reamer.
Uniform
The Lancraft uniformUniform
A uniform is a set of standard clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity. Modern uniforms are worn by armed forces and paramilitary organizations such as police, emergency services, security guards, in some workplaces and schools and by inmates...
consists of a black tricorn hat
Hat
A hat is a head covering. It can be worn for protection against the elements, for ceremonial or religious reasons, for safety, or as a fashion accessory. In the past, hats were an indicator of social status...
, white cockade
Cockade
A cockade is a knot of ribbons, or other circular- or oval-shaped symbol of distinctive colors which is usually worn on a hat.-Eighteenth century:...
, buff vest
Vest
A vest is a garment covering the upper body. The term has different meanings around the world:Waistcoat :. This is called a waistcoat in the UK and many Commonwealth countries, or a vest in the US and Canada. It is often worn as part of formal attire, or as the third piece of a lounge...
, white cravat
Cravat
The cravat is a neckband, the forerunner of the modern tailored necktie and bow tie, originating from 17th-century Croatia.From the end of the 16th century, the term band applied to any long-strip neckcloth that was not a ruff...
, khaki
Khaki
This article is about the fabric. For the color, see Khaki . Kaki, another name for the persimmon, is often misspelled "Khaki".Khaki is a type of fabric or the color of such fabric...
pants
Trousers
Trousers are an item of clothing worn on the lower part of the body from the waist to the ankles, covering both legs separately...
, black leggings
Leggings
Leggings are a type of fitted clothing covering the legs, which can be worn by both men and women.Originally leggings were two separate garments, one for each leg....
and navy blue tailcoat
Tailcoat
A tailcoat is a coat with the front of the skirt cut away, so as to leave only the rear section of the skirt, known as the tails. The historical reason coats were cut this way was to make it easier for the wearer to ride a horse, but over the years tailcoats of varying types have evolved into forms...
with buff trim and solid brass buttons. The uniform is a replica of those worn by General George Washington and his staff during the War for Independence in the late 18th century.
Since 1914, the Lancraft Color Guard
Color guard
In the military of the United States and other militaries, the color guard carries the National Color and other flags appropriate to its position in the chain of command. Typically these include a unit flag and a departmental flag...
has honored the first Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
by wearing leather Indian garb with full feathered war bonnet
War bonnet
Feathered war bonnets were worn by honored Plains Indian men, sometimes into battle, but most often for ceremonial occasions, and were seen as items of great spiritual and magical importance...
s and by carrying and firing Brown Bess
Brown Bess
Brown Bess is a nickname of uncertain origin for the British Army's Land Pattern Musket and its derivatives. This musket was used in the era of the expansion of the British Empire and acquired symbolic importance at least as significant as its physical importance. It was in use for over a hundred...
musket
Musket
A musket is a muzzle-loaded, smooth bore long gun, fired from the shoulder. Muskets were designed for use by infantry. A soldier armed with a musket had the designation musketman or musketeer....
s at parades, muster
Muster
Muster may refer to:* Muster , a process or event for the of accounting for members in a military unit* Muster , the rounding-up of livestock* Muster , a competitive skills event held between fire departments...
s and civic commemoration
Commemoration
Commemoration may refer to:*Commemoration , an observance of the Church of England*Commemoration , a prayer of the Roman Catholic Church...
s.
Moriarty Hall
Even before the group had a name, they practiced in an old blacksmith shop on Fairmont Avenue, in the Fair Haven section of New Haven, across from Ed Lancraft's house and oyster dock. During the 1890's, the railroad built a new line and demolished the shop. After the shop was demolished, Ed Lancraft told the boys they could use one of his oyster sheds for rehearsals.Some years later, a building fund was started to build their own clubhouse
Clubhouse
Clubhouse is an American drama television series starring Jeremy Sumpter, Dean Cain, Christopher Lloyd, Mare Winningham and Kirsten Storms. The theme song is "Our Lives" by The Calling....
. The Lancraft retired members or Olde Timers, answered the call for funds. Mike English, father of the late Lancraft drummer Dan English, donated the land in back of his home and took a mortgage
Mortgage
A mortgage is a security interest in real property held by a lender as a security for a debt, usually a loan of money. A mortgage in itself is not a debt, it is the lender's security for a debt...
. The two-story clubhouse was built and dedicated to Dan English.
Unfortunately, immediately after the mortgage was paid off in 1955, Interstate 95
Interstate 95
Interstate 95 is the main highway on the East Coast of the United States, running parallel to the Atlantic Ocean from Maine to Florida and serving some of the most populated urban areas in the country, including Boston, Providence, New Haven, New York City, Newark, Philadelphia, Baltimore,...
was planned to be built and would take the clubhouse and land. A member of another drum corps, Stony Creek, told a woman of Lancraft's plight and she offered to sell the corps several acres of land behind her home in North Haven.
Lancraft bought the land, and on August 31 1962, the members began to build their new clubhouse. By Labor Day
Labor Day
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September that celebrates the economic and social contributions of workers.-History:...
, the building was completely finished. Lancraft moved into the new clubhouse, named Moriarty Hall, in March of 1963 and held their very first Olde Timers Night on June 13 1963.
Accolades
Lancraft has won 32 state championships and individual members have won; 22 fife, 39 bass drum and 27 snare drum championships. One of the earliest published accounts of a first place finish in competition for Lancraft, occurred in 1908 at Vernon, ConnecticutVernon, Connecticut
Vernon is a town in Tolland County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 29,179 at the 2010 census.Vernon was incorporated in October, 1808, from Bolton. Vernon contains the former city of Rockville, incorporated in January, 1889. The town of Vernon and city of Rockville consolidated as a...
when eighteen men from Lancraft came in first place in the ancient class and received $50.00. The corps is also known for adding the singing part to the second strain of the song Green Cockade
Their drumline
Drumline
A drumline is a section of percussion instruments usually played as part of a musical marching ensemble. High school and college marching bands, drill and drum corps, drum and bugle corps, indoor percussion ensembles, and pipe bands usually incorporate drumlines; however, drumlines can exist...
, that has included drumming greats; Earl Sturtze, Frank Arsenault and Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford A. Moeller
Sanford Augustus "Gus" Moeller was an American rudimental drummer, a national champion, educator, and author. Moeller was born in Albany, New York, and began his music education by studying the piano....
, has won 4 national titles and 2 world titles. One of their best known snare drummers, Hugh Quigley, was inducted into the National Drum Corps Hall of Fame.
Lancraft was chosen by Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg
Colonial Williamsburg is the private foundation representing the historic district of the city of Williamsburg, Virginia, USA. The district includes buildings dating from 1699 to 1780 which made colonial Virginia's capital. The capital straddled the boundary of the original shires of Virginia —...
to represent a Colonial period drum corps at its first ever Prelude to Independence ceremony in 1958. George P. Carroll, who was organizing the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is one of four premier musical organizations of the United States Army. Members perform using musical instruments and wearing uniforms similar to those used by military musicians of the Continental Army during the American Revolution.It is the...
at the time, traveled to Williamsburg to see Lancraft play in 1959 when they were the host corps of the event. At the time, Carroll said of Lancraft;
Musters and Parades
Lancraft has marched in the Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade for several decades. Every summer, ancient drum corps from around the world travel to two of the oldest musters which are held at Deep River, ConnecticutDeep River, Connecticut
Deep River is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 4,629 at the 2010 census. The town center is also designated by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place...
in July, and Westbrook, Connecticut
Westbrook, Connecticut
Westbrook is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 6,292 at the 2000 census. The town center is also classified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a census-designated place .-Geography:...
in August. Lancraft has attended the Deep River and Westbrook Ancient Musters every year since these events were organized over five decades ago. Lancraft also attends the ancient muster at Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury, Massachusetts
Sudbury is a town in Middlesex County, Massachusetts, United States, population 17,659. The town was incorporated in 1639, with the original boundaries including what is now Wayland. Wayland split from Sudbury in 1780. When first incorporated, it included and parts of Framingham, Marlborough, Stow...
every September.