Kentish Guards Fife & Drum Corps

The Kentish Guards Fife and Drum Corps is one of the foremost corps in the nation. Upholding a legacy of musical excellence, the Corps performs a diverse repertoire, blending traditional fife and drum melodies with authentic compositions—among them, a medley of tunes passed down from their original fife instructor of 1774. As part of the legally constituted Kentish Guards Militia, the Corps enjoys unique opportunities to perform in prestigious military ceremonies, including ceremonial inspections by the state Adjutant General, appearances at Gubernatorial Balls, and performances for visiting dignitaries. These occasions offer a rare and profound experience, allowing audiences to witness the fife and drum tradition in its full military context. The fife section, which would have originally played on single-piece straight fifes, now performs with modern two-piece fifes, crafted in both 10-hole and 6-hole models by the world-renowned Healy Flute Co. Similarly, the drum section, once equipped with shorter drums featuring calfskin drum heads, now plays on more contemporary rope-tension drums, crafted by the Cooperman Drum Co. These instruments, while evolving with time, continue to uphold the rich musical heritage of the Kentish Guards, allowing each note and beat to echo the traditions of our past.

2026 Concerts: Hometown Heroes June 14, 2026