Join Our Fife & Drum Corps
Who We Are | Rules for Members | FAQs | Join the Corps
Join the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps and participate in the historic fife and drum tradition. Learn to play a musical instrument, make new friends, travel to interesting places, and share in the camaraderie of the Corps.
Open to all interested youth, age 8 to 18.
No prior musical experience is necessary!
Learn to read and play music.
Grow your confidence, musicianship, and performance skills.
Enjoy the camaraderie of life long friends.
Travel around the Northeast and Europe.
Cultivate discipline, leadership, and responsibility.
The William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps is more than just a band, it is a family. We welcome any young person to unlock their musical ability as well as teach them skills that build the foundation for success in later life.
Be a part of something truly special and discover how the joy of music can change lives. Build your confidence and take pride in developing skills to last a lifetime.
Come see us at one of our Monday rehearsals!
Who We Are
The William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps is a traditional fife and drum corps based in Lexington, Massachusetts. The Corps was founded in 2001 by Mr. Carmin Calabrese to provide local youth with an environment to develop life skills in a fun, safe, and musical way.
Since 2001 the Corps has grown into a highly successful group with an international reputation. The Corps is led by a cadre of staff who are well renowned in the fife and drum world. With over 50 members, the youngest musicians are just 8 years old and most of the new recruits join the Corps with no previous musical experience.
Rules for Corps Members
Everyone should stay together as a group at all times when at an event.
All corps members will form up immediately in their respective places in line when asked by the major. When the corps is formed up, members should be at a rest position, and be listening for further instructions.
Uniforms will only be worn just before performances or parades. After each performance or parade corps members are to change back into their street clothes.
When in uniform, drummers will have their drums and sticks in their possession at all times. When not in uniform, drums will be put in cases and returned to an assigned area.
Sticks are to be kept in slings or in drummer's right hand at their sides except when asked to perform.
Fifes should be kept in their cases except when asked to perform. If a fifer does not have a fife case, the fife should be in their right hand at their side.
Drums and fifes are not to be played except during performances, rehearsals, parades, or when permission is granted by one of the Directors or instructors.
Everyone will be in full uniform at all performances. There will be no rolled up sleeves or missing uniform parts. Members who arrive with less than a full uniform may be asked not to participate in the performance. Your uniform includes your instrument.
When in parade formation there will be no wiggling, turning around, or talking. Eyes are to be kept forward and all corps members and recruits are to be at attention.
When in parade formation only three corps members are allowed to speak. They are the fife sergeant, the drum sergeant, and the major.
All corps members and recruits should arrive for rehearsals on time for roll call.
William Diamond members are responsible for learning all the music in the repertoire in a timely fashion. Instructors will determine the length of time members have to learn new music when the music is introduced at rehearsal. We recommend practicing one half hour each day to achieve this goal.
All senior corps members will help set an example for junior members and recruits by being responsible, mature, and respectful.
Senior corps members will help teach younger members when asked to do so by the directors.
Corps members must attend all major corps events.
FAQs
What's involved in joining the Corps?
The members of the Corps are young people from Lexington and surrounding towns, ages 8-18, who participate in parades, musters, colonial/historical events, and community events. Members learn to play a fife, snare drum, or bass drum, and participate in the color guard at events until they have mastered their instrument of choice.
When and where is rehearsal?
The Corps rehearses on Mondays from 6:00 to 8:00PM. Summer rehearsals are held on the lawn at Buckman Tavern (1 Bedford St, Lexington, MA 02420). In the winter, and in inclement weather, rehearsal moves indoors at First Baptist Church 1580 Massachusetts Ave, Lexington.
What is required?
Members are expected to attend rehearsals on a regular basis and take part in class without being disruptive. Members should practice their instrument at home and participate in a majority of Corps performances. It is hard work, but lots of fun and very rewarding.
What is the cost?
A monthly payment of $50.00 (for one child) or $75.00 (for 2 or more children) covers the uniform, except for socks and shoes. Music lessons are provided by accomplished volunteer instructors, so there is no extra fee for music lessons. Beginners will need to expend the cost of purchasing an inexpensive fife, or ancient drumsticks and practice pad with stand, to begin lessons. There are also some personal costs associated with travel (gas, hotel/camping, food, etc.). The Corps is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization and works to keep the costs as low as possible for the families involved.
What events does the Corps participate in?
There are roughly 20 events that the Corps participates in each year, including the Patriots’ Day parade, our own annual Lexington Tattoo & Muster, Bedford Pole Capping, July 4th parade, U.S.S. Constitution, Lincoln and Sudbury events, as well as some events in New York, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and Western Massachusetts. Periodically, the Corps travels for large events, such as to Colonial Williamsburg, VA, and even to Switzerland, Ireland, and England! Go to our gallery to see photos of past trips.
What is the parental involvement?
Parents are expected to help out, on a volunteer basis, to organize events, coordinate things such as bake sales, and keep the children in order—generally just to help keep things running smoothly!
Where can I obtain more information?
For an excellent introduction to our Corps, and to fifing and drumming in general, contact our founding director, Carmin Calabrese by filling out the form below.
Interested in Joining?
We welcome you to become acquainted with us at our next open house. These quarterly meetings explain what it is to be a member of the William Diamond Juniors Fife & Drum Corps, and to provide an opportunity for you to observe a rehearsal in progress.
Please fill out the form below to get in touch.
