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I enjoyed your website. One of my great grandfathers, Samuel Turl, was bandmaster of the 70th NY reg from 1861-1862. Unfortunately I do not have any further info. If anyone has more info (pics, docs, etc...) it would be greatly appreciated if you could pass it along. Thank you.
William <xxxxxxx@yahoo.com>
New York, NY USA - Sunday, June 10, 2012 at 10:50:51 (EDT)

I am glad to find your site. I command the National Battalion of the 79th New York. Our band is good and could always use a partner such as yourselves to continue to improve. Would very much like to see the NY connection in the future. Ever Forward, Lance
Lance Dawson <lance.dawson@answerfinancial.com>
Knoxville, TN USA - Thursday, April 05, 2012 at 16:59:08 (EDT)

Enjoyed your site. I belong to the NY 7th Cavalry, we are a new group, learning the ropes. Having fun, learning and teaching others as we go.
Diane Theetge <dtheetge@fltg.net>
Ovid, NY USA - Sunday, January 29, 2012 at 21:50:45 (EST)

Great web page, hoping to get my Sea Cadets to Play some Fife & Drum. This page has helped us. Chief Kelly
Michael <mkelly@jerseycityseacadets>
Jersey City, NJ USA - Tuesday, August 09, 2011 at 16:15:09 (EDT)

I am the Parade Chair for the Egypt Fire Department. I believe you have marched with us before. Can you please contact me @ 585-329-1697 re: parades. thanks
Chuck Friden <chuck.b.friden@exxonmobil.com>
Fairport, NY USA - Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at 07:54:33 (EDT)

Does anyone with your group have information specific to the 70th New York?
Charlotte Shover <cshover@lightblast.net>
Rosemount, MN USA - Saturday, April 16, 2011 at 20:31:46 (EDT)

Would love to have you perform at our fund raiser on May 12th, for the War of 1812 International Peace Garden in Hamlin. Please contact me at your earliest conienence.
Sharon <sbronson2006@yahoo.com>
Hilton, NY USA - Wednesday, March 16, 2011 at 16:54:25 (EDT)

Urgent! Need a fife and drum player for big 1812 Bicentennial fundraising event Friday eve. Feb 18 in Batavia. Does anyone have any contacts. This is a big media event. Sorry it is so last minute. Thanks. Paula 585-738-9457.
Paula Savage <paula.savage@ipgf.org>
Batavia, NY USA - Thursday, February 17, 2011 at 14:57:07 (EST)

Can you put me in touch with a Fife and Drum Corps in the Niagara New York Area. I am a rudimental snare drummer with Drum Corp experience looking for Fife and Drum experience....thanx
RON <rjones60@cogeco.ca>
Niagara Falls, Ont Canada - Saturday, October 25, 2008 at 04:36:09 (EDT)

Bored................Love you guys though! ....website= flawless, your music= perfection, snare drummer that moves away and moves down south = hack You guys should win a medal for best fife and drum corps. or something, Just my personal opinion.
Guess who
Concord, NC USA - Sunday, April 20, 2008 at 23:47:05 (UTC)

Would love to see you guys come to Pensacola!
kathy brown <kmbbrown@deleted>
penscola, fl USA - Sunday, October 14, 2007 at 19:13:53 (EDT)

Ken Barlow.....DRUMMER GOD. Checked out the site...looks really good.
Shawn T. Rose <medicman25@deleted>
Manchester, NY USA - Tuesday, October 02, 2007 at 09:11:31 (EDT)

My 17 yr. old son would like to learn fife in the Chicago area. Do you know of anyone who teaches in this area?
Donna Iler <Donna@deleted>
Villa Park, IL USA - Wednesday, August 22, 2007 at 06:42:29 (EDT)

Hi Everyone! I just saw that you ARE coming down to Leesburg this weekend!!!! YESSSS!! Guess what? I am completely outfitted in AUTHENTIC Union garb from the Regimental Quartermaster. (Minus light blue overcoat) AND, I have practiced and played ALL WINTER. LONE FIFER/member of the NOT formed Potomac Home Brigade, I would be very happy if you would allow me to, once again, fall in with your unit for (just) the parade on saturday. Of course I expect to be on the sidelines during your standpiece; I'll be the one cheering and clapping the loudest. (And requesting Jaybird every so often at the jam session. HAHAHA!) Actually, I can now keep up on Gary Owen! I can WAIT to see (and jam with) my Remembrance Day buddies THIS FRIDAY NIGHT!! If I 'pass muster', I would THRILL to be marching with the One and Only Excelsior Brigade through the SECESH streets of Lessburg on Saturday. lol. Phoebe
Phoebe <IMALLDAT@deleted>
GAITHERSBURG, MD USA - Monday, June 11, 2007 at 20:32:26 (EDT)

My great-great grandfather was a zouave in the 74th. I have a web site about him: http://www.scoilgaeilge.org/lasmuigh/CivilWar/WK.htm I also have some nice GAR stuff, if you are interested in that: http://www.scoilgaeilge.org/lasmuigh/CivilWar/GAR.htm Nice to see people remembering the Excelsior Brigade!
Jim Norton <JamusN@deleted>
West Babylon, NY USA - Sunday, April 01, 2007 at 10:45:31 (EDT)

My husband plays bag pipes, irish fiddle, tin whistle, banjo,etc. as I am sure you are well aware of the variety and love of this type of music. Anyway, I just found youtube where you guys are on video. We have a one and a half year old grandson that is ABSOLUTLEY IN LOVE with your videos!!! When he stays with us he cries and says "drums!" until we watch your video clips! We will sit and watch them for, HOURS at a time!!! No kidding. He will clap and carry on about the drums and the fife. It is UNREAL! He loves grandpa's pipes and music. He loves to "pickit" on the dulcimer, banjo, guitar, and blow on the tin whistle or whatever we have. but nothing compares to Excelsior Brigrade to him. I guess the world better watch out because he love some really good stuff!!! Good job guys. We live in Central ILlinois but hopefully some day we will be able to bring JOhnathan to see you live! Thanks for making our life easier (at 3 a.m. when he does not want to sleep (smile))
Kathy Readnour <email@deleted>
moweaqua, illinois USA - Sunday, February 04, 2007 at 20:25:11 (EST)

hi, like your site. do you have a snare score for amzing grace? if so, please send. thanks, larry, stick'n in chico
larry loughlin <lilalough@aol.com>
chico, ca USA - Monday, December 25, 2006 at 10:01:22 (EST)

I AM LOOKING FOR A FIFE AND DRUM CORPS TO JOIN AND THERE NONE IN MY AREA THAT I KNOW OF. I MET JIM SMITH LAST JUNE AT DON HUBBARDS FIELD MUSIC SCHOOL AND YOUR GROUP WAS ONE OF HIS REFERENCES. I AM ABOUT 2HRS AWAY FROM YOU BUT I AM VERY INERESTED IN MEETING YOUR GROUP AND CHECKING YOU OUT. IF YOU COULD EMAIL ME ON YOUR FUTURE PRACTICE DATES AND DIRECTIONS I WOULD LIKE TO STOP BY. THANK YOU JERRY BORDEN
JERRY BORDEN <email-address-deleted>
NEWPORT, NY USA - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 12:12:54 (EST)

nice playing with you folks on sat.it was nice to combind field music great job ! thanks tyler penn NJ field music
tyler penn <email-address-deleted>
USA - Tuesday, November 21, 2006 at 11:24:02 (EST)

HI GUYS!!!! It's Phoebe-the straggler fifer with the FAKE JACKET who marched with you on Saturday in Gettysburg, and then TRIED to jam at O'Rourke's ALL DAY AND ALL NIGHT. I just found you on line, and EVEN PICTURES OF SATURDAY, ALREADY!!! It made me SO HAPPY to see all your faces again! I CAN'T TELL YOU what it meant to me to, for the VERY FIRST TIME IN 30 YEARS, march, ONCE AGAIN in FINE UNIT like YOURS! I had the CHILLS THE ENTIRE TIME in the parade - and ESPECIALLY when we marched down and back before the parade! WOW! Seeing all those Union guys! After a visit to Gettysburg this summer, I was inspired to get out my RUSTY fife and start practicing, and, on day, get to play in Gettysburg. LITTLE DID I EVER IMAGINE, IN MY WILDEST DREAMS, that I would be so welcomed into (such a TALENTED) corps, SO SOON! I NEVER EVER expected to get to do WHAT YOU ALLOWED ME TO DO!!! For a 54-year old lady (who dressed like a boy, and then went to the ball as a lady that night), it was the most excited and happiest I've been since those 'heady' days aournd the Bicentennial. But the REVOLUTION IS OVER!!! IT'S ALL ABOUT THE CIVIL WAR TO ME NOW!! ("DUDE!!" HAHAHA!) You were ALL so kind and polite and FUN (and thanks for that coat!!!) that I CAN'T WAIT to 'join up' again, even if it's next year!! You guys are already my 'Buds'...my 'comrades in arms'. I REFUSE to don the gray and march with the Loudoun Guard, which is closest to me, but ACROSS THE POTOMAC from MY MARYLAND. OH NO. ONLY THE BLUE for me. AND THE FIFES AND DRUMS OF THE EXCELSIOR BRIGADE FOREVER!!! WOO HOO!!! lol. (I PROMISE to get all the good fife books and practice before I see you next.) LOTS OF LOVE AND GRATITUDE (and mistakes, of course),Phoebe (the one in the 'sutpid section' of fifers at the jam session). HAHAHAHAHA! HAVE A GREAT HOLIDAY SEASON AND THANKS FOR CHANGING MY LIFE WITH YOUR WARMTH, SMILES, AND TALENT!
Phoebe <email-address-deleted>
Montgomery Village, MD USA - Monday, November 20, 2006 at 13:03:07 (EST)

Hi, I'm a fifer with the Mifflin Guard and 3rd New Jersey Field Music. I remember some of your musicians (a fifer and drummer) coming to Schwenksville, Pa (Pennypacker Mills) in June. Hope to see you guys in full sometime!
Donald Heminitz <email-address-deleted>
Zionsville, Pa USA - Tuesday, November 14, 2006 at 00:23:42 (EST)

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Hello, I liked the photos on your website. Keep working on it.
USA - Monday, August 28, 2006 at 05:49:30 (EDT)

Ken --- Thanks again for hospitality on St. Patrick's Day in Rochester. Recently I've been trying to email Bob Frail, but as Elvis used to say, "...the letters keep coming back" ---- Please pass my e-mail address to Bob and ask him to get in touch. Thanks & In the Ancient Spirit, Jim
Jim Smith <email-address-deleted>
Greensburg, PA USA - Monday, June 26, 2006 at 21:10:22 (EDT)

Hi. I'm already a reenactor and drummer for my unit (Reynolds Battery). I've seen you guys around- played and talked with a couple of you before- and you're all great. I live in Lockport but I'd love someone to maybe help me out with learning new and harder music and just basically improve my style. So I was wondering if you knew any drum and fife groups a little closer to the Buffalo region. If not, I might try figuring a way to get out there and check you guys out. Thanks for anything, ~Sara (aka Pvt John)
Sara Chapman <email deleted>
Lockport, NY USA - Tuesday, May 30, 2006 at 18:39:57 (EDT)

can anyone send me any proper Music sheet that shows fife and drum sheets together?
Sam <Raichu_3001@deleted email address>
- Wednesday, March 29, 2006 at 04:09:28 (EST)

Hi, I'm looking to go to college at RIT come fall, though I wanted to look around at the Civil War reenactment groups and fife and drum corps that were nearby. Saw your site, and I even saw a wealth of sheet music available for the fife. Very useful, and if I get accepted at RIT and end up going there, I will almost certainly try joining the corps.
Greg Hillenbrand <email deleted>
Richmondville, NY USA - Saturday, January 14, 2006 at 11:39:33 (EST)

So far, I've gotten six, maybe seven phone calls about the new fife & drum corps I'm starting out here on the prairie of Kansas. I'd like to steal------um borrow [yeah, that's it, borrow] some of your ideas on your recruiting page. Your methods look sound, and practical.
Chester <email deleted>
USA - Wednesday, November 09, 2005 at 23:14:24 (EST)

Great website. I am a fifer in the 1st N.M. Field Music. But I am from CT. Hope to see you at Deep River some year!
KathyPalmer <email deleted>
Albuquerque, NM USA - Sunday, October 09, 2005 at 12:54:52 (EDT)

I am a beginner fifer and I found this site very enjoyable! I think it was very informational and helped me understand the fife's history. I cant wait to start taking my lessons.
Becky Marchicelli <email deleted>
Hackettstown, Nj USA - Saturday, June 11, 2005 at 14:46:53 (EDT)

BEING ORIGINALY FROM PALMYRA AND NOW A 27 YEAR RESIDENT OF TAMPA BAY I SURE LIKED A PEEK AT THE OLD HOMETOWN AND I HOPE TO SEE YOUR OUTFIT PERFORM IN PERSON SOMEDAY.
ERIC SIEBERT <email deleted>
S. PASASENA, FL USA - Thursday, October 21, 2004 at 20:25:38 (EDT)

Hi, I thought you would like to know that your link to Rochster-info.com is out of date. The Web site has moved. The new Web site is InfoRochester.com and the URL is http://www.inforochester.com. I hope this helps. Max
Max Lent <email deleted>
Webster, NY United States - Tuesday, October 12, 2004 at 14:56:56 (EDT)

Ken, don't know if you remember me. I'm still fifing on my own. Hope to speak with you in person. DA------516-581-2279
david alperstein <email deleted>
valley stream, ny USA - Friday, June 11, 2004 at 10:57:28 (EDT)

I found your website by accident, but have found it very interesting. When I was at school in Hampshire(too many years ago to tell you here!)I used to play the Bb fife in a cadet band. Drum and fife bands have almost disappeared in England compared with the numbers there used to be and there are only a handful left now - it's great to see the tradition very much alive with you. I still have my old fife but for many years now have been playing either a modern orchestral instrument, or else a wooden 8-key flute - rather like a fife but bigger - in a ceilidh band. I see that somewhere on your sute there is a reference to the Ancient Fife and Drum repertore as 'folk music' : the 'folkies' I play with are a fairly anarchic and indisciplined lot who, I think, would be surprised at that! All the best, and keep fifing, Mike.
Mike Bayliss
Broadstairs, Kent England - Monday, April 05, 2004 at 11:15:29 (EDT)

Hey Ken, Im not sure If you remember me but I was at mumford with you in 2003.I am in the 155th NYVI co. I. Hope to see you next year at mumford. Russell.
Russell C
Las Vegas, NV USA - Tuesday, March 16, 2004 at 12:26:47 (EST)

Hey excellent website! And a 'hometown' fife & drum/field musick group to boot! (well...Rochester/Shortsville is close enough to my neck of the wood to be considered 'hometown) Very interesting and informative. I printed off a copy of your 2004 schedule and will attempt to catch some of your performances this year...although I will be busy 'drummin' myself as I joined the Old Fort Niagara fife & drum corps; official name is 'King's Regiment Field Musick'. Although the Field Musick is a much earlier time period than the Excelsior Brigade (1764-1783 time period); some of the tunes are the same or very similar to tunes played during the Civil War period. The snare drums are very similar although with simpler/cruder hardware. And of course the rudiments used are the same. If your group appears at Fort Niagara I will try to be there! Cheers and good drumming.
Thomas Moje <email deleted.com>
Ransomville, NY USA - Wednesday, March 10, 2004 at 12:35:02 (EST)

Nice site, nice corps. Nice paint job on those drums! Looking forward to TwinCAM '04. Trooper Jim Civil War Troopers Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
Jim "Trooper Jim" McCabe <email deleted>
Highland Mills, NY USA - Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 09:05:35 (EST)

Only a geek would post a comment in his own guestbook (didn't think I'd read down that far, didja) :-)
Sue <email deleted>
Cromwell, CT USA - Tuesday, December 16, 2003 at 08:17:31 (EST)

My name is Kevin Whiting and I am a snare drummer for the Genesee Valley Fife and drum corps. and i just wanted to tell the members of the Excelsior Brigade how good they soundeed at the shortsville muster! I was really impressed! The drummers sounded like one drum and the fifers played like they've been playing all their lives! Good job Excelsior Brigade keep up the good work!
Kevin Whiting <email deleted.com>
Rochester, Ny USA - Sunday, September 21, 2003 at 09:49:11 (EDT)

What a Great idea! Had I not been at Mumford this past weekend I don't know when I would have heard of the Excelsior Brigade but I'm glad I had a chance to fall in with Ken, Kim, Greg and the other boys in the Corp. Enjoyed very much the comradarie and being able to play with some fine musicians at Mumford. Unfortunately, since Wednesdays do not work well in my schedule I will simply consider the practices in Shortsville an open invitation and will join you whenever I am able. Keep up the good work! (Any chance of starting a branch outfit in the Syracuse area?) Shawn Parsons 149th NYSVI "The 4th Onondaga Regiment"
Shawn Parsons <email deleted>
Syracuse, NY USA - Sunday, July 20, 2003 at 22:04:17 (EDT)

Enjoyed meeting up with Steve and Di at the Loudon Border Guards Muster in Leesburg this weekend. Hope to see you again. Ken, everyone was talking about your twins. Congratulations! I'd still like to see ALV represented at your muster in Sept. even if just a couple of fifers turn out. Sharon and I are game. Best Wishes, Alice
Alice Dillon from ALV <email-address-deleted>
Athens, WV USA - Monday, May 05, 2003 at 10:05:50 (EDT)

What a great site. I just wish I had found it a while ago when some freind were looking for some sheet music. Keep up the good work Cheers Dan
Dan
Qld Australia - Sunday, March 02, 2003 at 23:56:02 (EST)

Super, super site. Very well done indeed!! earnard
Walden, NY USA - Monday, February 24, 2003 at 16:59:27 (EST)
Enjoyed your site very much! Thank you! Keep up a great work!
James Fox
USA - Thursday, February 13, 2003 at 16:51:57 (EST)
Hi there! Ron posted some comments from Steve and Di on the Moodus website (in the members only section) ... Glad to hear you enjoyed our muster and perhaps we'll see you there again next year. You mentioned the "Excelsior Brigade" in your post, so I wanted to check out your site... love the pictures! Will you have your 2002 photos working soon? Thanks, Half of Moodus' "Benson twins" :) (no, we're not really twins ... and yes, we ARE really sisters!)
Elaina Benson <email-address-deleted>
Moodus, CT USA - Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 13:14:49 (EDT)
If there's Civil War nostalgia, fifes and drums probably recreate it better for me than anything else.
David
USA - Thursday, September 26, 2002 at 16:36:43 (EDT)
Hi and lots of musical greetings from the Spielmanns- und Fanfarenzug Neu�tting, Bavaria, Germany. Best regards and enjoy making music. Thomas Wienzl

GERMANY - Tuesday, July 23, 2002 at 08:52:11 (EDT)
Dear All, I was surprised and happy to see someone else embracing the Excelsior Brigade. We have been reenacting Co. C of the 72nd New York about six years now and have been aware of only one other group doing anything related to this brigade. We have accumulated a large amount of historical information if any of your members are interested, I would invite them to write. With your permission I will include your address to our links page once it becomes fully functional. Nice to find you! Sincerely, Rick Barram
Rick Barram <>
Red Bluff, CA USA - Monday, June 24, 2002 at 21:07:35 (EDT)
Proud to be the dad of two great "fifers and drummers" Dee Florance and Cormac Quinn- "Semper Fi"
Ed. Quinn <euacuinn@deleted.net>
Elkins, WV USA - Thursday, June 20, 2002 at 12:58:13 (EDT)
Nice web site.... I really liked the Drum section. But BAD joke about 'cookies' !!! But since you mentioned it, be sure and support your local girl scouts by purchasing and enjoying Girl Scout Cookies. Our upstart F&D corps were originally a girl scout troop and one brother (The Pipin' Fife & Drum Corps).
Carol Swanson <cswanson55@deleted>
Buda, TX USA - Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 16:58:35 (EST)
Just checking to see if Carol's problem had to do with cookies.
Steve B
USA - Wednesday, January 16, 2002 at 12:59:18 (EST)
We saw you guys at Canantown Days, you looked great!! I heard a fife and drum corp. performing earlier Sat. afternoon, was that you? (ed: Yes, it was us.) If it was I wish I'd known, I would have loved to listen a little closer. Good luck in the future.
Jennifer DeRue <candles6@deleted>
Newark, NY USA - Sunday, September 16, 2001 at 20:38:59 (EDT)
Great web site. I'm a beginner fifer looking for instruction and a group to join or contacts. I'll be in Henrietta Labor Day weekend/staying at Econolodge on Jefferson Rd.---Home#516-256-0089
david alperstein <
Dirk <alv@deleted>
Blacksburg, VA USA -
Just poking around. Great web site ;-) !
Ken Barlow <kenb@deleted>
Rochester, NY USA -

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