The Corps
The Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps of Hackettstown, NJ is a traditional ancient fife and drum corps with members ranging in age from 19 and up. Our uniforms represent the Revolutionary War era, and we play standard traditional fife and drum music. We play fifes, rope tension snare drums, and barrel bass drums, and we have a color guard.
Our History
The Colonial Musketeers Senior Corps (CMSA) began in March 2000 under the direction of Dianne Romano. Dianne was a fifer with the Morris County Militia during her formative years. A group of parents with children in the Junior Corps asked Dianne to teach them how to play the fife, and the Senior Corps was born.
We marched in our first parade on Memorial Day 2000 with a repertoire of just 2 songs — impressive when you consider that all of the fifers except for Dianne had only started playing the fife two and a half months earlier! We were fortunate enough to have a very experienced drum line.
We did our first uniformed performance in December 2000. Our first paid performance — the first of 8 in 2001 — was a memorable St. Patrick's Day Parade in Morristown, NJ. We were also proud and honored to participate in a candlelight parade and vigil in response to the September 11th tragedy.
We won our first trophy for Best Appearing Drum Corps at the Boonton, NJ Fireman's Parade, have been on television, and grew to 19 members with a parade routine of 14 songs. The Colonial Musketeers Senior Ancient Fife and Drum Corps was incorporated on August 30, 2001. On November 17, 2001, we were proud and honored to become members of The Company of Fifers and Drummers.
Uniforms
The Senior Corps was fortunate to receive a donation of uniforms, Cooperman drums, and equipment from the former Courthouse Volunteers Fife and Drum Corps of Freehold, NJ. Our Revolutionary War style uniforms consist of a green coat with black facing, decorated by a plethora of large and small military style buttons. Underneath is a black waistcoat and a ruffled white bib. The uniform is completed by buff-colored pants, black lace-up gaiters, black shoes, and a black cocked hat.
Philosophy
One of the greatest strengths of the corps is our ability to work well together and have fun while accomplishing a great deal. CMSA is a blend of alumni from many New Jersey fife and drum corps, and also welcomes members who are still learning. The Ancient Spirit is certainly thriving here!
Musters
We are proud to participate in the Westbrook, Deep River, and Old Saybrook Christmas Musters. The Senior Corps has earned a growing reputation as a serious corps who knows how to enjoy a muster.
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