2019 Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg
Join us for the annual Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg on May 17-19, 2019 in Williamsburg, Virginia. Drummers Call, a gathering of select fife and drum corps from around the country, is a spring ritual at Colonial Williamsburg. These fife and drum ensembles will delight the thousands who come out for the performances with music and impressions ranging from Colonial America through the turn of the 20th century.
Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg
Celebrate the traditions of 18th-century military music and explore the important roles played by fifers and drummers. Fife and drum corps units from across the United States join the Colonial Williamsburg Fifes and Drums to perform grand displays of period music throughout the weekend. You’ll want to respond to the Drummers Call, a call beaten by the duty fifer and drummer to mass the regimental musicians for the playing of ceremonies such as Reveille, Retreat, and Tattoo.
Admission: General Park Admission, No Event Ticket Required
Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Location
Colonial Williamsburg (performances in various venues)
101-A Visitor Center Drive
Williamsburg, VA 23185
(888) 965-7254
Drummers Call Participant Registration
NOTE: ALL Drummers Call participants are required to pre-register for this event. Colonial Williamsburg covers the costs associated with hosting Drummers Call and therefore a by-name registration is required. All alumni may register online here.
Drummers Call Host Hotel
Discount Hotel rates at The Governors Inn, just mention Drummers Call.
506 North Henry Street, Williamsburg, VA 23185: Call 757-220-7940
Online Reservations
Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg Mini Gallery
Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg Schedule
Friday
5:00 PM Alumni arrive at the F&D building roll call and to retrieve drums
7:00 PM Alumni perform outside the Kimball Theatre
Saturday
9:00 – 11:00 AM Registration at the Fife & Drum Building
9:00 AM 60th Anniversary Planning Committee Meeting (location TBD)
10:45 AM Rehearsal
11:40 AM All corps assemble at Capitol Circle
11:50 AM Patrick Henry addresses units at Capitol Circle
12:00 – 3:00 PM “Grand March and Review” – All corps march from the Capitol to Market, Square via Palace Street followed by “on stand” performances – 5 minutes
each Corps
12:30 -2:00 PM Boxed Lunch for all performing units behind Chownings Tavern – Voucher provided to Alumni who pre-register before April 09
6:00 – 7:30 PM Dinner for all performing units – Voucher provided to Alumni who pre-register before April 09
8:15 PM Alumni assemble in front of the Palace
8:30 PM “Williamsburg Military Tattoo” – A torch lit March from Palace Green to the Capitol.
9:00 – 10:00 PM A jam follows behind Shields Tavern.
Importance of Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg
The tradition of military music through the ages is as important to preserve as art, material, culture, and trades. By hosting an event such as Drummers Call, Colonial Williamsburg is able to display and educate its guests about the importance of Fife and Drum units from the 18th to the 20th centuries. The annual event has become one that welcomes new units each year, while relying on a “core” of Corps to participate.
What is a Military “Tattoo”?
The Tattoo was originally a piece played by the fifers and drummers of military units to announce the time to return to camp for the evening. Loosely translated from a Dutch phrase, “Turn the Taps To”, meaning the taverns were to close for the evening (turn their taps off).
Mark your calendar today so you don’t miss the next Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg in Williamsburg, Virginia.
Tags: Drummers Call at Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg Fife and drum corps muster, revolutionary War Reenactment