At the Sons of the American Revolution, St Lucie River Chapter, November 7 meeting, you will have the rare treat to witness a private performance by The Fort Pierce Central High School Cobra Drum & Fife Corps.
General Washington’s Continental Army used drums and fifes not only to boast morale, but also for communication and regimentation. By beats or signals of the drum, the army rose in the morning, assembled, paraded, saluted, marched, and retired.
Music, standardized for the army by the drill master Baron Friedrich Von Steuben, served as a signal in battle; the higher registers of the fife have piercing sounds that could carry above an encounter. Drums and fifes told soldiers in camp when to wake up, fetch wood or provisions, and show up for church.
The Fort Pierce Central High School Cobra Drum & Fife Corps was established in the 2019-2020 school year to provide an additional means for the corps of cadets to connect with the community, to entertain and motivate the Cobra Battalion, and as an outlet for the musically inclined cadets. The Cobra Drum & Fife Corps began with only one snare drummer (on a borrowed drum) and one fifer but now fields several drummers (both snare and bass) and several fifers. In its inaugural year, the Cobra Drum & Fife Corps conducted three community service events but hopes to expand that number to twelve in the 2020-2021 school year. The volunteer musical director, Mr. William Flannagan of Treasure Coast Fife & Drum, initially conducted in-person practice sessions with the cadets at the school (driving from Stuart, FL every other week) but was forced to stop due to the COVID epidemic. After several months off, the musical director and the Drum Major, Cadet Captain Nathaniel Johnson, reestablished the practice regimen online using the school’s online learning management system.
After the performance Hall Riediger will discuss the recent state Board of Management meeting in Orlando.
Our meeting is held at American Legion Post 318, 1000 Savanna Club Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952.
Dr Robert Hess, SAR Member