2012 in Review

Boston Massacre

As I sit here weathering out The Blizzard of 2013, I would like to take a minute to review 2012. I think this past year was one of the best of my life. I made new friends, tried new things, went to new places, started high school, and more. My year started off with workshops for reenacting. I participated in a gaitored-trousers workshop run through a group called The Hive, and I went to a 1778 "Lottery" waistcoat workshop with my own, 2nd Mass Reg't. I went own to be being apart of the mob at the Boston Massacre reenactment in March. This past year it was put on by a group of very passionate reenactors who created a whole new impressions just for this event. The Massacre is going to be even better this, so it is said. Soon after the Boston Riot, I broke my hand. This was my first bone breakages and unfortunately it occurred in one of the busiest times of year for me. As it is extremely hard to drum two-handed with only one working arm, my good friend, Jenn, who used to play snare willingly stepped up to be a snare drummer while I was recovering from my injury. Over time I learned how to play well enough with my working hand, and I improved on my left handed strokes.

broken hand

My next great adventure was the trip to Michigan which, as a stated in a previous blog post, was one of the best trip I've taken to date. After Michigan, I went to Junior Fife and Drum Camp. The camp is one of a kind; it is a four-day long fife and drum workshop that is taught by skilled volunteers. Every year the theme is different and this past year the focus was on the music of the Connecticut Yanks. The Yanks were one of the best corps in fife and drum history and have influenced the way many corps sound today. Taken from Camp's website:

"The Company of Fifer and Drummer Junior Fife and Drum Camp is offered each year to ensure that the quality and scope of fifing and drumming continues to improve, expand, and prosper. This is accomplished through the use of instructional workshops, which provide junior drum corps members with the tools needed to increase their knowledge in various aspects of fifing and drumming. All workshops are conducted in a friendly, open, and professional manner to provide a positive experience for all. 
• Appearance at the famous Deep River Ancient Muster Tattoo allows campers to showcase their camp accomplishments. 
• Standpiece allows campers of all ability levels to participate fully in the performance, which will also include advanced small ensemble pieces for the more seasoned players. 
• Standpieces will be available online so participants can practice prior to camp. 
• Instructional program focuses on improvement of playing and performance skills, and music-reading ability."

Camp is always the highlight of my year and I am really looking forward to it this year, especially as I sit here in a blizzard. 

This rest of the year consisted of three more muster trips for me a my friends. We went to The Deep River Ancient Muster (DRAM) right after camp, the Westbrook Muster, The Sudbury muster, and concluded the season with the Moodus Muster.

One month into the new year, I am extremely excited for what there is in-store. I am once again going to be in the Boston Massacre, only in a different role (What could that be?!?!), I plan on going to camp again (this year I'm going to try for the advanced musician section) and, My fife and Drum Corps (MC4HFD) is planning on going to Colonial Williamsburg to participate in the tenth annual Drummers Call festivities.

I'll sign off now but check back soon to see what sewing projects I have been working on and how I am doing as a commissioned tailor.

-Nick J.

Road Trip to Michigan

A couple of weekends ago, The Middlesex County 4H Fifes and Drums had the privilege to travel to Michigan for this years National Muster. Not all of us could make the trip because of other commitments but we were able to take a motley crew of three drums and four fifes with one guidon. While we were there we got a lot of bonding time from swimming in the pool and lounging in the jacuzzi, or eating pizza at midnight in the lobby one night and buffalo chicken the next. Our performance was good too. We had two people as acting fife sergeant and, for the most part, they did outstanding. As seen in the picture above, Mark Logsdon,  the drum major for 1st Michigan, presented us with an engraved plate. What was really special, is that he kept it secret from everybody, event the people in his own corps. We also played a song that is really special to 1st Michigan and 4H, The Sweetness of Mary.

From their website: "This is dedicated to Mary Logsdon, wife of Mark, co-founder of the Corps, and mom to many of us. It was found and recorded by friends of ours from Massachusetts, the Middlesex County Volunteers. They allowed us to “steal” the arrangement, and we’ve performed it with them on several occasions in their home state."

We have done this before.


Michigan was a really special experience and I hope that 4H as many others like it.

Post Numero Uno

And the blogging has begun! On this blog I post about different projects that I am doing, as-well as post about major events I attend. Pictured above from left to right is a 1778 French contract waistcoat, wool, civilian breeches, unlined civilian waistcoat, Benjamin Warner knapsack, linen shirt, and Russia drill gaitored-trousers.