Fifes and Drums of the Third New Jersey
"The drum beat in the morning
Before the break of day
The small wee fife played loud and clear
While yet the morn was grey"
 -verse from an old Irish ballad








A new batch of the first recording of the Fifes and Drums of the 3rd New Jersey has been made, and are now for sale. The tape includes "Frog in the Well", "Hell on the Wabash", "Empty Pockets", as well as those featured as sound clips, and many more.

Fill out the order form here

Members of the Fifes and Drums

Drums
  • Chris St. Peter
  • Brian Steffey
  • John St. Peter (bass)
  • Ray Calvino
Fifes
  • Amii Lakomiak
  • Pete Puccia
  • Jason Wickersty

Listen to the Fifes and Drums of the 3rd NJ
Musicians of the 61st New York Infantry at rest Near Falmouth, Va., 1863
The fifes and drums of the 3rd New Jersey were formed in 1994 to not only educate the public, but also to serve as field music for the unit's battalion, The United States Volunteers. Aside from battle re-enactment, members have participated in the Army/Notre Dame halftime show in Giant's Stadium, the annual Preservation March, and the Deep River Fife and Drum Muster in Connecticut
About Fife and Drum Corps

Fifes and drums have been used together for martial duties since the 14th century. It was not until the American Revolution that fife and drum bands were widely organized and used by both sides for field calls and entertainment. Fifes and drums grew to be military necessities during the time between the Revolution and the Civil War. With the firing on Fort Sumter and the start of the Civil War, the mass raising of regiments also called for the need to recruit large numbers of musicians. Schools of instruction were begun on Bedloe's and Governors Islands in New York Harbor for field musicians of the Army of the Potomac. The training was rigorous, as each fifer and drummer was required to know and perform the numerous duties and calls from memory. Ray Calvino When in the field, each company was assigned 1 fifer and 1 drummer. Therefore, a regiment of 10 companies had a band of 10 fifers and 10 drummers, led by a drum major. Musicians received higher pay than the regular rifleman, $21 dollars per month, but their job wasn't all filled with performance. Many drummers followed units onto the battlefield, beating out cadences and signals to fire, cease fire, charge, etc., since it was nearly impossible to hear an officers voice over the din of battle. When the fighting was done, the music would be attached to the hospital corps, helping with the grim task of gathering the dead and wounded, and assisting doctors at work.
About the Instruments
Drums
The Drums used by musicians of the Civil War were rope tension, unlike the modern rod tension. They were also larger and deeper, which allowed more of a roar which could be heard over large distances and over tremendous noise- perfect for a battlefield. Standard field drums were 16" in diameter, and 12" in depth. The heads were calfskin, and the snares were animal gut. The shells were made of ash, and were usually painted to signify the branch of service- blue for infantry, red for artillery, etc., and sometimes decorated with a patriotic eagle. The counterhoops were painted crimson red.
Fifes

The fifes were six holed, and tuned to B flat. They were usually wood- rosewood or cocobolo being most common, but some metal fifes were used as well. Fifes have a capacity of playing three octaves, but were generally played in the 2nd and 3rd, though the music was written in the first and second octaves.

This Fife and Drum WebRing site owned by Jason Wickersty.
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Questions? Comments? Send a dispatch to the 3rd Reg't., New Jersey Volunteer Infantry