Who is MCV?

The Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums (MCV) was established in 1982 toward the close of the U.S. Bicentennial by Boston-area musicians who wished to further explore the traditional repertoires of the regimental fife and drum corps associated with the European or American armies during the American War for Independence, 1775-1783. Today we have evolved into a repertory ensemble performing martial, dance, and folk music drawn from 17th, 18th, and early 19th century sources in America and Europe.

Ultimately, MCV is about history and music, education and entertainment.

Through our dress, bearing, musical performance and spirit, we strive to offer an inspirational experience to our audiences and students. We hope that by encouraging the individual to consider our past, we can better prepare them for the future.

Members range in age and vocation from 16 up, students to aerospace engineers, school teachers to truck drivers. All participate on an avocational basis, balancing "real life" with twice-weekly rehearsals and over sixty performances yearly, and share a common love for music and performance. MCV is a registered federal 501(C)(3) not-for-profit organization, and we support our activities strictly through grants, donations, and performance fees.

 

Our Music

Although fifes and drums were first used to signal troop movements during combat and camp activities, their music also became popular as entertainment. Handel, Haydn, and Beethoven wrote pieces specifically for fifes and drums, and field musicians frequently gave public concerts outside their garrisons. By the mid 19th century, community-based fife and drum corps had become a New England tradition that thrives to this day. Our repertoire is mainly drawn from sources predating 1800, and includes marches, dances, and airs, originating on the Continent as well as the United Kingdom and North America.

 

Our Uniforms

MCV's crisp formal appearance has become as well known as our music. In honor of the significant contributions made by New England troops during America's War for Independence, MCV is uniformed according to the U.S. Continental Army's clothing warrants of 1779. For the New England regiments, these specified a blue coat with white lapels and cuffs ("facings"), white trousers, and waistcoats. European tradition recognized the drummers' and fifers' special status as signalers and non-combatants by providing distinctive dress, usually by reversing the colors of the regiment in the musicians' coats. The Continental Army followed suit, and so MCV appears in an appropriate livery of the New England musicians comprising white coats with blue facings, white trousers, and colored waistcoats, white powdered wigs, and black cocked hats.

Our Achievements

We have performed extensively throughout Boston, New England, and the eastern United States at historic sites and town celebrations, and frequently perform at state functions welcoming foreign dignitaries. We have performed with John Williams and Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra for the July 4 evening programs before a half a million spectators and millons of TV viewers throughout the world. We have produced seven recordings including our latest two, "In America "; and our holiday CD "On Christmas Day".

2005 found us featured at the Yshalle Tattoo in Basel, Switzerland, sponsored by Basel Tattoo Productions. 2006 saw us returning to Switzerland for a country-wide concert tour and capping the year off with three performances with the Boston Pops during their Holiday at Pops series. 2007 has been an auspicious year (see Our Future section below), and just recently MCV performed with the Boston Pops Esplanade Orchestra during the annual Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular, on 3rd and 4th of July.

Our Future

2007 marked our 25th anniversary year and what better way to celebrate than to appear at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Our overseas appearances for the future will be announced in early 2008.

Closer to home, we perform at many parades, festivals and Fife & Drum musters throughout New England. See our calendar for where you can find us next.