Below are useful links to see what MCV looks like and how we sound.
Audio Samples
15th Massachusetts Quickstep |
Yankee Doodle |
Rakes, Lords & Idiots |
Pretty Polly |
Green Apple Quickstep (excerpt from Track 2). Composed by J. Law & W. Phenix |
Mulqueeny’s Hornpipe (excerpt from Track 3). Traditional, arranged J. Ciaglia |
Middlesex County Volunteers Media Information
Members of the Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums (MCV) had the distinct honor of performing at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in August 2007. This marked the first fife and drum corps to ever perform at the fifty-seven year-old event, and the first avocational group from the United States. Previous U.S. representations – thirteen in the history of the event – have been either military or university ensembles. Since then, MCV has appeared at the 2009, 2015 and 2024 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the 2010 Edinburgh Military Tattoo’s Salute to Australia, the 2011 Sweden International Tatoo and the 2012 Basel Tattoo. MCV returned to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in 2018 and was extremely well received.
Dressed in the 1779 uniform of the Continental Army, the group’s music spans over seven centuries. The group performs an average of 25 times a year, and has produced eight full-length recordings. Often seen as the image of Boston, MCV highlights Boston’s annual Harborfest celebration, and has performed with the Boston Pops at their July 4th Esplanade concert (most recently in 2022), the Holiday at Pops concert series at Symphony Hall, as well as at Tanglewood and other high profile concerts. Fifers from MCV were guest artists on the Boston Pops tribute to John Williams CD, released in June 2017.
Founded in 1982, Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2022.
This intriguing story can be told in several ways. It is:
- the story of American’s past history, through the image, music and dedication to the country’s earliest citizens.
- the story of America’s present , a diverse group of individuals with a common goal, working together to perform in an international arena.
- the story of America’s future, designing a national – and international – collaboration within its vast membership breaking geographic boundaries.
Photo Samples:
Download Zip file of web-friendly images for use in publicity (please credit Matthew Lug).
Videos:
MCV in the 2024 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada:
MCV in the 2018 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh, Scotland:
MCV in the 2015 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada:
MCV performing at the 2012 Basel Tattoo, Basel, Switzerland:
MCV performing at Boston Harborfest