GET IN touch with the westbtook drum corps
P.O. Box 269, Westbrook, CT, 06498
The Westbrook Drum Corps
The Westbrook Drum Corps was founded in 1910 and celebrates their 115th Anniversary in 2025. The corps performs year-round throughout New England, and is proud to host one of the largest musters in the world every August.
Why Join?
Joining the Westbrook Drum Corps offers a unique experience of music, history, and community. You’ll perform in Revolutionary-style uniforms, preserve tradition, and participate in the renowned Westbrook Muster, all with guidance from skilled instructors.
Typical Commitment
The Westbrook Drum Corps performs ~25 times annually across New England, from March's St. Patrick's Day Parades to December's Holiday Parades. Members enjoy events beyond performances, including happy hours and community outings. No membership fees are required, and most equipment is provided.
How to Join
The Westbrook Drum Corps rehearses Tuesday evenings starting at 7pm inside their Corps House located on the Westbrook Town Green (1196 Boston Post Rd, Westbrook, CT 06498, Garden Level). Come give us a visit or contact us to learn more!
Additional Info
New members begin by marching with the color guard while learning their instrument, ensuring immediate participation and experience. The corps boasts a diverse repertoire, including parade tunes, Irish selections, Christmas songs, and Westbrook Specialties.
"I decided to join and the members were so welcoming. As the years go on, I'm still learning and continue to meet great people."
- Pauline Golden, Bass Drum
"I enjoy the music and traditions of fife and drum; the reactions of the crowd as we come down the street, flags flying, drums beating."
-John Johl, Color Guard
"I really enjoy the camaraderie of the Westbrook Drum Corps and all of the wonderful people I have met along the way."
-Dodie McGrath, Fife
Our History
The Westbrook Drum Corps of Westbrook, Connecticut was founded in 1910 and has been on the road ever since.
In the winter of 1909-1910, about 20 young men formed the Westbrook Drum Corps, with Louis Pratt of Deep River volunteering to teach them. The corps initially used small drums before acquiring "thunder makers" made by Eli Brown, still in use today. Early tunes included "Bruce's Address," "Road to Boston," and "Yankee Doodle." Soon after, "White Cockade," "Battle Hymn," "Grandfather’s Clock," and more were added.
Early musicians included Ty and George Manstan, John and Chapman Holbrook, Alex Brooks, Gilbert Spencer, Irving Bohling, Charlie Clark, Fred Ames, Charlie Brainard, and Lee Kelsey (fifers) as well as Tom and Luther Bloomfield, John and Bill Mulcair, "Happy" Burham, Russell Stokes, Bill Boone, Paul Post, Al Foerch, John Doane, Evelyn Wright, Robert Morgan, and Frank Palm (drummers). Bill McCoombs, Paul Hoxsie (fifers), Albert Palm, Henry Wilcox, and Richard Gustafson (drummers) later joined. The first drum major was William Wilcox, succeeded by Frank Hill and Stanley Griswold.
The first officers, elected on February 6, 1910, were Russell A. Stokes as President, Robert R. Morgan as Vice President, and Charles C. Clark as Secretary & Treasurer. Members contributed five cents each for hall rent and thirty-five cents weekly for dues.
The Corps has earned two silver cups for best parade appearance: the first in New Haven in 1917 and the second in Bridgeport in 1921. The corps continued to win awards over the years, including Best Musical Unit at the 2018 Hartford St. Patrick's Day Parade.
The Corps has hosted the National Muster of Fife and Drum Corps three times: in 1976, 1990, and most recently in 2010 (for their 100th anniversary, co-hosted with Moodus Drum & Fife Corps).
The Corps celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1960. On August 14th & 15th, 1970, the corps 60th anniversary was celebrated. To help make this occasion memorable, Governor Dempsey proclaimed August 15th, 1970 "Westbrook Ancient Muster Day." And to give the occasion greater distinction, the President's honor guard, the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps participated in the event. The Old Guard remains friends with the Westbrook Drum Corps and makes regular appearances at the annual Westbrook Muster.
The current Westbrook Drum Corps, with around 20 members, actively performs throughout New England in authentic Revolutionary-style uniforms. Despite the cancellation of the 2020 Westbrook Muster due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the corps hosted a Virtual Muster to keep the tradition alive. The corps celebrates their 115th Anniversary in 2025 and is actively recruiting new members and refurbishing original equipment to ensure continued success for years to come.