Our History

The William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps is designed to promote the study of both music and history among young people in Eastern Massachusetts, to perpetuate the traditions of fife and drum music, and to foster the spirit of fellowship among Americans through music. This program is a wonderful, fulfilling experience for young people that cannot be truly explained in words. Every time these young people perform, the hearts of parents, instructors, and spectators just want to explode with pride!

Formed on October 22, 2001 in Lexington, the William Diamond Junior Fife & Drum Corps consists of young people ranging from ages eight to eighteen. We are a teaching Corps, and our members receive a quality music education and an understanding of our great American tradition through music. Several members of the local fife and drum and colonial militia community provide instruction. Parental involvement is a crucial component of our Corps, as we function as a family organization. The William Diamond Juniors have petitioned for and have been granted membership in the Company of Fifers and Drummers, both as individuals and Corps members.

The signature sound of colonial New England is the sound of the six hole wooden fife and the rope tension drum. These are the instruments used by our musicians. Clothing worn by the musicians approximates that worn by persons of yeoman status, living in Lexington in 1775. Because we are a Corps, all musicians dress alike. Both the uniforms and the instruments are provided.

The William Diamond Juniors have performed in numerous ceremonies, parades and musters both near and far. Each year the Corps can be counted on at the Patriot’s Day parade in Lexington, the Boston Tea Party Reenactment, and the Boston First Night New Year’s Eve parade, among other events. Since 2004 the Corps has been invited to travel overseas to perform roughly every two years.

Performance Highlights:

• 2023 - Colonial Williamsburg and Yorktown, VA: Performed at the Drummers Call Weekend with the Fifes & Drums of Colonial Williamsburg and the Fifes & Drums of York Town.

• 2022 - Our fifth trip to Switzerland for the Basel International Tattoo Parade.

• 2019 - Ireland Tour: Invited to perform in Dublin at the Liffey Swim and for the Lord Mayor of Dublin at his residence. Also performed in Waterford at the Spraoi Festival and with the Francis Meagher Flute Band, and in Limerick with the Saint Mary’s Prize Band. View photos from the trip.

• 2018 - Ticonderoga, New York: Weekend in upstate New York performing at Ft. Ticonderoga.

• 2017 - Basel International Tattoo Parade: On our fourth trip to Switzerland, we marched in the Parade, gave a concert at the Roman ruins in Rheinfelden, and paraded and spent the day jamming with the Grainfield Fife and Drum Corps, a fantastic group of Swiss fifers and drummers.

• 2015 - England Tour: Performed at the Brentwood Tattoo with the Brentwood Imperial Youth Band in Essex, UK, at Lord Petre’s estate, Ingatestone Hall. Also played at the American Cemetery in Cambridge, at the Coldstream Guard Barracks in London, and at the Tower of London during the Annual Sea Scout Band Competition.

• 2014 - Colonial Williamsburg: Participated in Drummers Call weekend, a showcase of 18th century military music.

• 2013 - Walt Disney World: Marched in the Grand Parade on Main Street, USA.

• 2012 - Switzerland: Performed at the International Muster in Basel, and the Swiss Drum and Piccolo competition in Liestal.

• 2011 - New York City: Invited to march in the city's St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

In 2020 we were scheduled to return to England for the Brentwood International Military Tattoo, but it was cancelled due to COVID.