The words of founding parent Eileen Mulgrew in regards to the formation of what would eventually become the Young Colonials:
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The corps started out with very little musical ability and their military bearing was non-existant. There were, however, two extremely important factors present from the very beginning - the complete enthusiasm of the children and the dedicated direction by Mr. Fitzgerald and Mr. Mangen.
With a heavy parade schedule facing the corps, the impossible had to be accomplished - recruiting, training and outfitting a new fife & drum corps in less than four months! The target date for the first outing of the infant corps was April 28, 1973 in Cold Spring, NY: The annual Loyalty Day Parade in Putnam County. Recruiting went very well and within one month there was a membership of approximately 45. None of the new members had ever played these instruments before. Most had never played any instrument and most could not read music. Practice was held on Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. The corps grew in number and ability through much dedication and hard work. |
In late March 1973, the first official meeting between the Band Master and the parents of corps members was held. The parents agreed to purchase what would serve as first year uniforms for the corps - - - white shirt, maroon pants with blue and white stripe down leg, black shoes, socks and a belt. A black tri-cornered hat was obtained for each corps member from a novelty store. The LCFD Ancient Fife & Drum corps was now a "uniformed" musical corps.
Loyalty day, April 28, 1973 arrived and the corps knew 5 musical numbers. They arrived at the firehouse early to board the bus to Cold Spring. They were very proud of their uniforms and of themselves. They were also very 'nervous' as were their parents and, although it was never admitted, the directors. The corps went out on their first parade and it was a "disaster". They were unable to maintain the same beat for the music and the street beat which was played between each number. The firemen were unable to march to the beat, having to change pace during and in between each number. To make matters worse, |
they finished a number and went into the street beat just as their fire department was passing the reviewing stand. Needless to say, LCFD came away from the 1973 parade season opener empty-handed.
The next scheduled parades were Memorial Day weekend. On the Sunday, the corps would march in Lake Carmel, then on Monday they would travel to Forest Hills, NY for their first paid parade. The directors had one month to correct all the major problems in the beat. Many changes were made and the corps absorbed the corrections quickly. When Memorial Day arrived, they were not the same frightened beginners of the previous parade. On Monday of Memorial Day weekend the corps was ready to travel to Forest Hills. It was a day of pouring rain and high winds. Parades and ceremonies all over were being cancelled, however there was no word from the parade committee of Forest Hills or from the American Legion Post that had hired the corps. The LCFD Ancient Fife & Drum Corps was the only musical unit to show up and play for any parade in all of New York City. |