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<div><strong>Preserving the Sound of Independence</strong>
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<div><strong>Support the 2026 Deep River Ancient Muster — The National Muster for America’s 250th</strong>
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<div><strong>Anniversary</strong>
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<div>In 2026, the United States marks a milestone unlike any other: the <strong>250th Anniversary of the signing of</strong>
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<div><strong>the Declaration of Independence</strong>. This semiquincentennial is a moment to reflect on the ideals that
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<div>formed our nation—and on the traditions that carried those ideals across battlefields, town greens, and
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<div>generations.
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<div>It is with great pride that the Deep River Ancient Muster has been designated the National Muster of The
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<div>Company of Fifers &amp; Drummers for this historic year. In collaboration with the Town of Deep River, we
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<div>are preparing to host one of the largest and most significant musters in modern history, honoring
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<div>America’s founding through the music that helped define it.
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<div><strong>The Music of the American Revolution</strong>
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<div>During the Revolutionary War, fife and drum music was the voice of the army calling soldiers to
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<div>assemble, signaling commands, and lifting spirits in moments of uncertainty. Long before radios or
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<div>written orders, these instruments carried the rhythm of independence.
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<div>The earliest recorded gathering of fife and drummers in Deep River dates to May 13, 1879, when
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<div>musicians assembled for a field day to honor the history of fife and drum music in the American
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<div>Revolution. That spirit of remembrance and celebration laid the foundation for what would become the
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<div>world’s most renowned muster.
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<div><strong>The Granddaddy of All Musters</strong>
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<div>The first gathering officially known as the Deep River Ancient Muster took place on September 5, 1953,
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<div>when 15 corps gathered in Connecticut to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Deep River Drum Corps.
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<div>Since that day, the muster has grown into the largest gathering of ancient fife and drum musicians in the
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<div>world.
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<div>In 1976, during America’s Bicentennial, the Deep River Ancient Muster set a record that was recognized
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<div>by the Guinness Book of World Records, cementing its reputation as the “granddaddy of all
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<div>musters.” Every year since 1953, corps from across the United States and around the world have traveled
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<div>to Deep River to take part in this living history.
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<div><strong>A Living Tradition, Handed Down Through Generations</strong>
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<div>This tradition has been enthusiastically passed from generation to generation, ensuring that the music of
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<div>America’s founding era continues to be played, taught, and shared.
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<div>Every third Saturday in July, the piercing call of wooden fifes and the thunderous beat of rope-tension
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<div>snare and bass drums echo through the town of Deep River.
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<div>The weekend begins Friday evening with a ceremonial Tattoo, hosted by the Deep River Junior Ancient
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<div>Fife and Drum Corps, featuring five performing Corps, followed by a Circle of Friendship and a Jam
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<div>session.
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<div>On Saturday, thousands of spectators line Main Street seated on blankets and chairs as traditionally
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<div>dressed men, women, and children march past—representing corps from across the nation and the world.
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<div>These are civilian musicians, preserving the skills and music that once rallied Revolutionary soldiers.
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<div>Have you ever seen the <strong>Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps</strong>, part of the United States Army’s Presidential
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<div>Escort Division? In certain years they, too march down Main Street in Deep River, standing shoulder to
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<div>shoulder with civilian corps in a remarkable tribute to our shared military and civilian heritage.
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<div>After the parade, the celebration continues at Devitt Field, where the atmosphere feels like a colonial
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<div>Woodstock. Corps perform on stand, showcasing distinct musical styles rooted in history along with a
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<div>few examples demonstrating modern influences. Spectators reconnect with old friends, make new ones,
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<div>and experience the music up close. Many even take a moment to try their own hand at fife or drum,
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<div>ensuring the tradition continues.
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<div><strong>Who Hosts the Muster</strong>
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<div>The Deep River Ancient Muster is organized by the Deep River Ancient Muster Committee, part of Deep
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<div>River Ancient Muster Incorporated. It is not sponsored by any single corps.
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<div>Our committee is made up entirely of dedicated volunteers from across the country including
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<div>Connecticut, Michigan, Florida, Indiana, and beyond who work year-round to bring this extraordinary
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<div>event to life.
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<div><strong>Why We Need Your Support</strong>
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<div>Hosting the National Muster during America’s 250th Anniversary is a tremendous honor and a substantial
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<div>responsibility. The costs to produce an event of this scale include:
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<div>• Field rental and weekend-long maintenance
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<div>• Permits
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<div>• Muster meals for participating corps
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<div>• Honorary Plaques
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<div>• Ribbons for all attending corps
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<div>• Porta-potties and hand sanitization stations
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<div>• Line painting and fire safety markings
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<div>• Dumpster rentals and waste management
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<div>• Numerous essential supplies, down to garbage bags for bins
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<div>Every donation helps ensure that this historic celebration remains free, accessible, and authentic, honoring
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<div>the legacy of the music that helped give birth to our nation.
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<div><strong>Help Us Keep the Sound of Independence Alive</strong>
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