Patriots Fife & Drum Corps – Green Machine Ensembles

The Fife and Drum corps is standing on a brick stage in an outdoor auditorium on a sunny day. An American flag is on a pole behind them. They are wearing colonial era green and white uniforms and tricorn hats. There are five fife players and seven drummers.

JOIN

The Patriots Fife and Drum Corps is open to Mason students, alumni, and community members alike! If you are interested in joining the corps, please contact the Historical Ensembles Program Manager, Dr. Chris Troiano and/or reference our frequently asked questions page. Undergraduate students can access registration for the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps on PatriotWeb under the ‘Historical Ensembles’ section of MUSI 280.

If you are interested in booking the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps please refer to our frequently asked questions page and/or email the Green Machine at [email protected].

WATCH

ABOUT

Four members of the fife and drum corps are seen close up in this image outside of the performing arts building at the Fairfax GMU campus. From the waist up they are wearing green and white colonial era military uniforms and black tricorn hats. They are mid performance.

The Patriots Fife and Drum Corps was formed in 2012 to fulfill the role of a ceremonial corps for University graduations. Now, the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps performs not only at George Mason University’s Commencements, but also at musters and events all around the Washington, D.C. and greater East Coast region. Additionally, Mason students can receive course credit from participation in the ensemble, which is offered as a 1-credit course at Mason.

The unique character of George Mason University is in no small part due to its location. We are privileged to be in proximity to both our nationʼs historical bedrock as well as its vigorous epicenter. The intent of building a ceremonial corps is to enhance our connection to and participation in the wealth of active public life that continuously unfolds around us. Ceremonial traditions are simultaneously the keepers of our cultural memory and the means of furthering our public discourse. Music and pageantry are deeply embedded in these ceremonial traditions.

Four colonial era snare drums are stacked in this image in a pyramid formation close up. They are rope drums with green rims and the GMU seal prominently displayed on the sides.

In May 2019, the Patriots Fife and Drum Corps received a beautiful set of hand-painted snare drums. We would like to thank Loyal Drums, Brooke Stevens, and all our donors for their help in making this possible!

CONNECT

Email the Green Machine at [email protected].