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01/22/2016 10:02 AMIf you're between the ages of 18 to 55 and looking to join a local marching band, the Second Company Governor's Foot Guard wants you.
Chartered in 1775 and based in New Haven until 2009, the Foot Guard moved to its new home in the Branford Armory in 2009. Since then, its band has been losing musicians from the state's further reaches, due to the added travel distance.
But, as the song says, the band must play on. Second Co.'s field music (Fife & Drum Corps) and marching band play not only at the pleasure of the Governor of Connecticut, but add musical pomp, historical red uniforms and prominent bearskin caps to many important parades, near and far.
Northford resident Peter Jenkin served as the company's 64th Commandant and has been asked by the current Commandant (Branford resident Richard Greenalch, Jr.) to oversee the resurgence of the band.
"Just like the Marines said they need a few good men, we need a few good musicians," said Jenkin, adding women are welcome to join in, too. "We really need to build it up with people from the shoreline towns; and they don't have to be terrific musicians, because we practice every week and we'll make them better."
Second Co. Foot Guard's authorized to mount a 28-member band and a 28-member Fife and Drum Corps. The band drills Monday nights from 7 p.m. – 9 p.m. at the Armory at the corner of South Montowese Street and Pine Orchard Road. .
But before you grab that brass or woodwind out of the attic and show up next Monday, an important caveat: to join the band, you need to enlist in the Foot Guard.
"When you join the Foot Guard, you have joined the state organized militia. When we are doing a parade, you are under military orders to report and appear," said Jenkin, adding, "...the militia reports to the Adjutant General, and it is possible we could be called out on active duty to back up the National Guard; but we can't be sent out of state. The last time it happened was Hurricane Katrina. When they sent a lot of national guards out of state to help out, they called us. I had 16 guys who made themselves available at state armory up in Hartford answering phones and filling in other areas."
All members of the Foot Guard are volunteers. The enlistment is open-ended, "...so after a few years, you can resign and turn in your uniform," Jenkin said.
The Foot Guard's elaborate, red-jacketed uniforms and sky-high bearskin caps are provided by the state. Those who join a Field Music unit enjoy a few extra perks, too. Member assessments (fees) to cover special events must be contributed by regular members whether attending or not. Musicians pay the fee only if they attend the function.
In addition, "...the Foot Guard recognizes the skill and contribution of musicians in a couple of ways," Jenkin said. "Musicians do not have to pay dues and go in as Private First Class. The average guy who joins the Infantry pays dues and goes in as a Private."
There are opportunities to go up in rank -- Jenkin enlisted in 1977 as a member of the Rifle Team, coming in as a private – and is now a Retired Lt. Colonel. Jenkin is on the Foot Guard's Honorary Staff and still Rifle Team Captain.
Perks aside, becoming a Foot Guard musician requires stamina and commitment.
"What's happening is people are coming in thinking we're a band that just plays concerts. The most important thing is to be ready, willing and able to march in seven parades a year," Jenkin said.
Parades are spread out in the calendar and include some memorable occasions such as the Governor's Inaugural Parade (once every four years) and the annual Greater New Haven St. Patrick's Day Parade.
When the company's marching band is at full capacity, the band will play a couple of concerts each year, as well. The band plays military marching music and traditional marches a la John Phillip Sousa, "...just like any school band," Jenkin said.
The Second Co. Foot Guard Infantry drills every Monday night in Branford, when the drill for the company's musicians is rehearsal.
"The reason the Foot Guard has a band is to provide music for the Foot Guard's Infantry Unit on parade. Right now, a lot of people in the band are elderly and can't march in parades, so we especially need members between that ages of 18 to 55 who are capable of marching."
While most musicians play their own instruments, the Foot Guard has some of the less typical to provide to players, he added.
"Not everybody has snare drums, bass drums, tubas and Sousaphones. We have some of those big instruments."
The 2nd Co. Governor's Foot Guard currently has about 80 members and includes some who live as far away as Niantic. It's a dedicated, tight-knit group, said Jenkin.
"It's a big commitment, but there's a lot of reward to it, too; another part is the camaraderie. As I tell people, I feel like I have 80 brothers and sisters," he said.
Jenkin invites anyone interested in joining in to give him a call, "...or wander into the Armory on a Monday night. We'll be there practicing," he said.
For more information, contact Peter Jenkin at (203) 234-7794.