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08/17/2021 12:22 PMStarting Friday, Aug. 27 and running to Sunday, Aug. 29 the annual Westbrook Tattoo and Muster will be rolling back into town. The parade and muster will be held Saturday, Aug. 28.
Originally formed in 1910, The Westbrook Drum Corps consists of about 20 members who dress in authentic Revolutionary-style uniforms and march and play to the beat of a drum corps like the fife and drum corps of the Revolutionary War time.
For more than 60 years, Westbrook has held its annual muster—the term used for when the different corps get together to play medleys. This year, about 40 different corps from all over the East Coast will be in Westbrook to play together.
The event starts on Aug. 27 at 7 p.m. at Ted Lane Field with what is referred to as a tattoo—”It’s like an opening ceremony,” explained Drum Sergeant Ben Hammel.
Historic flags will be displayed and visiting corps will get on stage and play for about 15 minutes.
On Aug. 28 starting at 11 a.m., a parade will kick off at Ted Lane Field, winding through the town center before ending up back at the start. Then each of the corps in attendance will play an approximately a three-minute medley until about 5:30 p.m.
A complete schedule of events can be found at www.westbrookdrumcorps.org. Hammel said the muster will follow all COVID-19 mandates and that interested parties should check the website and the Facebook page at Westbrookdrumcorps for last-minute updates.
Muster Pride
While fife and drum corps can be found all over the country, the majority of the corps are located in the New England area, according to Hammel. Westbrook’s corps has been recognized for its quality. The corps usually participates in 20 to 30 events a year all over Connecticut and New England between St. Patrick’s Day and the holiday season. Some are other musters and some are parade events.
“In Westbrook we have one of the largest musters in New England. We’re very excited,” Hammel said.
While its attendance is still to be determined this year, Hammel said that the highly esteemed U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps is a regular attendee at the Westbrook Muster. In a typical year there is usually 40 to 45 different corps at the Westbrook Muster.
This year some international corps and corps from other parts of the country could not make it due to COVID. There are still 40 different corps anticipated to attend, however.
“Basically, it’s an event where everyone can come together and show each other what they’ve been working on,” said Hammel. “We usually get a pretty good size crowd; parking is always hard to find. You don’t get to see this many groups in one place usually.”
While COVID through a wrench into the plans for the muster in 2020, the group still was able to get by virtually.
“We did a big online event,” said Hammel.
The group took the best performances over the last five years from each of the 40 corps scheduled to preform and created a virtual muster.
“We were very lucky that we have a community member that records every year,” Hammel said.
However, Hammel said the group is excited to be back in person.
“For me, the best part is the start of the parade,” he said.
While all the corps line up, the Westbrook corps gets things started by being the first corps in line and marching through the other corps as a way to strut their stuff and welcome the other corps.
“It’s just great to have everyone in one place like that,” said Hammel.
Hammel said the corps is actively seeking new members. For more information, visit www.westbrookdrumcorps.org.