Allow me to set the scene a little. 

I'm a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Saratoga Battle Chapter, an enthusiast of American History and a staunch patriot.I have this company and do what I do because the tradition and history of the fife, especially as it relates to American History, is something I wish to contribute to and do what I can to keep alive.  To sum this up; this is for the love of the instrument. 

Over 14 years ago I tried out for the Fort Ticonderoga Fife and Drum Corps where I meet my first fife, a gift from the Executive Director.  I didn't make the Corps, but I feel in love with the fife, a larger bore rosewood model.  At that point in my life I didn't take the relationship seriously and over the years it wound up moving from drawer to drawer only occasionally coming out to play; but every time I picked it up it felt good.  More recently, my father and younger brother joined a more relaxed fife and drum corps (Green Mountain Fife and Drum) and being able to play with others rekindled the fire more so than ever. 

One night I had the idea that perhaps I should try to make one.  So I grabbed a piece of 1/2" copper pipe that was laying around, cut it to length, drilled some very sloppy finger holes and stuffed a cork in the end and in about 30 minutes I had a copper fife that played as nice as my rosewood...perhaps a bit nicer.  That was the easy part.  Now I wanted to make one from wood that didn't look like someone shot the water line.  I spent countless hours researching materials, tools, designs (not easy to find), and physics of music to try to figure out where to start.  A couple things were obvious.  For the not-so-obvious issues I reached out to anyone who would listen.  To my surprise, and with no delay, I received a response.  A very patient man from Connecticut spent quite a bit of time sharing thoughts, ideas, tips, and other general guidance.  If it were not for him, I'd still be in the shop with a pile of broken tools and exotic firewood.  Thank you Ron Peeler (www.peelerfifes.com).

All the research and trial and error payed off to a degree in that I figured out a way to treat the bore of the instrument making it remarkably easy to play.  I'm not going to spout off on that; try one for yourself.  Either way, I enjoy what I do and I give every bit of myself to each fife I create.  Sometimes a bit neglectful to my family; thankfully, I have a patient and supportive wife and a wonderful daughter.

...

 - My girls -



That's me, on the far right.


Glens Falls Fife at Crown Point for the French and Indian War