Windsor Fife & Drum Corps Honors Late Founder in Annual Muster

The Windsor Fife and Drum Corps was joined by similar groups from New York, Rhode Island and throughout the immediate region when it recently held its annual muster on the Windsor town green.

Meant to celebrate and honor tradition and musical heritage established in the 18th century, Windsor Fife and Drum has organized the muster for over 20 years, but their recent muster carried a special meaning; the annual event was used to honor the group's late director and co-founder, Fran Dillon, whose untimely passing this past February shook the Corps and those familiar with his community contributions to their core.

In total, 15 fife and drum groups paraded up Broad Street and to the town portico, filling the estival September air with the sounds of snares, fifes and gun fire. Held annually in Windsor Center, the muster is an occasion of celebration and an opportunity to gather for the groups, who relish in the musical experience and ability to keep 18th century traditions alive.

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Because the event was also used to honor Dillon it drew a greater crowd and number of participating groups, according to Dillon's oldest daughter, Kathy Bouquet, who described it as the largest muster she's seen in some time.

Bouquet, who has assumed the position of Windsor Fife and Drum Corps director since her father's passing, delivered an address to the crowd, detailing his hard work, dedication and love for the fife and drum corps and Windsor (see included video).

The Windsor Fife and Drum Corps also played "Amazing Grace" as a part of their tribute to Dillon.