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About the Corps

The Whitehall Guard Fife & Drum Corps was founded by brothers Corey and Connor Purcell in 2008, debuting at the Westbrook Fife & Drum Muster in Connecticut. Performing for Military Ceremonies, Living History Presentations, Reenactments, Parades, Family Reunions, Festivals, Community Events and more, the corps is a not-for-profit group that educates and entertains people of all ages with the Ancient Musical Art of Martial Fife and Drum.
 

Request to have the corps play at your event by contacting Kenneth Purcell at:

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celtiken@gmail.com
 

(610) 360-0719
 

3437 MacArthur Rd.

Whitehall, PA 18052

Member Biographies

Connor A. Purcell - Fife Sergeant

Connor is an advanced level fifer who also arranges, transcribes and composes music for the fife. He also plays Irish flute, tin whistles, tenor guitar, bass guitar, bouzouki, mandolin, and rudimental bass drum. He has considerable performing experience in symphonic concert band, marching band, jazz big band, percussion ensemble and has performed and recorded Irish, maritime, Civil War era, patriotic and novelty music with many groups & ensembles. In 2010, Connor won the Northeastern Championships for Fife, receiving the John McDonagh award for highest placing junior fife while achieving a record-breaking score of 189 (of 200) by performing his original composition 'Dark River Hornpipe'.

Connor also produces musical tracks spanning many genres and featuring a wide range of instruments. He released two 12-track solo albums of his arrangements in 2021, which can be enjoyed free on all major streaming platforms - links can be found at
https://www.capartwork.com/music or by searching for 'Connor A. Purcell' on your preferred music service.

In addition to his various musical endeavours, Connor is also an accomplished visual artist, designer, and software developer. His portfolio can be viewed on his website -
https://www.capartwork.com - where you can also play his games, listen to his music, and discover his many product designs, which can also be explored and purchased from his Society6 portfolio at https://www.society6.com/capartwork

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Geoff Ader - Drum Sergeant

Geoff is an advanced level snare drummer who has been playing rudimental snare drum since he was 8 years old. Geoff started drumming in Sudbury, Mass. where his father was a revolutionary war reenactor.
In order to continue the tradition of celebrating our history, Geoff decided he would learn to play the snare drum in order to reenact. When his family moved to Connecticut, Geoff Joined the Col. John Chester Fife and Drum Corps where Geoff earned the roll of Drum Sergeant.
Geoff has also played in Fort Henry in Kingston Ontario and has been invited to drum there every summer since he was 9 years old. One of the top rudimental Snare Drummers in the region, Geoff's Drumming career has lead him to play internationally for over 10 years, and nationally for over 11 years.

Recent News

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The Whitehall Guard has recently appeared on Bobby Flay's 'Throwdown' on the Food Network! Check out the pictures in the gallery.

See Connor Purcell in the Morning Call Newspaper!

http://www.mcall.com/entertainment/music/mc-fife-boy1231-20101230,0,2992699.story

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