Preserving America's Musical Heritage
the Whitehall Guard
Fife & Drum Corps
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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(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 composes, arranges and produces music in many genres, with instrumentation ranging from solo instrumental pieces to full orchestration, big band, and various large ensembles.
In 2021 Connor published two 12-track solo albums of his arrangements, titled 'Noon' and 'Midnight', which can be streamed free - visit https://www.connorapurcell.com/music for links, or search your preferred music streaming platform by Artist for 'Connor A. Purcell'.
In addition to being a musical composer, arranger, producer and performer, Connor is an accomplished visual artist, product designer, game developer and software engineer.
Explore Connor's Original Artworks, Graphic & Product Designs, Optical Illusions, Psychedelia, Games, Software, Musical Productions and various other creative endeavors at: https://www.connorapurcell.com
Contact cpurcellartwork@gmail.com to inquire about potential collaborative endeavors or custom creations.
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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 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