Brandywine Colonials
Fife and Drum Corps
About Us
Who We Are
The Brandywine Colonials Fife and Drum Corps is a 501(c)3 nonprofit educational organization located in Topton, Pennsylvania. It primarily serves the Pennsylvania counties of Berks, Lehigh, Northampton, Montgomery and Bucks and also regional historic sites related to the American Revolution. Most of the current members were members of the Brandywine Heights high school fife and drum corps but anyone over 14 can join.
A fife and drum corps is a musical ensemble consisting of fifes (wooden flute) and rope tension drums. During the Revolutionary War, fifers and drummers were used to communicate and to signal orders. Each company had a fifer and drummer and when a regiment gathered together, the 10 fifers and 10 drummers would form the “fife and drum corps” to march at the head of the column on parade. Musicians would wear the opposite colored uniforms of fighting soldiers so they could easily be found by commanding officers and identified as noncombatants. This is why Revolutionary War themed fife and drum corps are often confused as the British because their coats are red instead of blue. Our corps consists of fifers, drummers and an honor guard that carries historical flags from the Revolutionary War.
A Visionary's Idea for Something Truly Special
In 1988, Brandywine Heights Band director Steve Schwoyer made the decision to style the Brandywine Heights high school band in a Revolutionary War theme after seeing the Williamsburg Fife and Drum Corps. At the time, the band had a surplus of flute players, so it made sense to organize a fife and drum corps. Additionally, the Revolutionary War theme paired well with the school’s name as Brandywine was a significant battle that took place outside of Philadelphia. The Brandywine Heights marching band was unique and indeed special because of its Revolutionary War style uniforms and fife and drum corps.
Proud Traditions for a Small Community
Over the years, Steve Schwoyer continued to build on the Revolutionary War and patriotic theme to create an organization and program with rich traditions. Steve Schwoyer’s organization had a profound impact on his students and community up until his retirement in 2006 and beyond. Sadly, Brandywine has not had a fife and drum corps for almost ten years. Yes, change is inevitable, but traditions are what creates a rich culture in communities. Without the Revolutionary War theme and fife and drum corps, the Brandywine Heights high school band would have just been another high school band.
“Some things that should not have been forgotten were lost. History became legend. Legend became myth."
Galadriel, The Fellowship of the Ring
Revive the tradition. Rebuild the corps. Rekindle the pride.
At the Topton Halloween parade in October 2024, our President, Steve Meitzler watched the Brandywine Heights high school band march by without a fife and drum corps. Steve was a Drum Captain in the BHHS Fife and Drum Corps and would not allow this tradition to die. Immediately he felt the duty, a sacred calling: “Revive the tradition. Rebuild the corps. Rekindle the pride." The idea to start an alumni fife and drum corps would become the Brandywine Colonials. The Brandywine Heights fife and drum corps was one of the most special things many of our alumni ever participated in. We believe Steve Schwoyer created a program that is worth holding on to. When Steve Meitzler recruited our Vice President, Joshua Fink, they met for lunch in late October. Joshua told Steve that if they would be able to recruit enough people, outfit them with instruments and uniforms, organize as a 501(c)3 nonprofit and become performance ready in time for the Topton Halloween parade in 2025, it would be a Herculean effort...We did it in seven months!
A Musical Family That Defined a Generation
At one practice, we were moved by the reaction of one of our former band parents as she watched us play. It made us realize that our corps is so much more than our group or ourselves. This fife and drum corps and its music were so special and a symbol of pride to so many in our community. We want to honor the legacy of Steve Schwoyer by revitalizing and preserving the beloved traditions of the Brandywine Heights Fife and Drum Corps.
Eyes With Pride!
Our Vison
To preserve the traditions of the Brandywine Heights Fife and Drum Corps that were created by its founding director, Steve “Schwo” Schwoyer in 1988.
Our Mission
Honor the Past. Inspire the Present.
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Preserve and promote the historical and patriotic tradition of fife and drum music, with a focus on colonial and early American musical heritage.
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Provide educational opportunities for members and the public in music performance, history, and cultural appreciation through workshops, performances, and community outreach.
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Foster community engagement through public performances, parades, and participation in historical events.
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Support the development of musical skills among members of all ages, particularly youth, in Topton PA, and surrounding areas.
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Celebrate the memories and experiences of alumni during their time in the Brandywine Heights Fife & Drum Corps.
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Support the Company of Fifers and Drummers.
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Provide Brandywine Colonials members with a friendly, family community.
Our Logo
“Schwoyer's Own"
Our logo is an homage to the Brandywine Heights High School Band logo from which many of our members were alumni in the fife and drum corps. The coat of arms incorporates elements from the Pennsylvania flag to honor our state. The Pennsylvania flag wasn't adopted until the early 20th century, but the seal of Pennsylvania on the flag was authorized in 1777. This helps to tie our logo to our Revolutionary War theme.
“Schwoyer's Own" honors Steve Schwoyer who founded the BHHS fife and drum corps in 1988. The name “Schwoyer's Own" was inspired by military bands or groups such as The “President's Own," the US Marine Corps Band, “The Commandant's Own," the US Marine Drum & Bugle Corps, “Pershing's Own," the US Army Band, or “Patton's Own," the US Third Army. Though the Brandywine Colonials was officially established in 2025, many of our members are alumni of the BHHS fife and drum corps and we carry on the tradition of that corps which is why we say our current corps was established in 1988.
