Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums of Lone Star College-Montgomery to lead The Woodlands Fourth of July parade

THE WOODLANDS, TX -- Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums of Lone Star College-Montgomery has been selected to lead the Fourth of July Parade through Market Street in The Woodlands helping to celebrate the 250^th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence.

“I am filled with gratitude, said Craig Livingston, Ph.D., professor of History and director of Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums. “The students marching this year and those who have marched with Lord Stirling's Brigade in years past have given me much more than I've given them.”

Livingston, who came to LSC-Montgomery as a founding faculty member in 1995, teaches American and military history.

Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums of LSC-Montgomery maintains the musical heritage of 18^th century America. At the 1776 Battle of Long Island, 256 Marylanders fell while covering the retreat of General Washinton's army to Brooklyn. The Regiment was known ever after as "The Immortals." Lord Stirling (William Alexander) commanded the brigade in which the 1st Maryland Regiment fought. Stirling was captured but later exchanged in a POW exchange and served Washington loyally to the end of the war.

“I saw my first fife and drum corps on the front lawn of George Washington’s home at Mount Vernon, Virginia, when I was six years old,” said Livingston. “I will never forget the sound of those fifes against the rolling beat of the drums. Though just a little boy, I sensed I was seeing and feeling the past. At LSC-Montgomery I saw my chance and won an LSC mini-grant to buy 4 rope-tension drums and 6 fifes.”

The Woodlands Fourth of July Parade begins at 9 a.m. and will pass through Market Street and beside Town Green Park. In addition to the Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums of LSC-Montgomery, the 1.3-mile parade will feature floats, fire engines, marching bands and more. Learn more at VisitTheWoodlands.com.

The Lord Stirling's Fifes & Drums of LSC-Montgomery have played alongside the Houston Symphony at the Cynthia P. Mitchell Pavilion in The Woodlands, as well as marching in previous July 4th Parades. “This year we will have seven of the best fifers I've ever assembled along with three drummers to join us in the march,” said Livingston.