Amanda Avery Amanda began playing the fife at age 7 when her father Art Hutchinson took over as director of Col. John Chester Fife and Drum Corps. She is a 5 time Connecticut State and 4 time Northeastern Champion in the Junior Ancient Female Fife Class. After graduating from college, Amanda took over the role of Lead Fife Instructor where she mentored the corps to 13 consecutive Connecticut State Championships.

She has been instructed by some of the best fifers in the drum corps world. They include Gail Kowalski, Peter Degree, Jim Pomian, Jim Shea, Kathy Hutchinson and most recently Tishka Musco. Amanda has been playing and marching with the Connecticut Patriots since joining them in 1998. She is a graduate of Central Connecticut State University where she obtained a Bachelors in Education. Amanda is currently working in the insurance industry and lives in Middletown with her husband Ken Avery of Stony Creek Fife and Drum.

Don Mason Don began playing bass drum in the Connecticut Yanks Drum Corps in 1965 and played with the Corps until it disbanded in 1976. After attending College, Don joined the Connecticut Patriots Sr. Fife and Drum Corps, where he has played since 1980. Don has competed for many years in individuals, duets and quartets, as well as with the Corps. 

Don’s family has long been active in drum corps; he met his wife Patricia in the Ct. Patriots and their children, Brendan, Colin, Peter and Maureen have all participated in the Fife and Drum Camp and are currently in the Connecticut Patriots. 

Don joined the Connecticut Valley Field Music Corps where he plays a bass drum that is more than 100 years old. Don teachers Bass drum in the Patriots, the Middlesex County Volunteers from the Boston area and the Col. John Fife and Drum Corps from Wethersfield, CT. He is a past president of the Connecticut Fifer’s and Drummer’s Association and has taught the bass drum section at the Fife and Drum Camp for many years.