In the spotlight
MVAA fife, drum unit selected for National Memorial Day Parade
Area musicians will find themselves in the national spotlight next year as the nation celebrates its 250th anniversary.
The Mon Valley Academy for the Arts’ Regimental Fife and Drum Unit has been selected to perform at the National Memorial Day Parade in Washington, D.C., scheduled for May 25, 2026.
The fife and drum unit was formed in 2022 with 13 members and has increased to 20, with plans to expand to 30 members of all ages.
The group includes musicians from across Western Pennsylvania. The MVAA was created in 2015 with a focus on students in grades 7 to 12 but has since expanded its reach.
“It’s very exciting,” said Mark Smith, MVAA CEO. “This is our 10th anniversary, and we got selected to represent little old Charleroi, Brownsville and Western Pennsylvania. This puts us on the national stage.”
MVAA’s Regimental Fife and Drum Unit will join groups from each of the 50 states in the parade. The plan is for the group to replicate traditional Civil War music using authentic fifes and rope drums, along with wearing Civil War uniforms.
Smith said applications submitted by state Rep. Bud Cook and Congressman Guy Reschenthaler were instrumental in the group being selected for the parade.
MVAA plans to bring 100 members to the parade, so there is a need for more people to join the group. Smith said the 46th Regimental Brass Band, 40 members strong, will accompany the fife and drum unit, as well as a group of about 30 Civil War reenactors.
“Going to this parade, we have to increase the size,” Smith said, noting that the oldest person marching will be 74 years old. “We’ve opened it up to all ages. We need flagbearers. We need reenactors. We’re on the recruitment side of this thing.”
With that in mind, a “First Muster” – a term used for assembling troops – is scheduled for 7 p.m. Wednesday at the Peter J. Daley Cultural Center, 119 Brownsville Ave, Brownsville.
Regimental Fife and Drum Unit parents and participants are encouraged to attend the meeting, which is open to the public. Smith will be on hand to share information and respond to questions.
Those interested in being involved or donating to the cause may call 724-565-1687 or email info@monvalleyacademyforthearts.org.
“We have a deadline of mid-October to get the numbers of how many people are going on the trip,” Smith said.
The National Memorial Day Parade will be broadcast on national and international television. It will feature musical ensembles from each branch of the military, veterans’ groups, military and specialty units, floats and VIPs.
“It’s one mile down Constitution Avenue,” Smith said.
The MVAA group will be involved in other activities during their three-day trip to Washington, D.C., such as the National Concert on May 22, as well as visits to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington Cemetery and the Washington Monument.
“We start rehearsals next week,” Smith said. “We’re the only Civil War unit in this parade, which is surprising and exciting to me.”