Smyrna, DE
They Love a Parade
“The Citizens’ Hose Company marched in firemen’s parades long before they had a band,” says chairman and drummer Robert Merrill. He’s been with the band for 40 years. “In the 1800s, the marchers won their first parade. The prize was a $10 coin, and that set the tone for us. We’ve always tried to be number one,” Merrill says.
In 1947, a few firefighters formed a band to back up the drill team. Since then, they’ve grown to nearly 80 musicians and marchers, each a member of the town’s 300-member volunteer department.
“I believe it’s the only true community marching band in Delaware, and one of a few in the country,” says Mark Mumford, drum major for 10 years with Citizens’ Hose.
Smyrna began in about 1700 as an English Quaker settlement called Duck Creek. Its wharves were centers of commerce in the 1800s, and many examples of Federal and Victorian architecture still grace the town. More recently, it has become a destination for people escaping the Wilmington/Philadelphia metro-complex. The Bombay National Wildlife Refuge on Delaware Bay is a few miles to the east, and the bay shore has its share of sandy beaches. But of the many attractions Smyrna might boast, Citizens’ Hose ranks near the top of its list.
From 16-year-old high schoolers to 70-something seniors, practically every one of Smyrna’s 6,000 residents is either a band member, or friends with or related to someone who is. They practice often and perform at least twice a month. Through donations and paid attendance at music nights, the town supports its activities. From ice cream socials and nursing homes to holiday parades and firefighter events, the hometown band is on the march, often in Smyrna.
But they’ve strutted their stuff—resplendent in dark navy suits studded with brass buttons—in nearly every major East Coast city. The band has performed for two presidents—Eisenhower and Clinton. Last year, members took their show to Ireland.
“They received a personal invitation from the Lord Mayor of Dublin to perform in Dublin’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade,” says Pat Stombaugh, a member of the band’s fund-raising committee. “It’s a real honor. You only perform by invitation, and they deserved to go. They’re very good. The whole town is proud of them!”
Just before leaving, Merrill was stopped at a gas station. “A man walked up and wished us luck. He said the community is certain we’d do Smyrna proud. That felt good.”
When they take to the streets, brass and skins produce a variety of tunes, such as The National Emblem March and Grande Ole Flag. And every performance finishes with I Love Old Smyrna, written for the band by composer Paul Yoder.
Their sound is stirring, and in parades the band is heard long before it’s seen.
“That’s from our old days,” Merrill says. “When the band was small, we had to work hard to put out a good sound. I think a marching band should always be felt as well as heard. Your heart should beat with the bass drum.”
Though different numbers play at different times, it doesn’t diminish the sound. “Even if we only have 30 guys on the street, it sounds like a band of 80 or 90,” Mumford says. “We want to look and sound our best when we’re out there representing Smyrna.”
In September 2000, their performance during the Delaware Volunteer Firemen’s Association Parade earned them their eighth straight Governor’s Cup. “In our entire history, we’ve won 22 Governor’s Cups,” Merrill says. “Our closest competitor has won six.”
Mumford loves it. “I’ve been a drum major for one company or another for 27 years,” he says, “and it’s an honor to be part of this group. I love what it adds to a small town.”
When the band practices, neighbors venture out of their homes to set up lawn chairs and watch—and sometimes offer advice.
“They’ll tell us who’s out of step or off tune.” Merrill says, laughing. “It’s all very enjoyable. I don’t know if I can express how much fun it is to be part of this band.”
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