The Fort York Drums play the two military instruments carried by field musicians of the War of 1812 period, including a B flat fife and tenor side slung rope tension snare drum.  The fife is a six holed instrument, played across the body like the modern flute.  It is a practical instrument for the military as it does not require significant upkeep in the field.  The fife was played in the upper octave, which allowed the instrument to be an effective communication tool as it could be heard for a great distance.

The drum was typically constructed of a wood shell, although brass shells were also common at this time period.  The drum heads were made out of calf skin, which is stretched over wooden hoops and fit tightly to the shell.  To give the drum a crisp sound, snares (pieces of dry thin leather twisted tightly) were strung along the bottom head of the drum.  The drum was tensioned by ropes and ears that were strung vertically around the drum.  

The drum complements the fife, as it plays in the bass range, and could be heard for a great distance.  This allowed these two instruments to be heard in and around the fort by soldiers working on fortifications, standing sentry or sleeping in barracks.