A highlight for us this weekend was seeing the Fifes and Drums of Yorktown give a performance. This is a troop of 10 - 18 year olds who obviously practice their art - a lot. At the appointed hour the troop gathered and marched down Main Street to the Nelson House. Thomas Nelson Jr., one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, lived here so it was fitting that the Troop performed on the steps of his house. As well as playing a number of tunes we also learned about the function of the Fife and Drums. Not only did they provide the tempo for marching but they helped in communication during battles. The noise of battle made it difficult to hear verbal commands. The Fife and Drum Band would play certain tunes for certain commands and the Troops would then know what they were supposed to do - clever!