YORKTOWN — If you find yourself walking the charming streets of Historic Yorktown on a Wednesday or Thursday evening, you may hear the beat of a drum or the strains of “Yankee Doodle” coming from a cream building on Church Street.
Inside is what the Tourism Development Office of York County calls the musical heart of the historic area: The Fifes and Drums of York Town.
Formed in 1976 to celebrate America’s Bicentennial, the corps is comprised of 40 young musicians ranging in age from 10 to 18 years old who devote their time to studying and performing 18th-century field music.
“You can’t help but get into the patriotic aspect of what the corps represents when you see these young people involved and performing,” said Jim Camillucci, who is completing his twentieth year as the Musick Master.
The original Fifes and Drums were used to communicate on the battlefields and in the encampments during the Revolutionary War. Today, the corps participates in nearly one hundred performances across the Eastern seaboard, according to the office.
The musicians have played the National Anthem at Fort McHenry, entertained visitors at Mount Vernon, and traveled to France on a goodwill trip. In Yorktown, the group performs and entertains on a regular basis.
“There are very few places you can go to find this type of authentic street entertainment,” said Nikki Goetz, President of the Fifes and Drums of York Town. “It will enrich your experience.”
For those interested in seeing one of their performances, they appear on a regular basis at the Yorktown Market Days and will be opening for the Virginia Symphony on Sept. 2 at the Riverwalk Landing.
“Come to a performance! We are very open to questions, and we’d love to have a conversation about our corps!” said 17-year-old Section Leader and Fife Seargeant Ailin Harpole.
You more local performances in the Events Calendar or by visiting their website.
