NOTABLE EVENTS
The Fall and Christmas Schedule of the United States Marine Band
Contributed by Jack Kopstein

On November 6th the US marine band celebrated John Philip Sousa’s birthday. The band played homage to the 155th anniversary of his birth at the Congressional Cemetery in Washington. The concert was conducted by the Assistant Director Major Jason A. King. The concert featured the playing of the “Stars and Stripes Forever,” and “Semper Fidelis.” Sousa was the 17th director of the   US Marine band.

November 8th marked the annual Marine Corps Worship service at the Washington National Cathedral and featured the Marine band brass ensemble under the direction of Assistant Director Major Jason K. Fetig. Master Sergeant Stephan Bulla’s Uncommon Valour -Images of Iwo Jimo was the highlight of the ensemble’s performance.

November 10th Marine band Drum Major Master Gunnery Sergeant William L. Browne led the band in the celebration of the 235th anniversary of the United States Marine Corps. The Marine band performed with the Marine Drum and Bugle Corps, the Silent Drill Team and the Ceremonial Marchers. The Commandant of the United States Marine Corps General James T. Conway laid a wreath to commemorate all marines who have died in the service since 1775.

November 19th In honour of Abraham Lincoln’s Bicentennial year, the Marine band participated in a ceremony in an observation of the President’s Gettysburg Address. It was the 146th anniversary. The ceremony took place at the Soldiers National Cemetery at Gettysburg Military Park in Pennsylvania.

December 3rd ‘The Presidents Own’ will perform with other entertainers for the lighting of the National Christmas Tree Ceremony on the Ellipse, south of the White House. This is the 86th year that Americans have come together to celebrate the season with the lighting of the tree. Conducted by Colonel Michael J Colburn, many holiday favourites will be played.

December 6th The Marine band will play at Wolfe Traps annual Holiday sing along. The programme will be conducted by Assistant Director Major Jason K. Fetig along with band vocalists will sing and play a variety of great music from the Christmas and Hanukah season., including “Joy to the World,” “Feliz Navidad,” “Jingle Bells,” “Silent Night,” and the “Dreidel Song.”

December 13th The Brass band Quintet will present a recital in the John Philip Sousa band Hall at the Marine Barracks annex in Washington. The program will celebrate the holiday season with John Harbison’s “Fantasy on Twelve Days of Christmas” and Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suit.”

HALIFAX, NOVA SCOTIA, CANADA

contributed by Jack Kopstein

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Featuring over 2,000 world-class Canadian and international military and civilian performers, the Tattoo continues to live up to its reputation as one of the world’s premiere cultural and entertainment events. The Tattoo strikes a unique balance, featuring pipes and drums, military and civilian bands, historic re-enactments, dancers, acrobats, choirs, military displays and competitions, drama and comedy in a number of innovative acts, in a fast-paced two and a half hour family show. The Tattoo is held annually at the Halifax Metro Centre during the first week of July.

A different show every year, the Tattoo is a masterpiece of colour, music, artistry, athleticism and nostalgia that continues to amaze audiences each year.

To date, 23 countries have participated in the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo.  This past year was our 30th Anniversary!  It featured many bands from all over the world! Here are some examples.

CANADA:
Stadacona Band of Maritime Forces Atlantic
National Band of Naval Reserve
Land Force Atlantic Area Band
The Band of the Ceremonial Guard
The Massed Bands and Pipes of the Canadian Air Force
Pipes & Drums of the 2nd Battalion The Royal Canadian Regiment
3 Area Support Group Pipes & Drums
12 Wing Shearwater Pipes & Drums
14 Wing Greenwood Pipes & Drums
Nova Scotia Highlanders Pipes & Drums
Canadian Cadet Pipes and Drums
The RCMP Pipes and Drums
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo/Black Watch Association Pipes
& Drums

OUTSIDE CANADA:
The Royal Band of the Belgian Air Force
Copenhagen Police Band
Military District Band I (Germany)
Royal Fire Brigade Band Malmo Sweden
Regimental Band and Corps of Drums of the Royal Welsh
Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes & Drums (U.S.A.)
The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo thrills an audience of 60,000 every year.

For more information, please visit our website at www.nstattoo.ca

Our thanks for info to:
Leah Whitehead
Group Sales, Media Relations
and Publications Coordinator
Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo
1586 Queen Street, Halifax, NS B3J 2J1
Phone: (902) 420-4620
Fax: (902) 423-6629