The Pacific Tattoo 2013 British Columbia July 23 2013, 2 Comments

Contributed By: Jack Kopstein

The Pacific Tattoo returned on the weekend of July 13th and 14th with a new program of amazing pageantry, music and dance. International Bands from Australia and the Netherlands performed, as well as Police and Fire Service members and massed pipes and drums. They presented two world-class performances.

Pacific Tattoo 2013 welcomed the following performers. ◾The Australian Federal Police Pipes and Drums ◾The Royal Netherlands Army Band “Johan Willem Friso” ◾The Winnipeg Police Pipe Band ◾The Delta Police Pipe Band ◾National Band of the Naval Reserve ◾The Greater Victoria Police Pipe Band ◾The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy ◾The Pacific Tattoo Dance Team with guest dancers ◾The Victoria Fire Department ◾Canadian Tenor, Ken Lavigne ◾Heritage Productions ◾“E” Division Royal Canadian Mounted Police Ceremonial Troop ◾STAGES Dance Company ◾BC Ambulance Service Members and Victoria Police Department Members

The Tattoo sparkled!  A  Terrific production from start to finish with excellent continuity. The tattoo was dedicated to   Police and Fire Service members. The show opened with the entry of performers in various items of dress to re-enact the history of Victoria Fire Fighters and Police. Later we saw, the Naden band marching on with a naval contingent with the band playing” Heart of Oak” Other great moment’s included the entry of the massed Pipes and Drums which was both exciting and awesome. In a salute to the RCMP the military bands entered playing the RCMP march past which is not heard very often and was composed by Captain Charles O’Neill. The bands marked the finale with playing of a golden oldie and most appropriate called the Bond of Friendship march by Mckenzie Rogan. The pipes marched off to the great and inspiring march Black Bear. The RCM drill team added a brilliant lustre to the proceedings.

The audience came from far and wide with visitors from the USA in attendance as well as other countries. The Pacific Tattoo is a first class production. The Victoria Military Music Festival Society (VMMFS) was incorporated under the BC Societies Act on June 8, 1993 and became a Canadian registered charity in 1996. Originally developed to meet a growing interest in military music in the Victoria, BC area, the VMMFS has produced an extensive number of festivals and shows with performers from around the world since its first production in 1994. One of the board members is Roger McGuire. He is one of Canada’s finest Pipe majors and Altissimo is proud to present him on the album Canadian Bagpipes American Brass.