2RCR Pipes & Drums steal the show in Virginia (Apr 97)

by Captain Glen MacNeil

Twenty-five soldiers with the Pipes & Drums of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment (2 RCR), stole the show at Norfolk's XLIV Annual International Azalea Festival and Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival. They performed in Virginia from Apr. 21-26. The 2 RCR Pipes & Drums, invited by the Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic to perform at this NATO festival, were the only act from outside the U.S. to perform in some of the events.

Their main performance was at the International Military Tattoo held at the SCOPE Civic Center in downtown Norfolk on Apr. 26. Other bands that performed include the U.S. Marine Corps Band, the U.S. Navy Band, the U.S. Continental Army Band, the U.S. Air Force Reserve Pipes and Drums, the Old Guard Fife and Drums and the Williamsburg Fife and Drums. The 2 RCR Pipes & Drums, led by Pipe Major Bryan Duguid and Drum Major Ted Stoneham, stole the hearts of the audience. They played a five minute music set and a five minute highland dance set where Corporals Stu MacDonald, Chris Racine, Renee Hudon and Robert Kraft hooted and hollered to the crowds delight. They also earned a standing ovation as they led the brass bands in a chilling version of Amazing Grace during the show's finale.

Earlier in the week, the Pipes & Drums played at the grand opening of the Virginia Waterfront International Arts Festival at an open air venue on the waterfront called Nauticus. Here they played a 15 minute musical set highlighted by a drum salute led by Sergeant Gene Heather.

The highlight of the week took place on Apr. 23 when the soldiers from the Pipes & Drums went on board the U.S. Navy's newest and largest aircraft carrier, the USS John C. Stennis. All were treated to a thorough tour of the carrier. Of particular note was the huge size of the flight deck - over four and one half acres in area. After the tour the soldiers picked up their instruments and put on a 15 minute show for the crew.

To end the week the Pipes & Drums put on their full dress uniforms and represented the regiment, the Canadian Forces and Canada in the Azalea Festival Street Parade through Norfolk.

The Pipes & Drums have been busy and will continue to be over the next few months. During the last week of May they performed at the Cabot 500 show in Gander, Nfld. They took part in ceremonies for the opening of the Confederation Bridge linking New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. The ceremonies included a five kilometre march starting on the bridge and finishing at a concert by the Rankin Family, and an official opening ceremonies on May 31.

On Jun. 13 the Pipes & Drums will entertain television viewers across the Atlantic provinces when they appear on Breakfast Television on ASN.

Jun. 19 to Jul. 8 is the busiest time for the Pipes & Drums, as they performed at the Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax, the 2 RCR Change of Command Parade in Gagetown, N.B, and a regimental parade in Petawawa, Ont. In mid July the Pipes & Drums performed at the Miramichi Irish Festival in New Brunswick.

The 2 RCR Pipes & Drums represent the embodiment of regimental spirit, and the regiment endeavours to preserve them as an active part of the battalion and regimental structure. As the Daily Press from Norfolk said, "The Pipes and Drums of the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Canadian Regiment, have performed at the world's most respected tattoos. Made up of about 20 infantrymen who perform with the group in addition to their regular soldierly duties, the unit is frequently dispatched to lend bagpipe-powered drama to military ceremonies around the world."

Pro Patria

[articles, main] [home]

This page hosted by Get your own Free home page