Tasmanian audiences are in for a tattooed treat when the world famous pipe and drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards return to Tasmania this week.
I recently spoke to their manager/organiser Tony Brady about their last visit which was so successful and enjoyed so much, that they are delighted to return. The show is a spectacle in sound and vision as they perform in their full ceremonial dress just as been witnessed in their regular appearances in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. This year The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards celebrate their 75th anniversary.
Originally formed as a light cavalry unit, they have since swapped steads for tanks they have also relocated from Germany to Fife, with their headquarters now in Edinburgh castle, which also houses an exhibition tracing their history.
An important fact to remember about the Dragoon Guards is that they are soldiers first before musicians. The two careers coming together is beautifully highlighted by an incident on this present tour where the band played the last post at the Canberra War Memorial.
So much so that their music tours are viewed as their ‘hobby time’. The two careers are combined in that when they enter the military academy they also enter the attached music school. Tony says, The Dragoons are ‘ambitious and avid musicians’ keen to develop this aspect of their natures.
The Dragoons are often invited to the palace and travelled to Balmoral castle to celebrate special events, such as this year’s 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth. The Queen is herself, number one colonel in chief of the group.
If you are think the music is totally traditional be informed, although it does contain traditional tunes and some additional self-penned tunes, the music is also highly commercial covering movie themes like ‘The Last of the Mohicans’ and their celebrated 1972 version of ‘Amazing Grace’ in which remained at number one for five years and sold seven million copies. In 2008 the band won a classical Brit Award for their album ‘Spirit of the Glen’.
You can see The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Tasmania at the following venues …
Thursday 17th November, 2016 – PRINCESS THEATRE, LAUNCESTON – Bookings: (03) 6323 3666 or www.theatrenorth.com.au
Friday 18th November, 2016 – DERWENT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – Bookings: 136 100 or www.ticketmaster.com.au
Saturday 19th November, 2016 – DEVONPORT ENTERTAINMENT CENTRE – Bookings: (03) 6420 2900
Paula Xiberras
