Monday 15 May 2017

Band of the Royal Marines Scotland raise the roof

I grew up in a house of music. My dad played in a military band for many years and we still take any opportunity we can to go to a concert and enjoy some military tunes. 
The latest outing was to hear the Band of the Royal Marines Scotland, who are on a six day visit to Northern Ireland. 

 

After playing a Beating Retreat in my hometown of Lisburn on Saturday (May 13), they also performed a concert at Alexandra Presbyterian Church in Belfast on Monday (May 15), which is where Dad and I saw them on our latest daddy daughter date night. 
There were plenty of rousing anthems and well known military tunes, with one of the favourites being the William Tell Overture. 

 

There was even a touch of the 70s and 80s thrown in with a medley which included a Lady In Red solo on the sax and Whiter Shade of Pale on the flugelhorn. 
The bandmaster told the audience his percussion section "weren't really musicians because they just hit things" but Musician Alisdair Chatterton certainly "hit things" with great musicianship and skill when he performed a xylophone solo 'Root Beer Rag', which was breathtaking in its speed and complexity. 
The audience seemed to agree when he got a standing ovation for his efforts. 
Special mention must go to the drum corps, who made an appearance to show off their awe inspiring skills of precision. 
There was also some toe tapping and hand clapping when the Ceilidh Band played a selection of reels and Scottish melodies. 
There was even a spot of big band swing music thrown in for good measure. 
The concert rounded off with evening hymns, including Rule Brittania and, of course, the much loved Regimental Marches Heart of Oak, A Life on the Ocean Waves, and We're No Awa Tae Bide Awa. 
Without a doubt the evening was a fantastic showcase for the wealth of talent in the band. It was the perfect opportunity for them to show off their wide ranging and hugely varied repertoire. If you ever get a change to catch them in concert or on parade, you definitely won't be disappointed  

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