History of bagpipe in Scotland

The Scottish identity is incomplete without the mention of the great Highland bagpipe as tartan and Robert Burns. If we take a round of Edinburgh’s Royal Mile we will hear that familiar wail and the pipers gather each year from local shows to the famous Edinburgh Tattoo to showcase their skills. Though the pipes are not the invention of Scottish but English were blowing the pipes hundreds of years before the Scots started to play them.

The first indisputable presence of the bagpipe in Scotland is not found until the 15th century when an angel-piper and a pig-piper were found in carvings in Rosslyn Chapel and Melrose Abbey. It is reasonable to consider that the ritual came into Scotland from the South before it developed its own traits. It was military and public events instrument of Scotland by the 16 th century.   

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Edinburgh Tattoo gives cherished sword gift to Wellington

A ceremonial broadsword has been presented to the Wellington City in the wake of the record-breaking performances by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. Mayor Celia Wade-Brown presented a ceremonial Scottish Officer broadsword bearing the Royal cipher at the full meeting of the Wellington City Council last night.

 

The Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Rt Hon Donald Wilson gave this sword to Wellington City on the eve of Sunday’s final Royal Edinburgh Tattoo performance at Westpac Stadium. The Mayor said the broadsword is an unending memento of the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in the Capital. The 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo created history to be remembered as the biggest crowd puller than any show held in the Capital.

Edinburgh Tattoo Chief Executive and producer Brigadier David Allfrey said people of Wellington supported Tattoo warmly. A Scottish Officer’s Broadsword is given to the contingent each year at the Tattoo in Edinburgh who has the most contributions to the Tattoo. The sword is highly demanded and the winner is announced before the March Off in front of Edinburgh Castle at the close of the last performance of the summer.

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Blenheim performer dances at Edinburgh Tattoo in Wellington

After 13 years of dancing in front of a variety of crowds, a young Blenheim woman has performed in an event that has no match. Danielle Pope, 19, was the Blenheim’s only dancer to be chosen to perform at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Wellington over the weekend, and she says she was emotional by the opportunity. She says it is amazing to dance with the Scottish dancers but it can also be challenging.

 

She added their way of dancing is slightly different than ours and it is difficult to match them at times but it is incredible that such a world popular event has visited New Zealand. She shared the feeling saying the overall experience was incredible and in terms of glory and size it was like the Tattoo in Edinburgh which surprised me. The world famous event has visited overseas only three times since its starting more than 60 years ago and the people attended the performances from all over the country and even the world.

Danielle had chance once before of performing in the Edinburgh Tattoo and then she traveled to Scotland. She explained the culture and experience was amazing because the size of the castle and the number of attending people was quite incredible. Danielle who is a pharmaceutical student at Otago University, says dancing removes the stress after a long day of study and classes and I would be lost without it because it is one of my craze.      

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New Zealand Army Band member set to receive top NZDF musical honour

Feilding's Sandra Wheeler has a brain tumor for an year but she has survived and becomes the first civilian woman to win the Terry Moloney Memorial Bugle. She was awarded the New Zealand Defense Force (NZDF)Bugle at a small ceremony at her home last weekend where she said you just do what you want to do. Wheeler who is the fifth recipient of the award has a run of 35 years of continuous service to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) and NZDF musical services.

 

The Bugle prize that was started by the International Military Music Society is awarded to the Zealand military band member annually who has served military music in a great way. The band was joined by Wheeler on July 1, 1980 and then she never left. The most current success of her was being appointed the RNZAF music services coordinator for Ohakea after leading a long list.

This duty gave the band a new and positive direction because her ties to local bands and schools have brought young talent to the band. She also has taught music for many years at Huntley School. The next job of the New Zealand Army Band is to give performance at Edinburgh Tattoo. The tattoo is set to take place on 5-27 August 2016. It is hoped the band will perform at its climax in the show and spectators will enjoy a lot of the display.

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Edinburgh Tattoo set to feature Kapa Haka as central performers

A total of 1200 performers are set to perform at Edinburgh Tattoo including Celtic Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers. Involvement of Te Matatini this year means 200 kapa haka members from around the country will perform at center stage. Tamati Waaka says we are not new to perform in front of a large crowd but it will be first time to perform with a band and in a large sport stadium and it will be first time for some of the haka representatives standing in front of such an international crowd.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo CEO David Allfrey says this is a big adventure because The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was being held in Edinburgh for 66 seasons and we were once before in Wellington in the year 2000 and it is second time we are here.

80,000 spectators have purchased coupons for the show that will run for four nights. There are estimates that the show will bring $16 million dollar into the Wellington's economy. Waaka says we will display what Maori do. The show will start in Wellington tonight 18 February and will continue to Sunday 21 February.

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