Canada’s oldest Civilian Pipe Band, founded in 1896. They are the first Pipe Band to be heard in the Nation’s capital on Burns night, January 25,1896. Under the direction of Pipe Major Bethany Bisaillion, the Sons of Scotland compete at the Grade 5 level and perform in some 50 concerts and parades throughout the year.
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band were first heard in Ottawa, Canada on January 25, 1896, and have continued to support the mandate of providing free instruction to anyone wishing to learn the pipe band drums and encouraging members to share their talents in their community. The band has a strong concert, contest and trip profile, and love being in Belfast again – they helped mark the 100th anniversary of City Hall in 2010 with a show and reception. Being here is a great honour, and we are thankful for the invitation from their great friend, Drum Major Brian Wilson. The world is made small and lovely with the music heard in the show, and the Sons of Scotland are proud representatives of their country and this music.
Glengarry Pipe Band, Ontario, Canada
The Glengarry Pipe Band is based in Maxville Ontario Canada, home of the North American Pipe Band Championships. The Band was formed in early 1961 under PM Gordon Kippen and has operated continuously since that time. The original purpose of the band was to provide a local host band for the Glengarry Highland Games in Maxville, Ontario, and the band has proudly maintained its close relationship with the Highland Games ever since. The Glengarry Pipe Band can be seen competing in Canada, The United States, and overseas as well as performing at local charitable events, community functions, and parades throughout Eastern Ontario and Ottawa. We strive to accomplish the best in music and to foster a friendly competitive spirit and community involvement in our youth. The Glengarry Pipe Band Organization consists of a Gr. 3, Gr. 4 and a Juvenile Band and sponsored by the Glengarry Highland Games.
Dunfermline District (RBL Scot) Pipes and Drums
Dunfermline District (RBL Scot) Pipes and Drums has in its various guises been in existence since the 1890s. The member led band provides tuition in piping and playing the drums free of charge and the band is a registered Scottish Charity (SC025322). The band have a busy calendar supporting local Gala’s and community events, weddings, funerals, sporting events, charity events, corporate events and shows. The past few years has seen the band perform with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Dougie Maclean, Andre Rieu along with performing for the Scottish leg of the BTCC and have regularly performed at Knockhill racing circuit. In 2022 the band had the honour of being the first civilian Band to perform for the new King and Queen. The Band are proudly affiliated with the Royal British Legion Scotland and support them both locally and nationally. With a number of veterans in the band we lead the annual remembrance Sunday parade through the city of Dunfermline. The Band wear the RBL Scotland Cap badge and MacDuff Tartan.
Spielmannszug Marienloh Fife and Drum
The Spielmannszug Marienloh Fife and Drum marching band was founded in 1973. The idea to form the Ceremony Troop with the most experienced musicians from the band came as a result of British troop withdrawals from Paderborn garrison in 2017, when we felt the need to preserve the memory, pomp and ceremony of the British military parades in and around Paderborn. To achieve this we adopted a similar look to that of the Rifle´s regiment who were based in Paderborn for many years and also introduced the bugle as an additional instrument into our band. Our uniforms are hand made by military tailors Samuel Brothers Ltd. in Aldershot and with the addition of our own arm insignia, badges and buttons completes the anglo British-German look. The Ceremony Troop Marienloh not only offers musical enjoyment, but also has its own unique way of marching in the British Military drill formation style, resulting in a performance which is special and pleasing to both the ear and the eye and makes for an unforgettable experience for the watching audience. Since April 2017 the Ceremony Troop have performed for many thousands of people on various occasions throughout the United Kingdom and Germany. To mention a few: ´´Marienburg Tattoo Germany, Benefit shows in Llay, LLandudno North Wales, Benefits show Cople Bedford, Lemgo Town festival & Paderborn city hall show Germany“ and many other occasions besides were we have been well received. The Troop founded in 2019 the International Military Tattoo Marienloh and has performed there every year since. The Tattoo proves to be very popular with an up close audience and involves many well known performers and bands from the United Kingdom and Europe. We are thrilled for the opportunity to present our new show incorporating quick marching formations, popular marching tunes and music compositions from the United Kingdom, France and Germany at the Belfast Military Tattoo 2024.
Pride of the Raven Flute Band
Pride of the Raven Flute Band were formed in 1968 and are one of five recognised Melody flute bands from the East Belfast area.
The band attended the Battle of the Somme 100th Anniversary in France in 2016 and will return again in August 2024.
Other notable events include appearing at the Ulster Hall and parading at The National Arboretum in Litchfield. Since the early 1980’s they
have held a charity parade annually and have donated all proceeds to worthy charities. These annual parades have resulted in
the band donating almost £120,000 to charity and wish to thank the generous public in East Belfast for their continued support.
The Officers and Members of the band are delighted to be taking part in this year’s Belfast Tattoo.
Nigel Booth. Secretary.
Moneyslane Flute Band
Announcing the attendance of Moneyslane Flute Band at the Belfast International Tattoo 2024.
Moneyslane Flute Band was formed in 1981 in the small South Down village of Moneyslane and it is where they practise each week.
They play a mixture of marches, hymns and traditional music using locally made flutes from Kilkeel and drums from Rathfriland.
Their appearance is modelled on a traditional military corps of drums with their full-dress uniform, drill boots, drum major and colours.
They perform at many different parades, concerts and gatherings right across the six counties of Northern Ireland regularly throughout the year.
They are self-taught in all respects.
OzScot Highland Dancers, Australia
Under Dance Director Cheryl Roach OAM OzScot Australia showcases highland dancers from all states and regions of Australia and this year is no exception. The 30 strong team has been selected from all over Australia.
The first international performance for OzScot Australia was at the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Scotland in 2002 as part of a team of international dancers from New Zealand, Canada, South Africa and Scotland to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
Since that Event OzScot has continued to tour and dance throughout the World including many of the major International Tattoo Events. OzScot has enjoyed working with Solo Pipers, Big Bands, Mass Pipes and Drums including every style of music. OzScot enjoys a great blending of music and various styles of dance from across the waters renewing the strong bond enjoyed by Australia and other internationals groups and looks forward to performing in at Belfast for the first time.
This year OzScot is celebrating 21 years of touring and has performed for the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo five times in Edinburgh and three times in Australia, including accepting an invitation to perform in the Spiegel Tent at the Edinburgh Festival with the Australian Military in 2012 whilst performing at the Edinburgh Tattoo.
The Dance Group has also had the amazing opportunity to perform in Muscat Oman, five times at the Virginia Festival International Tattoo, three times at the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Netherlands International Military Tattoo, the South Africa Tattoo, dancing with the Washington Tattoo for the 3 rd time this year and performing at Tartan Day in New York for the first time. OzScot will be joining the Basel Tattoo in Switzerland for the fifth time in July and is delighted to be performing at the Belfast Tattoo for the very first time.
OzScot is known for its innovative approach to dance, working with precision, exactitude, and sense of line. The choreography always reflects a unique blending of traditional highland dance steps with contemporary movements providing a challenging combination for the dancer and at the same time delights the audience by the new and unexpected.
OzScot Teams have travelled the World to enjoy their passion of dance and performance and look forward to connecting with the Belfast Tattoo in 2024 and enjoying all the delights that Belfast has to offer.
King’s Cadence, United States
King’s Cadence is a male “gospel-rooted” quartet that has been a dream of founder KC Armstrong’s since 1994. After serving 20 years collectively with The US Air Force Singing Sergeants and The US Army Chorus and moving back to Tennessee, KC reconnected with some old buddies in the East Tennessee area and started King’s Cadence in 2019. As a Christ-centered ministry, their vision is to sing great songs to people who are yearning for GOOD NEWS, an encouraging word, or maybe just something to smile about! Although most of their engagements are church concerts or events, they have been involved in many other events in the States. One of which is The Washington Tattoo, a newly formed team in Washington, DC!
KC worked side by side with Mark Reilly and Billy White, the founders of TWT, while they were all on active duty with The US Army Band system! All members of King’s Cadence are huge supporters of those who protect our freedoms and long to see them all taken care of when returning home! Each member has been singing with other groups for decades and all four men have had vocal training at the collegiate level and hold degrees in music. Collectively they bring years of experience and a variety of musical styles to the platform. Having been friends since 1996, they originally met in studio sessions and performed with ensembles based out of the Chattanooga area.
Some facts about King’s Cadence:
The manager/bass singer of King’s Cadence, KC Armstrong, served both in The US Air Force and in The US Army as a professional Bass Vocalist.
Although only five years old, the members of King’s Cadence have known each other through the gospel music/studio session world in Tennessee for over 25 years.
King’s Cadence has performed in 12 US States and this is their first overseas performance.
We’re very much looking forward to having King’s Cadence perform at the Belfast Tattoo in 2024!
The Band of Liberation, Netherlands
Former conscript military musicians formed the Band of Liberation in 2000 to commemorate fifty-five years Liberation of the Netherlands by order of the International Rhine Tattoo foundation under the management of Simon Dubbelaar, CEO and founder of Marching Band Management in the Netherlands. Band of Liberation is a welcome guest at various veteran events and memorial services. Many veterans from home and abroad have taken the Band of Liberation to their hearts. During the band’s relative short history they have already succeeded in building a proud and constant record of accomplishment throughout Europe.
Highlights • Musikparade and Deutschland Tattoo – Germany • The International Military Birmingham Christmas Tattoo – England • Tattoo Belfast – Northern Ireland • Tattoo Nedzierzyn – Koxle – in Poland • International Rhine Tattoo – Netherlands • International Military Christmas Tattoo – Netherlands • Military Tattoo Porcieu – France
Normandy is the Band of Liberations second home away from home since D-Day 65 yearly in the presence of various dignitaries such as her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and various European military and civil dignitaries.
Simon Dubbelaar is the CEO of the Marching band and founder of The Band of Liberation in 2000. Simon has more than forty years’ experience as musician, drum major and band Master. Simon served as a soldier musician during his national service in several military bands and orchestras. Simon is also a renowned drum and show instructor and organizer of prestigious tattoos in the Netherlands, such as the International Rhine Tattoo, International Military Christmas Tattoo and the Historic City of Gouda Tattoo. Chorographer of gold medal champion showbands.
Director of Music & Pipe Major: Hans Dubbelaar. Founding member of the band management team. In the 1970’s Hans’s studied music composition and is well known as an arranger-composer. Former National Service Soldier. In 2011, the former Queen Beatrix appointed Hans to the Order of Oranje Nassau. The driving force behind the Liberation Pipe Institute. More than forty years experience in the show and marching band world as music instructor/conductor. Since the 70’s Hans is well known to the Big Band scene and is now the Band Leader of the Royal Dutch Engineers Reunion Big Band.The Band of Liberation counts fifty musicians and ten supporting staff. The formation closely resembling a traditional British Military Band with the addition of Bagpipes. During military tattoos and ceremonies the band will be extended to accommodate a choir of twelve persons plus one other solo singer. The bands repertoire is diverse ranging from military marches to veterans songs from the WWI & WW2 eras.
The repertoire includes ceremonial and classic remembrance works. This includes anthems and drum and bugle signals. The band has also included modern film and musical works such as the Outlander, Titanic, Les Miserable & Schindlers List. Veterans have often said that the Band of Liberation is the band that plays their music! The voices of the band are from the United Kingdom: Emma Brown & Rebecca Robinson.
We are delighted to welcome the performances from The Band of Liberation to the Belfast International Tattoo in 2024.
Schomberg Fife and Drum
The Schomberg Fife and Drum is an integral part of the Schomberg Society in Kilkeel. Formed in 1998, they are based in Reivers House, Kilkeel in Co. Down and play traditional Fifes, Snare Drums and Lambeg Drums. The origins of the Schomberg Fife and Drum lie in the age old tradition of drumming on the 11 th July, and today, the Fife and Drum carries on this tradition, playing a key role in the Schomberg Society’s Hairtlan Festival and 11th July Celebrations.
The Fife and Drum in partnership with the Schomberg Society play an important role in the promotion and preservation of Ulster-Scots in the Kingdom of Mourne and beyond. As well as playing traditional Fifes and Lambeg Drums, the ensemble appear at many festivals and events across the country as Living History Re-Enactors and musicians, as a regimental Fife and Drum Band. The Schomberg Fife and Drum are best known for appearing in period costume, spanning from the 17th century up to the present day.
We look forward to having the Schomberg Fife and Drum band on our stage at the Tattoo in September!
Pride of the Birches Accordion Band
Pride of the Birches Accordion Band was formed in 1946 in the Orange Hall at Derrylileagh, near the Birches. At this time, the band was called Derrylileagh Accordion Band, which older members of the community still call it. The band was adorned the nickname ‘Pride of the Birches’, which it was officially renamed when the band moved to Kilmoriarty Orange Hall, on the outskirts of Portadown.
Since 1979 the band has taken part in over 40 contests ad festivals, achieving top results on many occasions. This is due to the hard work and dedication of the band’s conductors and members. The band is extremely active in the community, with over 60 engagements in a typical year. The band has even travelled to other parts of the world, Norway, Spalding and most recently Toronto, Canada. We are pleased for the band to take part in this year’s Belfast Tattoo.
Edgarstown Accordion Band
Edgarstown Accordion Band, was formed in Portadown in 1935, the first meeting was held in a founder member’s Barber Shop in Sarah Street. Second hand instruments were then purchased and the all male accordion band began practicing in a tin hut in Jervis Street.
Generations of the same families still continue to fill the ranks including some grandchildren and great grandchildren of the original members’. Girls now make up a large percentage of its members in the once male only band.
Edgarstown Accordion Band is very active in the local community and has only had one short period of low activity during World War II, when the band was affectionately known as ‘The Billy Boys’. However, the band was to the forefront in helping Portadown celebrate VE Day by entertaining the crowds from the top of the Air Raid Shelter in the middle of the town, which was recorded back then in the Portadown Times. The wartime music genre has carried on throughout the years with a lot of the military marches still being played.
Over the years Edgarstown Accordion Band has taken part in many parades, celebration events, church services, concerts and playing at residential homes, supporting youth organisations, charities and the loyal orders. It was an honour to lead Portadown District in major parades such as 100th Anniversary of the signing of the Covenant in September 2012 and the Northern Ireland Centenary parade in May 2023. The band looks forward to celebrating its’ 90th anniversary next year with a number of events currently being planned.
“It is such a privilege to have been invited to take part in the 2024 Belfast Tattoo, along with our friends and neighbours from the Pride of the Birches Accordion Band. We hope you all enjoy the show.”
We are so excited to see the Edgarstown Accordion Band perform at this year’s Tattoo!
