2nd Biennial Powell River Tattoo

The Powell River Tattoo, to be held June 2nd at the Academy of Music starting at 1 pm, is a must-see for those who love the panache and pipes ‘n’ drums of Scottish and military marching bands.

The word “tattoo” originally dates from the seventeenth century and is derived from the Dutch word “Tap-toe” which means quite literally “turn off the taps”. At that time, British Army units were stationed in Holland and Belgium, countries well-known even then for their fine beer and ale. Each evening, drummers from the garrisons were sent out into the towns and, with a rapid drumbeat, signalled the innkeepers Doe den tap toe (”turn off the taps”), stop serving beer and send the soldiers back for the night.

Centuries later, the drums’ tattoo signals a rally of marching bands, bagpipes, singers, dancers and more, celebrating traditional Scottish, Irish, and military music. The most famous of these is the venerable Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held annually since 1950. It draws over 200,000 visitors and the television broadcast reaches another 100 million viewers.

Powell River’s Tattoo is a more accessible experience, and every bit as spine-tingling when the massed bands and choirs march onto the parade field by the Academy of Music and launch into the grand finale numbers. Powell River is known internationally for its biennial choral festival, Kathaumix’w, and Tattoo organizers expect their event to develop an equally enthusiastic international following – especially as they include choral and dance performances as well as pipes and drums. Chairman George Thomson proudly notes that, in a first for Powell River, its celebrated Chor Musica will join with the Powell River Choral Society for a moving performance by these outstanding massed voices with the Powell River Community Band under the direction of Walter Martella and Don James.

Thomson and co-facilitator Ian Richmon have a legion of assistants – the Royal Canadian Legion Powell River Branch, that is. Members are hosting the visiting bands, arranging for transportation, sound system, a hospitality tour and participating in the colour party and grand finale. In the background, the Army and Navy Cadets will assist with setup and communications on the parade ground.

Before and during the event, Don James and Walter Martella of the Powell River Academy of Music will be conducting the choruses and the community band, while Margaret Wrothy will shepherd the highland dancers’ performance.

And the bands! Oh, the bands! Starting with the medieval music of Broken Consort, the afternoon alternates dance and choral performance with traditional Scottish and Irish airs for the pipes ‘n’ drums. Powell River’s Clansman Pipe Band, Powell River Fiddlers and Friends, the Campbell River Legion Pipe Band, and the Comox Valley Pipe Band are scheduled.

Thomson and Richmon expect the event’s highlight performance to be delivered by the Naden Band of Maritime Forces Pacific. Part of naval tradition on the West Coast since 1940, this multifaceted ensemble of thirty-five professional musicians based out of CFB Esquimalt are the Navy’s goodwill ambassadors, performing as a symphonic concert band, a choreographed marching band, jazz, Dixieland, brass and woodwind ensembles.

After each group struts its stuff on the parade field, the Tattoo ends with a performance guaranteed to elevate the heart rate: the colour party, bands, choral groups and dancers “playing into position” as they march onto the grounds for the finale. Choreographing this spectacle is no small feat; Thomson and Richmond are challenged with the task of ensuring that 400 performers get onto and off the parade ground safely. (To put this effort in perspective, Quebec City’s 9-year-old, five-day festival of military music draws 800 participants for its finale.)

Tickets for the Tattoo ($8 adult; $6 senior; children 10 and under free) are now available from the Powell River Academy of Music (604-485-9633) and the Royal Canadian Legion Powell River Branch #164 (604-485-4870.)