By Marci Owens:
The Black Watch Drums, Pipes and Highland Dancers along with the Band and Choir of the Prince of Wales Division brought out many of the usual suspects in their kilts and tartans last night. Although sadly the audience was small, they were very enthusiastic. Prior to the program, our local heroes, the Mesa Caledonian Pipe Band played a set while the audience was taking their seats. Their performance got everyone in the mood for what was to follow and solved the problem of what to do you do while waiting for a concert to start.
These are both military organizations who work at keeping alive the historical and cultural elements of band music as part of the military history of the British Isles. The Prince of Wales Group is a brass band in the most definitive sense of the word. While the pipers and drummers appeared in full highland regalia with the pipers clad in their distinctive Royal Stewart tartan, the band was all spit and polish in immaculate uniforms with gleaming instruments. They also provided some choral selections to the accompaniment of the musicians at several points during the evening.
The played a wide variety of traditional and military pieces as well as some from other musical genre. Besides the standard fare there were newly composed pieces and custom arrangements of other pieces by members of the bands. An outstanding part of the program was the Drum Call. This is a long and complex pieces performed solely by the drummers with all the ruffles and flourishes the drummers could must. It was one of the highlights of the evening and was well received by the audience. The body of the concert was comprised of four segments with musical tributes to England, Wales, Ireland and Scotland. Many were familiar pieces in new arrangements. The band performers demonstrated the wide variety of sounds that can be generated by brass instruments including two of the band members who were playing English post horns as a featured part of the program.
Within the narrow confines of the America West Arena floor they marched together and separately working through a number of choreographic cadences and formations. It was almost dizzying to watch them go through their paces.
Apparently, all members of British military bands must also learn to perform the traditional dances that represent the various cultures. There were 2 energetic dance segments last night including the Highland Fling.
Of course, the pipers were awesome filling the entire arena with the skirl of the war pipes. It is rare to be able to see and hear such a large group of pipers performing at one time. I know to some pipe music is an acquired taste but truly it can be some of the most glorious music in the world.
Among the pieces played were a complex and unusual arrangement of the Irish Washerwoman and the obligatory Amazing Grace. For some reason, unknown to me, all these groups feel the have to play Danny Boy also known as the Londonderry Air. The evening ended with a rousing arrangement of Scotland the Brave that was also played again as the encore.
All and all an upbeat evening of pageantry and impeccable performance if you discount what appeared to be a few tuning problems for some of the brass during the first few pieces. Our climate just does not seem too amenable to instruments that are used to playing in other parts of the world.
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