Pipe band on the big stage (plus video)
Pipe band on the big stage (plus video)
Thursday, 18 February 2016 - 5:12pm
Best wishes to the members of Auckland Police Pipe Band as they march out in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Westpac Stadium, Wellington, this weekend.
The band, many of whose members performed at the Tattoo in Edinburgh last year, has been in intensive rehearsals at the stadium for the Wellington show - billed as 'the greatest show on Earth' - which runs until Sunday.
On the first night they battled swirling Wellington winds which threatened to play havoc with their bearskins and bass drums - but all their hard work and preparations paid off, says Inspector Scott Webb, band President and Police Commanding Officer.
“It's going really well but the weather has been a challenge," he says.
"They’ve been starting early and pretty much practising for the whole day. In true military style it just doesn’t stop.
“They’ve been aware that there’s a lot of work to be done but that it will be worthwhile when it all comes together.”
During the week band members had a visit from Acting Deputy Commissioner Grant Nicholls, President of the New Zealand Police Pipe Band, which isn’t performing. “He had a bit of a tour of the stadium and said a few words of encouragement,” says Scott.
Auckland Police Pipe Band performed when the Tattoo came to Wellington in 2000 and has taken part in the event at Edinburgh Castle on three occasions, though around one-third of its members have never played in Scotland.
Scott says because of their relative experience of the event, they are used as markers in the massed pipes and drums, setting an example and helping other performers stay in rank.
“Every player has been practising and working really hard,” says Scott. “Everyone’s aiming to be perfect on the night.”