Langholm to perform at Waterloo anniversary
BICENTENARY celebrations are set to to continue for Langholm Town Band (LTB) as it prepares to perform in a prestigious engagement to mark the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo.
The band has been invited by the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo to take part in the Eve of Waterloo extravaganza on Thursday, June 11 in the Usher Hall in Edinburgh. Under the baton of Musical Director Chris Shanks, LTB will perform on its own and in a massed band consisting of more than 300 performers including the Bands of Her Majesty's Royal Marines Scotland and the Royal Regiment of Scotland, the Pipes and Drums of The Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and The Royal Regiment of Scotland in company with Erskine Stewart's Melville Schools Choir.
The ensembles will gather in an attempt to bring decisive moments from the 200-year-old engagement to life through a dramatic musical and theatrical pageant. Story-telling, striking theatrical flourishes, orchestral pieces, combined with performances from an array of actors, musicians, singers and dancers, are expected to take audiences on a journey of discovery.
Chris Shanks commented: "Langholm has an incredible history and to be a small part of that is special.However, amongst all the bicentenary events, the opportunity to perform at the Battle of Waterloo celebration organised by the Military Tattoo musicians and choreographers at the Usher Hall is one that the band is very excited about.
"It's a real honour to take part in such a prestigious event."
LTB has its own close ties with the Battle of Waterloo. The band's first significant recorded appearance was for the return of the Scots Greys from the battle when a recently formed band of musicians paraded the returning soldiers through the town. The officer commanding the Royal Scots Greys was so impressed with the band's performance he presented them with part of the brass from his horse's harness, now known as the band buckle, pictured below.
Brigadier David Allfrey, producer of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Eve of Waterloo concert, said: "It is a huge pleasure and a privilege to have the Langholm Town Band involved in the Eve of Waterloo concert.
"The band has strong historical links to the events in 1815. It is rare for any band to have a pedigree stretching back over 200 years and the link with the Royal Scots Greys - my own regiment, now the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards - parading through Langholm after the battle makes the collaboration all the more special.
"Above all though, the band consists of accomplished musicians and their involvement brings a number of extra dimensions to our show. I know the audience will revel in their performance and I hope the band enjoys its time with us."
Joining LTB on the evening will be the Band of the Royal Regiment of Scotland, one of 22 regular bands in the British Army.
Captain AD Williams, director of music, said: "It is with great pleasure and excitement that The Band of The Royal Regiment of Scotland will share the magnificent Usher Hall stage with the Langholm Town Band in this musical and theatrical extravaganza to celebrate Waterloo 200.
"With shared musical histories dating back over 200 years in Scotland, we will represent the antecedent regiments that no doubt will have paraded alongside the town band on the momentous occasion of their victorious homecoming.
"Music is truly etched into the fabric of the Scottish nation and the longevity of our two musical organisations bears testament to this - here's to the next 200."
More information on the event is available by logging on to the Royal Edinburgh Tattoo website.
