Surprise post, again! On last Wednesday, 19th August, The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band arrived in the afternoon at Balmoral Castle for a private performance for Her Majesty The Queen in honor of Sir John A. MacDonald's 200th birthday. Here's quick video of Pipe Major meeting HM. How I learnt about this secret concert?:) I had the band in my FB likes since 2013 or so, and to my delight they shared few pics on which I quickly recognized Sophie along with The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
via Bethany Bisaillion - Pipe Major of the band. At Balmoral on 19th August 2015.
The Sons of Scotland is 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 4 and Grade 5 levels and perform in some 50 concerts and parades throughout the year.
They are committed to developing the talent of each of their members, producing quality music, and having a great deal of fun. The band is affiliated with the College of Piping in Glasgow, Scotland and the Ottawa City Piping College. Full history can be found here.
print screen of Canada TV - click on pic to view the video.
Here's lovely blog run by Betty, who had the chance to travel with the band this summer through Scotland. That's how she describes her brush with royalty: "We were not allowed to take pictures near the Castle as they had a private photographer to do the job. There were guards every few feet dressed in their kilts looking very stately. The Queen and Prince Phillip along with Edward and Sophie were there. Sophie came over and spoke to us along with her daughter as the Queen was meeting the members of the bands. Only the Drum Majors, and Pipe Majors were introduced to the Royal Party. When she was leaving she gave us all a Royal wave. I’ll take that! We had tea and cookies in a reception room and of course the gift shop was open and I did take advantage of that!" Full post can be found here.
print screen of Canada TV - click on pic to view the video. Bethany Bisaillion - Pipe Major of the band, sharing memories of that special day.
But it wasn't the first time for the band to perform in front of HM The Queen. Each summer, the band takes a trip to Scotland to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships at Glasgow Green, and perform at shows at Castles, breweries, Palaces, parking lots and more.
via The Sons of Scotland website. Click on pic to be redirected and read more info. Concert for HM in 2005.
Back in 2005, the band, dancers and guests made their way from Edinburgh to Balmoral Castle on August 11 to play a 45 minute show. In attendance were Her Majesty The Queen, Princess Beatrice, and the Queen's Equerry and Lady In Waiting. The band played a great performance along with the MacCulloch Dancers whose founder Rae MacCulloch and daughter Heather Forbes had the chance to meet The Queen and present her with a lovely gift. Article here.
via Bethany Bisaillion - Pipe Major of the band. Performing for the royals in August 2013.
They returned to Balmoral Castle on 19th August 2013, when they performed for HM The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Earl and Countess of Wessex and their kids: Lady Louise and Viscount James.
The band accompanied by dancers of the MacCulloch School, the Katharine Robinson School and the Sherry Sharpe School played a concert in the back garden. After the performance, the Royal family greeted the guests.
The royals met with performers in the cottage on the grounds of Balmoral Castle for a reception - a tea with The Queen! Article & pics here. More here.
print screen of CTV video. Gift for little Princess Charlotte.
And now, a little bit of trivia about Sir John Alexander Macdonald, who's 200th birthday was celebrated by the band and the royal family. Sir John, born on 10 January 1815 (the registered date) or 11 January (the date he and his family celebrated) in Glasgow, was Canadian politician (from Scotland) and Father of Confederation, who was the first Prime Minister of Canada (1867–1873, 1878–1891). As the dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, he had a political career which spanned for almost half a century. Macdonald served 19 years as Canadian Prime Minister; with only William Lyon Mackenzie King who served longer. More here.
I'm ending my post with the sound of bagpipes, here's The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band performing at Beating The Retreat - Glasgow 2015.
The Sons of Scotland Pipe Band performs for HM The Queen and Wessex family at Balmoral.
Rating: 4.5
Diposkan Oleh: sho fia
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