Thom Metz of Virginia Beach playing with other members of the Tidewater Pipes and Drums in February 2024 at Scope in Norfolk. The Virginia Arts Festival was announcing the participating nations for the Virginia International Tattoo that April. (Bill Tiernan/The Virginian-Pilot)
(Tribune News Service) — All good American patriots know the Declaration of Independence was adopted on July 4, 1776.
But not as well known is that the Continental Congress, foreseeing war on the horizon in 1775, authorized the creation of an army, a navy and a landing force for the fleet.
This year, the Virginia Arts Festival’s presentation of the 2025 Virginia International Tattoo will honor the 250th anniversaries of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps.
The traditional military-style tattoo, a musical event with military and civilian bands performing tightly choreographed celebrations of patriotism, will be Thursday through April 27 at Scope arena in Norfolk.
Over a dozen U.S. bands will be joined by two performance groups from Australia; His Majesty the King’s Guard Band and Drill Team from Norway; the Japan Air Self-Defense Force Central Band; the Major Sinclair Memorial Pipe Band of Northern Ireland; and the Royal Canadian Air Force Pipes and Drums. A second Canadian group, Delta Police Pipe Band, was scheduled but canceled its performance. Scott Jackson, event director and producer, told The Virginian-Pilot that the pipe band did not provide a reason.
The stories of the U.S. Army, Navy and Marine Corps will be woven into the performance and include scenes spotlighting bands from each branch, he said.
There’ll also be some fun pop culture references.
The Norwegian drill team will play a song from the Marvel movie “Captain America.” During a short drum solo featuring a glockenspiel, it’ll also play the theme song from “The A-Team.”
Japanese musicians will play the song “Shenandoah” as a tribute to Virginia.
There will be a traditional musical rendition of “Amazing Grace,” sung in Japanese, Norwegian, Gaelic, French and English.
And, of course, what’s a traditional tattoo without bagpipes?
Ross McCrindle, the event pipe major, told The Pilot there will be 138 pipers and drums this year.
“It’s got everything that you would traditionally expect to have in a tattoo,” McCrindle said. “It has some sort of pride, some feel good stuff, some patriotism, and it has heart-rate raising moments in it.”
colin.warrenhicks@virginiamedia.com
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