Marton Pipe Band chosen for Tattoo

MARCHING ON: The Marton Pipe Band is still thriving and has been selected to play in the esteemed Edinburgh Military Tattoo at the Westpac Stadium in Wellington in February. PHOTO/SUPPLIED

The Marton and District Pipe Band have been asked to play at the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Wellington's Westpac Stadium in February.

The is the second international tattoo in Wellington and it will feature a cast of more than 1200 performers and a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle - so make sure you're there to witness this magnificent spectacle of music, dance and precision marching.

The traditional Celtic massed pipes and drums, military bands and highland dancers of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be joined by a selection of the best cultural and military performers from around the world as well as 10 bands from Scotland.

Marton and District Pipe Band secretary Tim Scotland it was a superb opportunity for the band and great for such a small town to be selected.

The band had applied to the New Zealand Pipe Band Association earlier this year to be considered for the spectacular event and were elated when they heard back from the tattoo head office in Scotland saying they had been selected.

"We were so thrilled, it's a marvellous opportunity for us."

Band selected had to have at least 20 members all wearing full uniform.

"And we do get kitted out in full uniform; not all pipe bands do these days."

Bands chosen throughout New Zealand included Northland, St Kentigern (Auckland), City of Wellington, Scots College (Wellington), New Zealand Youth Pipe Band, Waimakutu, Southern Invercargill Combined Dunedin Pipe bands.

The event is scheduled each night at 7.30pm from Thursday February 18 to Sunday 21st.

Mr Scotland said music for the tattoo arrived from Scotland last month and band practices have been stepped up.

"We're all working hard to get the music learned and perfect."

The band, with an age range from 14 to 80, have also been fundraising to help update their uniform and band gear.

The Marton-based band is very much a family band, he said.

Band member John Berry, whose son Tim also plays in the band said it was a shame pipe bands were are not attracting many new members these days. "It's one of those voluntary things from years ago which doesn't hold quite same interest any more," Mr Berry said.

And the band still parades in full regalia - kilts, sporrans, gilt-braided jackets, spats and tall, furry busby hats.

"You don't see a lot of the full uniform any more on bands and I think it's a shame, but then they are very expensive," Mr Berry said.

A few young players have trained with the band, he said.

"Not like there used to be, but a lot of young families have had to leave small towns to find work so that doesn't help."

The opportunities to stride out and play the stirring Scottish music had diminished, he said.

"Well, there's nothing in the winter now so we only practice about once a month.

"We play Anzac Day and at the Christmas Parade here and in Bulls and that's about it."

However, with the tattoo coming up in February they are borrowing a couple of pipers from Australia.

The thing is, Mr Berry said the standard for pipe bands in New Zealand had always been high.

"So there are some excellent players."