One part that really hit me square in the feelings was during film footage of one of our Canadian military pipe bands marching at the head of their regiment in W.W.II. As this was projected, the same pipe and drum corps from present day, clad in the same tartan, marched out into the arena from under where the screen was, making it almost appear as though they were walking out of the midst of their past counterparts.
Of course, there was also a lot of just plain fun music... as always, they had some selections from a Broadway musical. This year it was the Music Man, so we got to sing along to a rousing version of "Seventy Six Trombones" featuring the British Brass- who were absolutely amazing- and a couple soloists, as well as the choir.
I think the Tattoo is a great event to take kids to, and not just because it's a fun time to share with them. It's also a way to instill pride in their country, and give them a sense of history- all too often overlooked in school- and a connection to past generations. And the tributes to our veterans and songs and images of past wars is a reminder to them that the freedom we now enjoy was not without great cost, as the presence of our contemporary soldiers reminds us that it cannot be maintained without great sacrifice from our Forces today.
Oh- and this year, I came in on time on the "Hoy!'s in "Black Bear". I'm going to post a little footage (not mine) from last years' Tattoo, of the very end where the bagpipes have piped out the rest of the cast, and are ending the evening in the traditional way, with "Scotland the Brave" and "Black Bear".