(12/29) Thrill to the pomp, pageantry and patriotic sights and sounds The Band of the Irish Guards with Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of the Royal Regiment of Scotland on Friday January 15, 2010 at 8:00 p.m. at the Majestic Theater, Gettysburg, PA. Resplendent in their colorful uniforms, the 80 member brass band and
ensembles will muster a performance of fanfares, marches, light classics and traditional tunes featuring bagpipes, drum solos and Celtic dancing. Join us for the inspirational Changing of The Guards, The Star Spangled Banner, Tribute to the American Armed Forces and finale Muster and March off celebrating St. Patrick's Day and Scotland The Brave!
"This is a once in a lifetime performance. These legendary military bands rarely tour America and usually perform in arenas. It's a real privilege to present them at the Majestic to Adams County's patriotic population", exclaimed Jeffrey Gabel, Founding Executive Director of the Majestic Theater.
The Irish Guards were formed on 1 April 1900 on the expressed wish of HM Queen Victoria to commemorate the bravery of the many Irish Regiments who had fought in the South African campaigns. The Regimental Band was formed at about the same time and consisted initially of 35 musicians. There is a fine tradition in the British
Army of bands providing musical support to troops on active service. It engenders a unique espirit-de-corps and during both World Wars the Band regularly travelled to active service areas in order to give morale-boosting performances to the troops. During World War II in particular, the commitments of the Band had so intensified that its strength
was increased to 65 musicians.
The Band of the Irish Guards has toured extensively over the years and is making its debut tour of the United States of America in 2010. It was in Japan where the band was accorded the unique honor of being the first band ever to play in the Imperial Palace in the presence of the Empress and the 2 Crown Princesses.
With a current establishment of 49 musicians the band has a variety of professional ensembles that include a Concert Band, Marching Band, Salon Orchestra, Dance Band, Fanfare Trumpeters and several other smaller ensembles. The band's main duty is to play, in turn with the other 4 Foot Guards Bands, for the Mounting of The
Queen's Guard at Buckingham Palace and for state ceremonial occasions and public duties such as Royal Weddings and of course, The Queen's Birthday Parade.
The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders came into being in 1881 with the amalgamation of two distinguished Scottish regiments which had been formed during the reign of George III: The 91st Argyllshire Highlanders and the 93rd Sutherland Highlanders. The 91st Highlanders was formed in 1794 when the Duke of Argyll was requested
by George III to raise a Regiment of foot soldiers for Foreign Service. Their colors carry four different scrolls from South Africa, a unique distinction in the British Army.
The 93rd Highlanders was formed in 1799. Britain was once again at war with France and General Wemyss, a nephew of the Earl of Sutherland, was authorized to raise a regiment of foot soldiers. The regiment was raised from tenants of the Earl of Sutherland and from the tiny hamlets and parishes of the Country of Sutherland.
Since 2002 the Battalion has served in Iraq, Bosnia, Belize, Kenya and recently returned from Helmand Province in Afghanistan, where the Pipes and Drums were deployed as part of the Heavy Machine Gun (HMG) platoon, working closely with the U.S. Marine Corps. They are due to return to Helmand Province Afghanistan in 2010.
Come early and celebrate the evening with us! We are pleased to announce that Mamie's Caf
will be open for cocktails and appetizers, two hours before the show and one hour after the show. In addition, shop for the holidays in our lobby
as we will feature some of the local Irish Shops before the show. Also, pre-show dinners in the Majestic's Patron Lounge (catered by the Altland House of Abbottstown) are available by calling Susan at 717-337-8239.
Tickets for the Irish Guards and Royal regiment of Scotland are priced from $62 to $55(taxes and fees included) for reserved seating. To purchase tickets, visit www.gettysburgmajestic.org, call 717-337-8200, or stop by the Box Office, 25 Carlisle Street, Gettysburg. The Box Office is open Monday through Saturday from Noon
until 7:30 p.m. and on Sunday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m.
The Majestic Theater at the Jennifer and David LeVan Performing Arts Center is owned and operated by Gettysburg College as a cultural resource for its students and the community.
