FTAB

10,701 Views | 32 Replies | Last: 9 yr ago by 74OA
74OA
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Ever since I attended the terrific Royal Military Tattoo at Edinburgh Castle years ago, I've always wanted the FTAB to go show them how it's really done. Probably a forlorn hope on my part.......

http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/
74OA
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74OA
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74OA
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Apparently, the Citadel's band has twice represented the US in Edinburgh and is invited again in 2015......

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2014/08/prweb12070387.htm
Montgomery Burns
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That's a really cool event, thanks for posting videos!

I'm sure it has something to do with the incredible cost it takes to take FTAB anywhere.
Warrior 66
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I have never heard of this event, but after watching the videos, I assume the Citadel got invited (again) because they have a drum and bagpipe Corps as part of their band. The Summerall Guards, also a Citadel organization similar to the RVs, wear kilts as well.

I'm no expert on Scottish culture, but my assumption is that The Citadel band gets invited because they have uniforms and instruments that are uniquely Scottish as part of their organization. That is an assumption ONLY, as I have absolutely NO knowledge of this event, nor of how bands get invited to participate.

Rest assured that IF the Aggie Band ever got invited to participate in this event (and I have NO idea WHY they would, given the uniquely Scottish flavor of this event), we would find a way to take the Aggie Band to it.

Thanks for your support of our Aggie Band and our Corps! Gig 'em!
JABQ04
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We did an event my fish year (fall 2000) with the pipes and drums of the Black Watch at Reed. We performed then they performed. I enjoyed it.
74OA
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Sir--Although hosted in Scotland and having a distinctly Highlands flavor, the Tattoo is an international event with bands and performers from all over the globe. It has included such disparate performances as Maori warrior dancers, Australian drum lines, Russian Army singers and marching bands of all descriptions, for example. The only real requirement is a military element, not a Scots element, although the Citadel cleverly plays up that connection to their advantage.

As far as getting the FTAB an invitation goes, the Tattoo has to be approached like any other prestigious fora and convinced that we are a good fit. They are unlikely to come looking for us since they have no dearth of interested parties. As the video embedded in the Citadel article points out, the payoff comes from the extensive international exposure and prestige that accrues to their university and corps. Perhaps reaching out to the Tattoo's organizers and inviting a representative over as a guest of the Corps to watch the Band perform this fall might be a good start towards getting an invite.

Anyway, it's a bit galling that the Tattoo's 100 million global TV audience might view the Citadel's unit as the very best military marching band in the U.S., don't you think? V/R--'74

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Royal_Edinburgh_Military_Tattoo

Warrior 66
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Thanks 740A. As I said before, I know nothing about this event, but will look into it more now. My assumption (obviously a bad one) was that it was a predominantly Scottish event. Now that I know its NOT, we'll look into it and learn more about it. I make no promises about the Aggie Band going, but its worth looking into. I still argue that The Citadel's "IN" to this event was their Scottish ties, uniforms, and bagpipes, but I'll still learn more about this event and see what, if any, opportunity there might be for the Aggie Band.

Thanks again for the info and for your love of our Corps. Gig 'em!
Rock1982
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The Edinburgh Tattoo is a wonderful event. I made it there a couple of times while stationed in the UK.

And like so many other Ags, I immediately thought how cool it would be to have the Aggie band there.
bigpoppaf204
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My wife and I are going this year and I have also thought it would be great exposure for A&M for the FTAB to be there.
BigJim49 AustinNowDallas
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In 48 or 49 the Corps for a while imitated the British marching style - swinging arms more, stomping on halt

or parade rest, and attention. It was fun ! And the sound of a few thousand Corpsmen was loud!

Been meaning to suggest this to Commandant so here it is !
Franklins
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Looks to me like there is very little room for the band to do too much other than some basic counter marches... I'd love to see what the reaction would be to the 4-way in this venue.

I would guess this would only be an upperclassmen trip due to the performance space....plus a few fish to paint yard-lines and take care of the yard markers.
74OA
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Well, it's unlikely the entire Band would go for both cost and performance space considerations. But even if just half the Band went it'd still be the largest participant. With that reduced profile, it looks to me there'd be room for crossing movements and, of course, the Band's non-stop block countermarch (or whatever it's called) would be a great fit. People around the world have no clue what a marching band is really capable of until the day the FTAB blows their minds........

BTW, participants are billeted at Redford Cavalry Barracks, so that will save considerable money. I wonder if the Commandant could convince an AF Reserve/Guard airlift unit to fly the Band over gratis as a training event, too. Also, I can't recall a venue ever that showcased A&M to 100M TV viewers in 40 countries, so you'd think the Regents would pony up some money to facilitate such a spectacular advertising coup for the University.
74OA
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I wonder if the Commandant has reached any preliminary conclusions he'd like to share?
Rabid Cougar
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Don't think there are many Highland influences here.

TwoDogs
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Was there in '06. The venue included the Army Band of Chile- not one bagpipe. The event is located on the Esplanade at the entry to[url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Royal+Mile,+Edinburgh,+City+of+Edinburgh,+UK/@55.948789,-3.1973115,104m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x4887c78f5e2951cd:0x42f82ce5672cc09e][/url] Edinburgh Castle. From the Google below it 'may' be 100yd x 35yd wide. But remember thinking would be great to see the Aggie Band here.


see Esplanade
ABATTBQ11
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We had bagpipes for formation a couple of times. One of my punch buddies fish played and they had him march up and down the hallway playing the war hymn one day during training time. Commandant79 needs to get on this and put together a bagpipes group.
74OA
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No bagpipes. Don't need 'em. Don't want 'em.
bigpoppaf204
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Just attended the Tattoo Friday night. The esplanade was big enough for the FTAB and they had several bands without the pipes. We met some Citidel alums that were supporting their band being there. My wife and I agreed that we would love to be able to do the same one of these years.
lb3
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BQ92
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I would definitely make that trip to go see it.
MidTnAg
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Will the FTAB be going to Vanderbilt?

For every away trip to MS and AL they have gone to, we have won. Fortunately, I was at those wonderful games.
74OA
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quote:
I would definitely make that trip to go see it.
If you get a chance, do go--it's worth it--and OBTW, Scotland is pretty cool, too.
74OA
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Here's the 2016 program overview of foreign participants: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/the-experience/programme-2016
CanyonAg77
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As an old BQ, I have to say I appreciate the support and the appreciation.

Also as an old BQ, I'd like to mention what an absolute beating a trip like this would be. Can you imagine what a pain it would be taking 300-400 BQs overseas? Additional practice, travel time, travel expense, giving up school days, giving up personal time. etc. etc. etc.

While it's great to be a BQ, march on Kyle Field, and be the center of attention at parades, etc.........it's also tiring when someone decides there needs to be a yell practice every time a new crapper is opened on campus.
74OA
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Very true, 77, but when in its history has the Band had a chance to perform for a 100 million TV audience in 40 countries worldwide? Wouldn't it be worth the extra effort and pain to achieve such an incredible marketing bonanza for the Band, Corps and University?

Take a look at my previous posts. No way the entire band would fit at Edinburgh, so the 400 number is out right off the bat. Even half of the band would still be the biggest representative there, though. As I also posted, the participants are put up in a military barracks, so that will save hotel money. There's also venues for discounted transportation and I think the Regents could be counted on to pony up funds to support such a unique marketing opportunity if approached correctly. Of course the Band's annual workload would have to be adjusted to accommodate such a major commitment, but participation would be just a one-time-thing and I doubt you would hear many objections from cadets at having a chance to both travel to Scotland and participate in such a prestigious event.

I agree it wouldn't be easy, but anything worth doing is rarely easy. This is an opportunity for the Band to shine on a global stage and will take energy and out-of-the-box thinking to take advantage of it. I'm hoping the Commandant will tell us one way or the other once he's had a chance to "look into it" and weighed the pros and cons, as promised. Whatever he decides, of course, is the last word.........
MidTnAg
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FTAB question: Is the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band going to either the Mississippi or Vanderbilt game this year?

I am going to the Vandy game for certain and will go to the MS game if the FTAB will be there.
74OA
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Still hoping to hear one way or the other.....
Trident15
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From my understand the band is done traveling for this season. Don't quote me on it though
Ark03
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quote:
FTAB question: Is the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band going to either the Mississippi or Vanderbilt game this year?

I am going to the Vandy game for certain and will go to the MS game if the FTAB will be there.
From the TABA website:
quote:
The Fightin' Texas Aggie Band will be attending 9 games this fall, missing the Ole Miss, Vanderbilt and LSU games. Below is the complete football schedule with games that the Aggie Band will be attending highlighted in bold:

  • 9/5/2015 - Arizona State (Houston, TX)
  • 9/12/2015 - Ball State (College Station)
  • 9/19/2015 - Nevada (College Station)
  • 9/26/2015 - Arkansas (Arlington, TX)
  • 10/3/2015 - Mississippi State (College Station)
  • 10/17/2015 - Alabama (College Station)
  • 10/24/2015 - Ole Miss (Oxford, MS)
  • 10/31/2015 - South Carolina (College Station)
  • 11/7/2015 - Auburn (College Station)
  • 11/14/2015 - Western Carolina (College Station)
  • 11/21/2015 - Vanderbilt (Nashville, TN)
  • 11/28/2015 - LSU (Baton Rouge, LA)

74OA
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Eric Smith '87, former Band commander, now senior advisor to SECDEF. I bet he could arrange gratis transportation to the Tattoo as some sort of training event for a military airlift unit.

http://www.marinecorpstimes.com/story/military/pentagon/2015/12/01/carter-taps-marine-general-top-military-adviser/76627904/
74OA
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.......just thought I'd give this pot one more bang.
74OA
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Ok, so I'm stubborn (optimistic?)......
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