S:  February 16, 2010 is a memorable day for myriad reasons.  There are the little reasons like knowing I could go snowmobiling for 3.5 days and still feel good at my ripe old age of 41.  But the biggest reason is that this was the day my son, Austin, decided that he would like to learn how to play the bagpipes. On this beautiful Tuesday evening we attended the breathtaking performance of  “The Band of the Irish Guards” at our downtown Performing Arts Center and during the performance he decided that this is what he would like to do.

H:  The music was breath taking.  Some people even came into the isle to play violin etc…  It’s really amazing how the bagpipe works. After hearing the bagpipe I thought this would be an awesome instrument to play.    Other than the bagpipe there were trumpets drums and so much more.

S:  Formed 110 ten years ago at the request of Queen Victoria The Band of the Irish Guard has finally made its way to our country.  This 49-member troupe was perfectly tuned and precise in their pageantry on our stage.  What a sight to behold!  What a sound to hear.  At one point Austin even asked if some of the music was not live.  Isn’t it hard to believe that all that magic was, indeed, coming from all the instruments on stage?

H:  Yes it really was.  It sounded too good to be true.  But there they are playing away.  A part that really stood out to me was when they were dancing around the swords.  They weren’t even looking at them (their feet). It was so cool how they did not even tap one of them. 

S:  Dancing by soldiers in kilts and marchers in royal red blazers with the tall black bear fur hats wowed me beyond belief.  One of the most touching parts of the show (and there were many) was when the band played music from branches of our military.  An announcement asked that veterans (or anyone affiliated with a particular branch) please stand when their theme song was played.  It filled my heart with pride for our country and love for our soldiers who have fought (and continue to fight) for freedom.

H:  That part brought a tear to my eye when I was thinking what they had/have to go through.

S:  Yes, many times I had tears streaming down my face.  But many times I was stomping my feet, nodding my head to the beats and glancing at my son and the audience around me to see if they were just as caught up in the performance as I was; they were.  I wish there had been more young people in attendance.  At first glance it would seem that young people might not enjoy such a show.  Austin, wouldn’t you encourage someone your age to go?

H:  I would definitely encourage young viewers to see this show.  I can’t think of a reason not to.  You may be bad at (playing) music but I guarantee you will be tapping your feet to the melody.
S:  And who knows, you (as a parent) might find yourself in my shoes looking around for someone who will teach the art of playing the bagpipe (or one of the other fine instruments on stage).  We go to our Performing Arts Center to get inspired.  Anyone can google any given show/performance.  But seeing it all live affects you for the rest of your life.  It’s live and it touches you for a lifetime