Marines

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Marines assigned to the Quantico Marine Corps Band participate in the 20th annual Virginia International Tattoo (VIT) in Norfolk, Virginia on April 17, 2016. Once a year, the VIT brings together bands and performers from across the world for a show including music, marching, and dancing. Featuring more than 1,400 participants from eight countries, military and civilian organizations perform together as a display of international culture and unity.

Photo by Cpl. Timothy A. Turner

Quantico Marine Corps Band prepares to celebrate international relations at music event

17 Apr 2017 | Jeremy Beale/Staff Writer Marine Corps Base Quantico

One of the oldest professional musical ensembles in Marine Corps history, Quantico’s very own Marine Corps Band (QMCB) will return to Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia April 27, to perform at the 21st Annual Virginia International Tattoo, a four-day event affiliated with the Virginia Arts Festival.

 

The Tattoo, established in 1997, is ranked among the top 100 events around the nation and showcases remarkable talent and traditions from around the globe.

 

Stemming from the 17th century European tradition of military drummers alerting service members that it was time to return to their barracks for the evening, the mission of Tattoo is to honor the United States military while strengthening international relations.

 

“This year Virginia International Tattoo will be a signature event in the nationwide commemoration of the World War I Centennial, marking the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entrance into the Great War,” a Tattoo press release said. “The arrival of the U.S. soldiers over there turned the tide in this devastating war and to pay homage to those who served, the Tattoo will include historical images of the first war fought in flight, moving tributes to the role of the United States and spectacular performances by marching bands and artists from World War I allies.”

 

In cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and Norfolk NATO Festival, the event will welcome more than 1,000 performers from seven nations to perform for approximately 40,000 people around the globe.

 

Performers will include France’s La Musique de l’air (Band of the French Air Force), the Singapore Armed Forces Band, United Kingdom - Queen’s Colour Squadron, 1st Battalion Scots Guards and many United States military bands, such as, U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band, U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Fanfare Trumpets, U.S. Navy Honor Guard Drill Team, U.S. Marine Corps FAST Company and U.S. Navy Fleet Forces Band.

 

QMCB, established in 1918, is a group comprised of ceremonial and concert bands equipped with an authorized strength of one officer and 50 enlisted Marines in order to provide musical support, encourage community relations, enhance troop morale and entertain audiences around the nation by performing genres from classic to contemporary renditions. QMBC also fulfills their duty as Marine riflemen.

 

At the Tattoo, QMCB will perform selections including parts of Gustav Holst’s First Suite, Tiger of San Pedro by John LaBarbera and Ralph Vaughn Williams’ English Folk Song Suite. The Rock Band will also be performing at the Hullabaloo, and the Drumline will be participating in the “DrumLine Battle” with other groups attending the Tattoo.

 

 QMCB performs at more than 350 events annually across the Eastern Seaboard and in past years performed at events such as Super Bowl XLI, the 9/11 Memorials at Carnegie Hall, Town Arts Theatre, Times Square, Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and at the Winter Garden of the World Financial Center overlooking Ground Zero.

 

QMCB considers the welcome back to Tattoo as a momentous opportunity to perform alongside international groups while representing the Marine Corps to thousands and paying tribute to the history and tradition of the military and its musical traditions.


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