Swedish Tattoo, Eksjö

The pipe band had been asked to send some players to the Swedish Tattoo in Eksjö (pronounced Ekra) as part of a massed band. We would be one of the bands in the event and as such make a number of performances in the arena as well as several publicity events in the surrounding villages.

Day 1 - 24th

Early morning practice

After breakfast we had band practice to allocate formation positions and finalise the choreography for the arena (without instruments) then dressing for the first road show appearance (polo shirts and kilts).

Nässjö publicity show

We were deposited by the coaches next to the main town square then ushered off for lunch in a hotel on the opposite side.

During lunch it had started to drizzle outside, so we hung around until start time before sauntering over to the busses and getting equipment out. At 2pm and in a muddle, we formed up with Reading at one end and Hampshire at the other with drums in-between. Everyone in a crescent shape on the edge of the square facing the centre.

The audience was gathered under the trees in the middle with a lot of umbrellas.

We played a number of sets based around the show performance, then added in a solo set from Reading and one from Hampshire with Amazing Grace in between as well as Highland Laddie, and Battle of the Somme for the dancers.

At the end we fell out onto the bus to dry out.

Day 2 - 25th

Morning band rehearsal

Into the town for 10am and our rehearsal of the band slot. We had a couple of runs through of each segment - we would come in from the entrance as two sections one after the other, then wheel around to face the main stand, with the two sections separating to line up side by side (position 1) playing the march on set (Rustic Bridge, Erin's Shore slow then fast, Rainbow County, Bluebells of Scotland, and Killiecrankie)
Stopping for the slow tune then marching around in two circles (one each side to come back to position 1). Immediately then the pipe ranks sliding out to form a V to each side (position2).
Being in position 2 for the end of the march on set. A pause and into Moonstar, and immediately into the dance set (Loch Lomond, I Love a Lassie, Stop your Tickling Jock).
At the start of the form up set (10th HLI Crossing the Rhine) we slid back to position 1 before cutting it short.
Finally counter march and wheeling to join together again leaving (out the entrance) using No Awa to bide awa. This was a mess as no one knew when to stop as we left, and would have to work on this.

Afternoon finale rehearsal

The finale had also a need to coordinate the bands arriving and dissipating (3pm). We would come in pipes down and line up beside one of the brass bands, then others beside us.
Next tune - 79th Farewell to Gibraltar played with the brass. then we tried a hymn that failed and the pipes were dropped from that section.
Then into the next part for singing/ trumpet salutes etc., up to the national anthem.
Then finally everyone left in turn (we were the last and played out to Black Bear and Scotland the Brave, going out the exit (this time) and down the road to the coaches.

Evening dress rehearsal

We got ready for the evening performance/ dress rehearsal/ invitation evening in the wedding venue behind the church (we were allocated a room upstairs sharing with a brass band). We were in day jackets, but most of the others were in No.1 uniforms and needed a lot of time to get ready. This was a lot of waiting aroudn for our turn - we went up to the entrance for 8:30pm.
Our set started around 9:10 and followed our plans - a little bit rough with ragged starts and stops. Afterwards we had to wait down the road for the finale. In at our alloted turn and through the program leaving to the exit as the last band. Finishing beside the wedding venue other side.

Day 3 - 26th

Morning city march

The first event of the day (11am) was a publicity march through the town. We lined up as one band in 5 ranks. Down the road to the main square playing Green Hills set. In the square (gates open to the public) wheeling into the centre then playing the main show from Moonstar.
We left the arena playing Scotland the Brave and Rowan Tree, continuing down the main street (one minor issue as it narrowed and we had to drop to 2 ranks then back to 5 causing a huge traffic jam then spaces). The final counter march was a nightmare but we managed through it.

Evening Performance

First main performance was similar to the dress rehearsal, however it was damp and so the feather bonnets were swapped for glengarries. Otherwise our set exit was slightly better but not polished yet. The Hampshire band played an additional set in the hotel behind the main stand.

Day 4 - 27th

Sävsjö publicity march

Another march to advertise the show, in a nearby town. We were dropped just outside the main square and formed up in our main performance groups. Then up the cobbled street to the main square (playing Green Hills set).
In the square we repeated our performance as of the previous publicity show, only this time the dancers had some "canned" music (Highland Laddie, and Battle of the Somme). We left to Scotland the Brave and Rowan Tree.

Matinee Performance

Second main performance was similar but more polished than the first - it was also very warm especially for those in full dress. Otherwise our set exit was slightly better but still some ragged bits. The other bands were definitely more polished and also more disciplined than us - always in ranks and also checking each other's dress before entering.

Evening Performance

Final performance and probably the best one, all to plan even the exit was sorted out. After the finale we continued down the main street to a bar and played outside it for some more tunes. The Drum majors went for a farewell event, Hampshire band went off for a wedding party whilst we played. We played Green Hills set, Battle of the Somme(for the dancers), Highland Laddie (for the dancers), Amazing grace, Old Lang Syne, Highland Cathedral. and some Redding set. then off for the coaches back to the barracks.