The band faced other challenges during the trip such as a demanding schedule, unpredictable and often wet weather, and constant maintenance of their uniforms.
"It’s obvious from the response of the crowd, because when the crowd is louder than the band, you know you’re doing something right." "I think the unit is simply tremendous right now," said Streeter, who has helped prepare his Marines over past weeks for the trip. The band left the field each time to “The Marine’s Hymn” and were always nearly drowned out by the cheers and applause from the audience. They also were part of a 1.5-mile parade, which had thousands of people lining the streets and cheering them on.Įach song the Marines played, both for the Tattoo and mornings, had the crowd on their feet for standing ovations. The Combat Center Band, who were said to be the talk of the show last year, changed their hit lineup to add more current, upbeat tunes and jazz numbers. The four main bands of the festival were joined together in what was called the "massed bands,” which marched together and played traditional Scottish and Irish songs such as “Scotland the Brave,” “Flowers of the Forest,” “The Black Bear,” “Prince Edward Isle” and “Amazing Grace.”Įach of the bands also had their own individual field shows during the evening Tattoo and the morning concerts.
"They have the highland games and they still wear their kilts and respect their traditions." "I see it very much in Scottish and Irish heritage as they live by their traditions and what came before so similarly to the way the Marine Corps does," Streeter continued. "The heritage, the different groups coming together from other countries is great. Joe Streeter, Combat Center Band drum major. "What makes Estes Park a unique experience is the international flavor of it," said Staff Sgt. For every outdoor performance they had at the festival, they were met with rain. The Combat Center Band, who traveled nearly 1,000 miles to the festival, had 12 major performances during their stay in Estes Park, almost exclusively in their crisply-pressed blue-white dress uniforms. The rain brought through to the area by what was tropical storm John in the Pacific Ocean posed a new challenge for the ceremonies this year.ĭespite the rain, which many said only added to the traditional atmosphere of the British Isles, attendance was not down as patrons showed up in rain gear for the event, festival coordinators said. It is a celebration of Celtic heritage attended by about 200,000 people each year, and is complete with bagpipes, meat pies, haggis’, highland sports and kilts.
The highland festival is one of the largest of its kind in the country. The Combat Center Band is the only musical unit to be invited back for more than two consecutive years. The 3rd Army Infantry Regiment "Old Guard" Fife and Drum Corps was the only other band besides the Marines to return to the festival from last year. and Canada in the nightly "Tattoo" field concerts, as well as daily morning ceremonies. Serving as the anchor band for ceremonies, Combat Center Marines were joined by three other musical units from around the U.S. Making their sixth annual appearance, the Combat Center Band performed four days and nights of concerts and parades as part of the 30th annual Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colo., Sept.
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