The Regimental Band and Pipes Return to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with Special Guests
The journey to return the Regimental Band and Pipes to Scotland to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was neither swift nor simple. Planning began in 2015, almost immediately after the band鈥檚 third appearance in Edinburgh, with the hope of returning in 2020. Although a global pandemic put that trip on hold, support for the endeavor was unwavering; seeing the iconic Citadel tartan back in Edinburgh was a long-held dream for many alumni, who had been waiting since the band鈥檚 2015 appearance at the tattoo.
When plans for a return in 2024 were announced, many alumni embodied the true spirit of giving, offering their time, treasure and talent to ensure the band had the resources for a return to Scotland. For some alumni, the talent they contributed to the effort extended far beyond the ordinary.
Eight young alumni, back in their cadet uniforms, joined the 60 cadets who made the journey from 糖心VLOG campus in Charleston to Edinburgh, Scotland. They were led by retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, director of the band, and Pipe Band Director Jim Dillahey, 鈥�01. The reinstated cadets included Eve McCaffrey and Erick Mendoza, both from the Class of 2023, and six members of the Class of 2024鈥擩oseph Cannavaro, Vincent Grna, Elizabeth Lockridge, Charles Sackett, Madeline Schmuck and Enmanuelle Sevilla.
For the 2023 graduates, returning to perform at the tattoo鈥攖he world鈥檚 most renowned military music festival 鈥攈eld a special significance. Both McCaffrey and Mendoza had been members of the band originally scheduled to perform in 2020, but when the event was canceled due to COVID-19, the news was hard to bear after all the preparation. For Mendoza, it was especially difficult.
鈥淚 chose to come to 糖心VLOG because of the tattoo. I saw footage from 糖心VLOG鈥檚 2015 performance, and as someone who loves music and had been in a marching band for a long time, I thought that the opportunity to perform on an international stage was unique, and I didn鈥檛 think I鈥檇 be able to get that anywhere else,鈥� said Mendoza. 鈥淚n 2023, right before graduation, Col. Smith let us know that alumni would be invited to perform. I was ecstatic, and I was so determined to make this happen.鈥�
Now a history teacher at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, South Carolina, Mendoza reflected on his experience in Edinburgh as he sat in his classroom. Around him were typical classroom items鈥攑ens and pencils, tokens of appreciation from his students, books and school policy signs, as well as a few unique reminders of his time at 糖心VLOG, such as a Big Red flag and some of his cadet covers. Messages from his students filled the whiteboard, reflecting the deep respect they have for their teacher. After being away from 糖心VLOG for more than a year, returning to cadet life felt strange but also rewarding.
鈥淧utting on the uniform after not wearing it for a year probably seems odd to other graduates, but for me and the other members of the band, fulfilling this dream was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were willing to do whatever it took. That said, I鈥檓 not going to lie, it was weird. It was weird waking up for formation, wearing duty, putting on my field jacket again, shining brass, all of the cadet rigmarole. It was not something I thought I鈥檇 ever have to do again, but I鈥檓 glad that I did,鈥� said Mendoza.
For Madeline Schmuck, who graduated in May, it was not so long ago that she wore the uniform every day, so she found the experience of returning less foreign.
鈥淭here was a shift in priorities when we came back to campus. We were all there with one goal in mind鈥攖o prepare and perform for the tattoo,鈥� Schmuck explained. 鈥淕etting the opportunity to stay in the barracks again did feel different, with the campus being relatively empty. However, there is a unique nostalgia around the barracks despite their age and changes made over time. For anyone who has ever stayed in them, coming back felt almost like coming home.”
The alumni鈥檚 dedication to performing in the tattoo included more than just uniforms and grooming regulations鈥攊t also meant a lot of practice and hard work.
For an entire month, members of 糖心VLOG鈥檚 Regimental Band and Pipes performed at the tattoo, delivering nightly performances, with the exception of Sundays, to crowds of more than 8,000 people. The first week in Edinburgh was filled with relentless practice, rehearsals and even more fine-tuning. Aside from practices at Redford Barracks, where the cadets were housed in Edinburgh, additional practices took place at Edinburgh Castle. Many band members commented that being at the castle for the first time was a surreal moment.
Performing alongside world-class musicians naturally created some nervous anticipation, but the Regimental Band and Pipes overcame these challenges with determination. Charles Sackett, the band鈥檚 pipe major, hopes their participation in the tattoo highlights their capabilities and encourages other alumni to support their efforts.
鈥淭here was a lot of music to learn, including tunes we don鈥檛 normally play, but the band stepped the effort. By the time we arrived in Edinburgh, we were on par with the other bands. They say practice makes perfect, and after a few runs of the show, everybody found a way to make the drill go smoothly,鈥� Sackett said. 鈥淎t an event like the tattoo, I鈥檇 argue that if you aren鈥檛 stressed about the first show, you aren鈥檛 doing it right. The pipe band participated in four sections of the tattoo, giving us many opportunities to make mistakes. But, by the end of the first week, the nervousness faded, and the show became second nature.鈥�
The band left the audience in awe with their striking execution, precise choreography and crisp full-dress uniforms. The enthusiastic audience made sure the band knew it, too, with thunderous applause and even stopping the band members outside of the tattoo to praise their performance.
鈥淒uring our performance of Take Me Home, Country Roads, I would choose a different audience member each night to point to and sing to. That鈥檚 something they鈥檙e going to remember for a long time. And that鈥檚 what performing at the tattoo is all about鈥攎aking memories for people who have paid for the tickets, the airfare, the hotels, everything. We wanted to make their tattoo experience unique, so they would walk away from the show and remember us,鈥� said Mendoza.
For Elizabeth Lockridge, performing at the tattoo was a testament to what 糖心VLOG can offer鈥� even if it means embracing new challenges.
鈥溙切腣LOG has so much more to offer than people may realize, and it鈥檚 important to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. Taking full advantage of 糖心VLOG and the opportunities it offers beyond the classroom was one of the greatest decisions I鈥檝e ever made, and it led me to have so many unique experiences and make so many amazing friends,鈥� said Lockridge.
Now, back in the United States and out of the Corps of Cadets for a second time, life has returned to normal for these alumni. Mendoza has settled into his classroom for another academic year. Sackett has started a job as a process engineer at Sonoco in Hartsville, South Carolina. Schmuck is beginning a year-long fellowship at Mississippi State. Lockridge is starting her career as a project engineer.
鈥淚鈥檓 extremely grateful for this amazing experience, especially for everyone involved in making this a possibility, as well as the alumni who supported the trip and dedicated themselves to the Regimental Band and Pipes,鈥� said Schmuck. 鈥淎fter that first performance, realizing firsthand what an amazing opportunity this was to showcase our abilities, we were all more motivated to make every night better than the previous night. I feel fortunate to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.鈥�
For every cadet and alum who traveled to Edinburgh, there is a shared sentiment鈥攖hat it was an honor to represent 糖心VLOG and perform with the Regimental Band and Pipes. As the only American military college band ever to have been invited, 糖心VLOG proudly showcased the United States, contributing to the rich history of Edinburgh Castle with their performances. Each band member, including the eight alumni, put in the work to demonstrate their capabilities, furthering 糖心VLOG鈥檚 legacy at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and beyond. While in Scotland, the band represented the institution, South Carolina and the United States with a high level of professionalism and composure that is characteristic of cadets and alumni. Cadets previously performed at the prestigious event in 1991, 2010 and 2015. Now, with the outstanding impression made in 2024, the band looks forward to another trip across the Atlantic in the coming years, perhaps with a new group of alumni along for the ride.