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  • The Lutcher Theater presents the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch 3rd Battalion, The Royal Regiments of Scotland and the Band of the Scots Guards at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 20. Courtesy photo

    Black Watch

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February 15, 2013

Concert celebrating English, Irish, Scottish and Welsh heritage set for Lutcher Theater

Special to The Leader The Orange Leader

ORANGE — The legendary Pipes, Drums and Highland Dancers of Scotland's Black Watch join forces with the Band of the Scots Guards for a concert celebrating the music of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 at the Lutcher Theater. Balcony tickets are still available ranging in price from $20-$35 and can be purchased at www.lutcher.org or by contacting the Lutcher Theater Box Office at 409-886-5535.

The Black Watch is the most famous and adored bagpipe band in the world. The joint concert with the renowned musicians of the Band of the Scots Guards will feature a unique blend of music, pageantry and history highlighted by traditional folk music and military tunes that convey the rich legacy of the British Isles. The stirring sound of bagpipes, drums, band music and all the color and pageantry of the British military will appeal to the whole family.

The Black Watch, 3rd Battalion The Royal Regiment of Scotland, is a light infantry battalion, which forms one of seven battalions within The Royal Regiment of Scotland. The Battalion traces its roots from The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment) and has a long and distinguished history dating back to 1739. The Black Watch gained a number of battle honors throughout this time, and has fought in major battles from the Peninsular War to the Iraq War.

With such a rich heritage, The Royal Regiment of Scotland has inherited a wealth of Regimental music for both the Pipes and Drums and the Military Band. Music is an essential part of Regimental life. Each battalion of the Regiment has its own Band of Pipes and Drums manned by soldiers who receive their musical training at the Army School of Bagpipe Music and Highland Drumming in Edinburgh.

Since 1745, the Black Watch's music has inspired troops and intimidated adversaries. Today, in addition to serving as musicians, the Scottish pipers and drummers serve in the elite British Army machine gun platoon.

In conflict situations the military bands’ primary role is in support of the Army Medical Services (e.g. Iraq in 2003), importantly the Band’s musical contribution supports the moral component of fighting power.

The Band of the Scots Guards boasts many of the finest instrumentalists and soloists to be found in the military services today. These musicians have appeared at many of the top concert venues in the United Kingdom and the world. The Scots Guards were originally formed in 1642 by King Charles and are currently stationed in London with duties including the daily Changing of the Guard at Buckingham Palace.

Throughout history, Scottish bagpipers have lead soldiers into battle. This practice was banned in 1915 after many musicians were killed and injured. That ban didn't stop bagpiper Bill Millin from leading troops into the D-Day battle at Normandy, World War II.

This event is sponsored locally by the Nelda C. and H.J. Lutcher Stark Foundation and by the Orange County Commissioners Court and Hotel Tax Committee. The Frances Ann Lutcher Theater for the Performing Arts is located at 707 Main, Orange, Texas.

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