The Bermuda Islands Pipe Band, directed by Pipe Major A. David Frith, recently took part in the Nova Scotia International Tattoo - a memorable experience by any standard, which included winning a `Best Pipe Band' award. As expected, the Bermudians did their Island proud and were well received, in addition to making many friends during what proved to be an exciting and hectic schedule. Tour coordinator Adrian Cook tells the story in his own words.

For 18 days, the Bermuda Islands Pipe Band (BIPB) breathed, ate, walked, talked and slept pipe band music and Tattoo programme.

After an adventure-filled flight (up close and personal with the Newark Airport/Port Authority Fire Department), we were the first overseas group to arrive in Nova Scotia, and the very next morning we were sent to rehearsal right away.

In the first six days most bands averaged ten hours of rehearsal in one form or another, which increased to 12 to 14 hours in the two days prior to the Tattoo. It was some of the hardest work BIPB has ever done, but also some of the best and most enjoyable.

As a result of our fundraising efforts, during the rehearsal period we were able to wear five different coloured band shirts, which set us apart from the other bands, and which they immediately noticed. In fact, within two days we learned that the other bands began `making book' on what colour BIPB would wear the next day!

Our first days were spent entirely at the Canadian Forces Base Halifax, Stadacona Naval Base drill shed. There, some of us learned the true nature of marching up and down the square.

Later, we moved between Stadacona and the Metro Centre, where we merged with the other bands and groups, and began to understand how a show of this complexity is put together, and how it always changes.

Along the way we somehow managed to adopt and get adopted by the Atlantic Area Tri Service Cadets Pipes and Drums, and the BIPB looks forward to being able to assist this band in the future, somehow. Our 90-second `Bermuda Shorts' scene (calypso tunes on the pipes) proved popular with the cast and production team - even the traditionalists among them - and we came close to stealing the show (as was our plan!).

With some changes to our costume, as advised by the professional production team of the Nova Scotia International Tattoo - and under some protest from us - we ended up in green shirts, pink or yellow Bermuda Shorts, blue socks and straw Panama hats, the latter acquired by the Tattoo. In the end, as dumb as we felt, I must admit we looked good.

We learned a lot about show business, and in particular about the value of time. We are now also "recorded artists", having been included in the recorded CD version of the 2003 Tattoo.

The uniqueness of our act caught the attention of all the local papers as well, being featured or mentioned no less than twice in the city's largest newspaper, the Herald-Chronicle.

A "variation" on the Bermuda Shorts scene, which involved dropping our kilts to reveal the shorts, was given a polite but quick thumbs down by the producers for fear of upsetting the more conservative and traditional types who support the show.

However, they did permit us one `special' version of `Bermuda Shorts' on the second dress rehearsal night, much to the delight of the biased crowd of cast, crew and hangers-on.

We also did it later for the TV spot and it appealed directly to their sense of humour.

Crammed in between the Tattoo performances, BIPB performed three Tattoo Festival daytime shows in the City of Halifax, and one private show at the Chester Yacht Club, which we shared with the Russian Cossak State Dance Company at the behest of Bermudian expat Jay Hooper. This jaunt gave birth to an odd but close and enjoyable association between BIPB and the Russians.

Canada Day was the scene of the Canada Day parade in the town of Westville, Pictou County, Nova Scotia. At lunch we were presented with three plaques and one certificate for our participation in the parade, but the biggest surprise of all was winning one of four `Best Pipe Band' awards. BIPB gave up one of its free days for a three-minute spot on local televisions station ATV's (regional affiliate to CTV) popular `Breakfast TV' show.

In what little spare time was available, members visited Halifax places of interest, and some managed to venture as far as the famous Peggy's Cove, again in the company of the Russians. Hopefully, through the efforts of Peter Profit and the Bermuda Festival, we will be seeing the Russians again.

The BIPB held a `Bermuda Hospitality Night' in St. Mary's University Gorsebrook Student Lounge for all Tattoo participants and invited guests. There, approximately 400 new and old friends were introduced to Bermuda rum swizzle and dark `n' stormies.

Entertainment was provided by BIPB, dancers from the Russian Cossack Company, various other pipers and drummers, and even a scratch rock band comprised of three members of BIPB (Joey Cassidy, Philip Cook & William Tucker), plus two others. The band, `Live and Unrehearsed', was both born and laid to rest that night. All agreed it was the best party thrown by a Tattoo participant in many years.

As at many other major events, pin trading was fast and furious. In fact, our initial supply of around 100 Bermuda pins supplied by the Bermuda Department of Tourism was gone within days, as was a resupply of a further 100. The Nova Scotia International Tattoo (NSIT) came to an end in fine style. The BIPB pipe major and myself received the participants' plaque from the Tattoo director, Col. Ian Fraser. In turn, we presented him with a cedar plaque and a Bermuda necktie, the latter of which he immediately put on, presenting his newly-stripped NSIT tie to the guest of honour, the Canadian Federal Minister of National Defense. Those not attending the formal reception attended a cast party at the Halifax Naval base during which many hugs, tears and e-mails were exchanged.

An exhausted but proud BIPB returned to Bermuda with the knowledge of a job well done, and with Bermuda having left it's mark in Halifax and on the NSIT. I am proud of our little band, from our little island, playing with the big boys on the big stage. In this regard, the BIPB wishes our colleagues of the Band and Corps of Drums of the Bermuda Regiment `Good Luck' at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. If their tour is anything like ours, they will have a blast.