The Redcoats were here

Buckingham palace guards in big black fur hats and bright red coats, some with swords, greeted patrons at the front doors last night. No, Britain hasn't started an invasion in Western New York. The guards were here to perform music.

And perform, they did - marching in unison while playing military marches, national anthems, and traditional songs from the "green and pleasant" land of England, the valleys of Wales, the highlands of Scotland and the Emerald Isle.

 

Each group of 4-5 songs was preceded by a shout of marching orders from off-stage, reminding the audience that these were serious military men.  These military men are manly enough to wear no pants. While the Irish Guards wore the red coats and black pants, the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders of the Royal Regiment of Scotland of course wear the traditional kilt and all the symbolic accessories that reflect a vast history spanning thousands of years.  It's quite something to consider that each element of the uniform is like a souvenir - from ancient tribal highland times, from golden years of the British Empire, or from more modern periods in the Regiment's history.

The grandeur of the Irish Guards' horns and the magic of the Highland pipes and drums came together to honor the national anthems of England and the USA, and perform the title song of the tour, "Hands Across the Sea" by John Philip Sousa.  The UB state police color guard even participated by bringing out a pair of flags for the national anthems. 

 

Once again, the mainstage proved its superlative acoustic quality as I could almost isolate each instrument, each precise movement of the players, and appreciate the texture of the fine musicianship on stage.  It was an immersive experience in as the evening continued with lively highland dance in military-unison performed by four kilt-clad soldiers, and players who moved through the house, and the booming voice of the narrator described what would come next.