Warwick, Queensland, has reason to celebrate as four talented young men from the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band have secured coveted spots to perform at this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (REMT), the world’s largest event of its kind. The region is punching above its weight with four of the 75 musicians selected globally for the Tattoo’s international REMT Pipes and Drums’ band coming from Warwick. They will be part of the 700 strong cast performing 26 shows to around 9,000 people a night at Edinburgh Castle, with the show being broadcast to millions around the world later in the year.
The young men went through a two-stage video audition process, with Nic McGahan and Rory Macfarlane showcasing their skills as pipers, while Josh Hullock and Kweller Manfield demonstrating their drumming talents as tenor and snare drummers, respectively. Kweller said, “As the audition was open to all pipers and drummers from around the world, a high standard was expected, which included not only playing, but also showing I could march – there’s lots of choreography which we learn during the week of rehearsals when we arrive in Edinburgh’. He said he has ‘been blown away by the well wishes and support from people in our community who have seen media posts and come up to me, and that’s a great feeling.”
Being in a pipe band opens doors
Nic has successfully auditioned for a second year in a row for the international band as he ‘loved it so much he couldn’t wait to return.’ He said, “You can’t put a price on this experience” where he has made life-long friendships with performers from all over the world. Three of the group joined ranks with Brisbane Boys’ College Pipe (BBC) Pipe Band performing at the 2022 Tattoo. Rory has great memories from that experience and said he is honoured to be selected this time. He said; “A highlight was when you first perform each night entering through the smoke over the castle draw bridge all playing and the crowd erupts as they see and hear the roar of the massed pipes and drums – it is hard to beat.”
Josh shared that this experience will be one of the best of his life and is continually amazed, he added “That being in a pipe band opens doors you didn’t even know could be opened.” He performed with BBC in 2022 and said, “It is nerve racking initially, and in the end, you are sleeping to the sounds of piping.”
All four musicians were also members of Scots PGC College Pipes and Drums during their school years, highlighting a longstanding commitment to their musical journey from an early age. Thomas Crawford, current student from Scots PGC College, has also been selected to join the ranks of BBC Pipe Band at this years’ Tattoo. Their success underscores the supportive environment and high standard of tuition provided by both the Warwick Thistle Pipe Band and Scots PGC College. Generous sponsorship from John Dee Warwick, Club Warwick RSL and the Warwick Country Women’s Association has been instrumental in making this opportunity easier for these talented musicians. Alexander Manfield, Thistle Pipe Sergeant, said that it is heartening to see such support from the community and businesses for our local pipe band as it allows our members to open a world of performance and competition possibilities.
Main photo: Rory Macfarlane, Josh Hullock and Nic McGahan.