Military Musicians Appeared at the International Festival

The diversity of the international event shows clearly, that the military orchestras of seven countries debuted before the festival’s audience: the United States Army Europe Band and Chorus (USAREUR), the Austria Guard Orchestra – Vienna, the French Navy Orchestra, the Japan Air Self-Defence Force Central Band, the Scottish Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Pipers Trail, Hjaltibonhoga and the Tattoo Dance Company, and also the three representative military bands of the host country, Germany: from Berlin, from Ulm and the Bundeswehr Big Band. In addition to the military orchestras famous artists entertained the audience such as Johannes B. Kerner, the television personality, John Miles vocalist and composer and the ARD TV Dance Group.

The spectacular show, performed twice was enjoyed by an audience of more than 8000 on both occasions. The live and visual images broadcasted on the huge LED screens created a fantastic atmosphere. The image films of the different nations were shot in the given country by the producers, which were projected to prepare the orchestras’ marching in accompanied by the prelude of the world-famous Bundeswehr Big Band. Moreover, the musical drill formations of the orchestras were enhanced by the most professional light- and visual technological elements.

Conducted by Lieutenant Colonel Tibor Kovács and Major Imre Szabó, and accompanied with the contribution of the vocalist Sergeant Major László Pálinkás, the HDF BGB Central Military Band presented and represented the Hungarian Defence Forces and the Hungarian military culture, the military musical culture on the highest musical and formal level with great success. The representative historic dress uniform of the HDF BGB Central Military Band was a great hit with the audience present, and even more highlighted the values and the highly professional quality of the Band’s traditional Hungarian program.

The festival’s closing event was the joint concert of all the military bands and the performing artists, enthralling the audience with the fantastic spectacle and the musical experience. After the bands had marched in, the version of the Scottish folksong “Auld lang syne" performed at the Edinburgh Festival, Leonard Bernstein West Side Story Somewhere (Adagio), and John Miles Music were presented. Following the German Anthem, the festival was closed with the Triumphal March, getting cheers and standing ovation from the audience.