Basel Tattoo 2012
The Basel Tattoo was started in 2006 by the Top Secret Drum Corps. It quickly became an event of national importance and by 2012 was the world's second largest open-air tattoo (after the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo) in terms of performers and budget.
The Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City performed as part of the massed bands in the 7th Basel Tattoo, which ran for 15 shows from 13th to 21st July 2012.
We were very impressed with this tattoo. The organisation was outstanding. Everything ran like clockwork and every problem that could have arisen seemed to have been anticipated well in advance. Even more than that, all the performers (and there were over 1,000 of us) were made to feel like VIPs. We had the best accommodation the city had to offer and given a full cultural programme to keep us occupied when we were not at rehearsals or performing in the show.
This approach has paid dividends. The Tattoo has become a “must attend” event for the world's best military and civilian talent. Each year, it offers the 120,000 spectators who come to see its sell-out shows an eclectic programme based on cultural and historical themes, with magnificent choreography and stunning visuals. All this takes place in the courtyard of the historic Basel Kasrene (old barracks), situated on the left bank of the Rhine. The beautiful facade forms an impressive backdrop to the show.
Two countries were especially well-represented at this Tattoo:
Russia and New Zealand.
Basel Military Tattoo 2012 - Total Performance
The Russians delighted the crowd with their precision drill; while their tsarist era uniforms and the grand old military music, which included Preobrazhensky's March, added a touch of class. Their role in the finale was memorable, with a Russian general conducting Beethoven's 1812 Overture to mark 200 years since the victory over Napoleon.
The New Zealand Army Band was the star kiwi act. They began their marching display with a Maori challenge, and then went on to entertain the audience with their own unique blend of precision marching and music, mixed, of course, with a fair smattering of the quirky humour that has made them famous. Also worthy of mention was the Lochiel Marching Team. This Wellington based group never fails to delight the crowds wherever in the world they perform, and that was certainly the case in Basel.
The Tattoo was strenuous. With two performances on most nights, a lot of stamina was required. This would not have been a problem but for a nasty chest infection that affected much of the cast. Almost everyone in our band succumbed. However, with the assistance of the medics, we got through. The sickness was the only negative about this tattoo, but even it was unable to take away the thrill of marching through the gates of the Kaserne each night to perform on the courtyard before a sold-out house.
A great camaraderie developed between the performers of the different national groups. This was at least partly due to the cast bar, which opened after each show. It was the place where everyone could mingle, a venue where barriers broke down so that VIPs, performers, stage crew and organisers could be at ease with one another. Each night a different group from among the cast would take to the stage to showcase their talents. In this way, the universal language of music helped bring our different cultures together.
One outstanding feature of the Basel Tattoo is the massive community support. Each year, as many as 500 helpers give their time voluntarily to help run the show. Local businesses and the civic authorities also get behind the project in a big way. The high level of public enthusiasm is evident each year when the Tattoo cast parades through the streets of central Basel and the nearby German city of Freiburg im Breisgau. These street parades are held to showcase the performers to a wider audience. In 2012, around 140,000 spectators lined the streets for the march through Basel. The parade, numbering around 2,000, divided into 40 sections with the cast being joined by guest bands, dancers and other cultural groups not included in the actual Tattoo.
Our hosts went the extra mile to ensure that our stay in Basel was an experience of a lifetime, which it was. There were two day trips, one to the Swiss Alps and another spent on a chocolate and cheese trail. There was a boat trip on the Rhine, a toboggan run, visits to the zoo and the Tinguely Museum, crossbows, a guided tour of the city, the list goes on.... We also organised our own trip to the ruins of Augusta Raurica, just ten minutes east of Basel by train. It is the site of the oldest known Roman colony on the Rhine.
The members of the Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City were delighted to have participated in the 2012 Basel Tattoo. We returned to New Zealand with some great memories and a determination to return to Basel again one day.
Basel Military Tattoo Parade
Basel Tattoo Parade
The cast of over 1,000 included the following national groups:
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Ailsa Craig Highland Dancers, Scotland
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Band of Flutes and Drums and the Drill Team of the Royal Life Guards, Denmark
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Basel Tattoo Choir, Switzerland
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Basel Tattoo Garde, Switzerland
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Central Band of the Ministry of Defence, Russia
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Conscript Band, Switzerland
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Conscript Band of the Finnish Defence Forces, Finland
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Drill Team of the Presidential Regiment, Russia
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Lochiel Marching Drill Team, New Zealand
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Meiden High School Band, Japan
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Middlesex County Volunteers Fifes and Drums, U.S.A.
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New Zealand Army Band, New Zealand
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Presidential Band, Russia
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Swiss Army Strings and Rhythm Section, Switzerland
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Top Secret Drum Corps, Switzerland
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102 REME Pipes & Drums, England
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Auckland Police Pipe Band, New Zealand
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Drums and Pipes of the Aberdeen Universities’ Officers Training Corps, Scotland
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Pipes and Drums of Christchurch City, New Zealand
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Pipes & Drums of the Royal Air Force, Scotland
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Pipes & Drums of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards, Scotland
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Stuart Highland Pipe Band, U.S.A.
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Swiss Highlanders, Switzerland
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Transvaal Scottish Pipes & Drums, South Africa