Local cadets participate in International Tattoo
Anyone from Pictou County who went to see the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in Halifax this week may have spotted some familiar faces.
Six cadets who are members of Pictou County groups had the opportunity to perform in the show.
They were: Sasha Maclean, who is a part of 397 Air Cadets in Trenton; Daniel Ross from 374 Air Cadets in Westville; and New Glasgow 219 Army cadets Keigan Smith, Madison Chace and Charlie Delaney.
Henry Chiasson-Gottschall is an Antigonish resident who is a member of the New Glasgow group.
Chace is 16 and is entering Grade 11 this fall at Northumberland Regional High. Besides being a member of 219 Army Cadet Corps in New Glasgow, she is also a member of the Heatherbell Pipes and Drums in Pictou and travels to Truro to be a part of the Nova Scotia Cadet Regional Band.
She took some time to answer some questions for The News about what the experience was like.
Q: What is the process for being selected to be in the Tattoo? What was the experience like?
A: The process for me as a cadet band piper started with getting an application from the Nova Scotia Tri-Service Cadet Band. The interested cadet after filling out their personal information turns the forms over to their commanding officer who then does a letter of recommendation in support of the cadet and turns the application in for review. …Those first days and rehearsals I felt very nervous and overwhelmed, but with such an amazing group of people there to support us, it didn’t take long before I was able to begin enjoying all
the incredible things going on around me.
Q: What was your favourite part?
A: On a personal level, my favourite part was the people – being with friends who are like family and making new ones, and meeting people from all over the world. As a member of the pipes and drums, the group that I got to know well was the Scotch College Band from Australia. They were wonderful.
My favourite part of this year’s show itself was actually two scenes. The first was the tribute to this year being the 100th anniversary of the Halifax Explosion. The scene and the special tribute to the firefighters, who to this day is the largest number of firefighters lost in a single event in Canadian history, touched me very much. As the daughter and granddaughter of firefighters, I’ve always held a special place in my heart for those who do the job.
Second was the tribute to the 100th anniversary of the battle of Vimy Ridge. In May of this year several members of the 219 Army Cadet Corps, including myself, had the trip of a lifetime and traveled to Vimy. I always knew what an important moment in our history it was and the great sacrifices that were made by our soldiers. But to walk the actual ground, I can’t even explain how it touches you on a whole other level. So seeing how beautifully the moment was honoured on the Tattoo stage brought tears to my eyes no matter how many times I watched.
Q: Is this something you ever thought of being part of before? A: I have dreamed about
being a member of the Tattoo for a long time. Having a great grandfather, grandfather, grandmother, aunt and dad involved with the military at some level has taught me so much about the pride. Also, my uncle was an army cadet and member of the Tattoo in the past. He has been an inspiration when it came to playing the pipes. The bagpipes I play are his, so this wasn’t their first trip to the show. For the rest of my life the fact that I can say I made it and was a cast member of the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo for 2017 during Canada’s 150th birthday will be an honour and dream come true.
Q: What would you recommend to other youth who want to take part in future Tattoos?
A: If this experience is something that you want to work towards, prepare. Prepare yourself and work hard. Although there are magical moments of fun, do not under estimate the work that will have to happen to get you there and will be part of those days. It has been a real eye-opener being here and experiencing it. ,Start your learning early of music and practice lots. And if you are very lucky you will have strong leaders you can turn to either through the cadet program and/or musically. Listen to them, learn from them. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or for help. It is a rewarding, beautiful experience and will be worth it in the end. Thank you to those who supported me in a positive way to get me here.