The Military Music: Oman and the World 2024 Tattoo in the marbled Maidan of the Royal Opera House Muscat bore witness to the tremendously hard work and dedication of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, in collaboration with the ROHM front-of-house staff. The logistics of marshalling eight branches of military bands, two guest troupes, plus the lighting, sound, film crews, and stewards needed for such an undertaking are nothing short of astounding. Added to this was the extra tight security required for the safety of audiences last Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, for which tiered seating had taken a week to erect. The result was truly impressive and must have filled the hearts of all attendees with a deep sense of pride and admiration. 6,600 tickets were sold out well in advance, and each evening saw the stands bursting to capacity.
As ever, the opening and closing ceremonies were awe-inspiring in their precise coordination of all the bands taking part. The discipline required to execute the result is an enigma to mere mortals, yet each year HM’s forces seem to outdo themselves for sheer brilliance and accuracy. This year’s visiting bands were from Jordan and Austria.
For a full 45 minutes before the show began, audiences were entertained by the Caribbean sounds of the Steel Band and Military Choir conducted by Lennox Jordan and the Jazz Big Band under Douglas Hill.
The Military Band of the Royal Air Force Oman kicked off proceedings, entering the arena from two ends in their petrol-blue uniforms and matching tartan, to accompany the National Anthem.
The rousing opening fanfare was performed by the colourful Combined Bands in perfect, synchronised formation. ‘The Resilient March’, composed by former leader Darroll Barry—dearly remembered and much missed—opened the marching display, followed by a Traditional March, ‘Chanting Pipes’. They marched off to ‘Mistral’ by contemporary British composer, Eric Whitacre, arranged by Barry.
The Scottish heritage of the Combined Pipes and Drums Display quickly became apparent: the men and women wore delightfully colourful tartans as they performed two syncopated, Traditional Dances of Dhofar. The drum major twirled his mace during Traditional Dances of Scotland, including a March by composer, George Johnston, and drum sticks were whirling during a Highland Fling: Strathspey (dotted 4/4 rhythm) and Interlude Reel arranged by Alan Johnston.
The first guests of the night were the Jordanian Armed Forces Band, founded in 1921. In Arabic headscarves with a handful of women – including the drum major herself, swinging her mace - they marched in formation, fairly dancing to the lively, rhythmic Jordanian Folksongs arranged by Col. Al Akhras. It concluded with his original Bolero composition: a slow and lyrical, hymn-like tribute, “Oman, the Land of Glory”, which received rapturous applause, marching off to the Jordanian National Song, “Ya Jaishana Arabi”.
Men of the inter-service Military Drum Corps, Combined Band Display was, as usual, a highlight of the Omani presentation. Dazzling in their seven contrasting uniforms, their footwork and stick dexterity are legendary. Exactly synchronised steps, and swinging colours (flags), their performance was captivating, enhanced by the inclusion of eight xylophones and metallophones, wheeled on by the percussionists who would add the melodic dimension to John Williams’, ‘Star Wars’ arrangement.
The second guest, Gardemusik Military Band of Austria, brought a typically Viennese soundworld with them. Some especially good trumpet players featured in Dobes’ Gieslingen ‘Oompah’ March. Their choreography was impeccable, with complex patterns and intricate footwork as they marched forward and backward, slowly then faster, in four-block formation to some Austrian classics. Next came Strauss’s beloved, ‘Blue Danube Waltz’, which everyone adored with its slow introduction, in Anton Sollfelner’s beautiful arrangement. The climax of their presentation was a breath-taking rendition of Adele’s James Bond title-track for, “Skyfall”, featuring a young Corporal Alexander Moser singing the solo with the velvet quality of Sinatra while projected onto the huge screen. He received enthusiastic applause, and the ensemble marched out to the well-known and popular ‘Radetzky March’.
A perennial favourite is the Combined Female Military Marching Team. This year they excelled in three groups of six to Darroll Barry’s almost Broadway score, “Ladies Hup” played by the Big Band on stage, with dance-like dressage steps, crossing feet, and impressive, glamorous, Hollywood slick.
The huge finale began with the inter-service Military Band marching into the arena to the syncopated sound of “Garak Allah”, arranged by Said Al Noobi. The colourful massed bands were led by four female drum majors to the Slow March, “Lantern of the Opera” by Darroll Barry, beautifully played and marched, and the Scottish Folksong, “Young Lass of Achfary”, arranged by Leif Sundstrup. One should never underestimate the challenge of playing AND marching at the same time!
The remaining groups, together with Austria and Jordan, joined the Combined Band Display to the lovely sad Irish tune, “The River Suir”.
The Finale was a fine balance between choir, jazz band and massed bands in the National Song, “Omani and Proud”, by Ahmed Al Maamari. It was big and broad—an arrangement and execution to be proud of to complete the splendid spectacle of Pomp and Pride. It was followed by the Jazz Band accompanying a new arrangement of, “No Matter What” with the mellow voice of Muadh al Yahya. Gradually the brass and woodwind from the assembly joined in, with the bugles on the Galleria Terrace to complete the Finale, 2024. They marched off to, “Palace Gardens” as MC Douglas Robinson bade farewell to the Muscat community, who danced their way into the night with the strains of Lennox Jordan’s Steel Band and Douglas Hill directing the Royal Guard Big Band.
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