Navy People: ADF musician's 'great time' at Military Tattoo
3 February 2010
Performing in this year’s Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo has been one of the best experiences ever for Australian Defence Force massed band member and Lynbrook musician, Able Seaman Karen Baker.
AB Baker, a clarinet player with the Royal Australian Navy Band for the past ten years, said it was great to perform in Australia for her first Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
“The RAAF’s organisation and interaction with all ranks has been outstanding. The creative ideas for the Tattoo have been very refreshing.”
“It’s been a privilege to share the stage and perform with other bands from all over the world. I’ve enjoyed reconnecting with some old friends, making new friends and to share the love of music with all the Tattoo performers,” she said.
AB Baker’s journey to Sydney’s Edinburgh Military Tattoo started in primary school.
“I developed a love of music even before starting to play the clarinet in high school.”
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a celebration of the history and pageantry of international military traditions. Broadcast to millions of people around the world, the Tattoo brings together Service, police and civilian participants from around the world.
This year’s tattoo included Australia’s Federation Guard (AFG) precision drill display, the massed Pipe Bands from the and Australia (17 pipe bands in total), the band of the Moscow Military Conservatoire, highland dancers (96 dancers from Australia and 24 from Scotland), the New Zealand Army Band, the Middlesex County Volunteers from the USA, the band of the People’s Liberation Army of China, the musical Ride by the NSW Mounted Police and Band, the Top Secret Drum Corps from Switzerland, the Trinidad and Tobago Defence Force Steel Orchestra, the King’s Guard of Norway Band and Precision Drill Team, the Armed Forces massed bands, and the massed Bands of Australian Defence Force.
The Tattoo will make a significant donation to military-related charitable causes in Australia, as it did in 2005.
