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Shaffer
07-23-02, 09:06 AM
MCLB-ALBANY - First Ozzy Osbourne, now the Albany Marine Band.

Queen Elizabeth II is expected to attend one of the performances at the
Edinburgh Military Tattoo in Edinburgh, Scotland, where the pride of Marine
Corps Logistics Base-Albany will perform. The band will be the only U.S.
representative at the tattoo, featuring 800 musicians from all over the
world.

Osbourne recently performed as part of a musical celebration of the queen's
jubilee year.

The tattoo is a military retreat ceremony that dates back centuries. It
started as a call to quarters for military personnel but also was a signal
for local pub owners to close shop.

Forty-six members of the 50-member band leave Wednesday for five weeks in
Scotland. The first performance will be Aug. 2. The band will give one
performance Monday through Friday and two on Saturdays, said Master Gunnery
Sgt. Matthew Farquhar, the bandmaster.

"This is the first time a U.S. military band has been there in 10 years,"
Farquhar said. "It's an incredible feeling."

More than 250,000 people attended last year's tattoo, said Gunnery Sgt. Sean
Wright.

"We're going to hit them with exactly what they expect when U.S. Marines
invade Europe," Farquhar said. "We're going to hit them with the tradition,
discipline and polish we're known for and complement that with some variety
and musical acumen that I don't think they're expecting."

The Albany Marine Band plans to play to impress. The set list includes
"Semper Fidelis," "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "In the Mood," "America the
Beautiful," "New York, New York," and "Marine's Hymn."

"Their hearts and souls are in this," Farquhar said of the Marine musicians.