Pipes, drums, dancers make for stirring evening

Artemus Ham Hall was alive Saturday with the sounds of pipes and drums that had roots in the 17th century and charm that was decidedly contemporary.

It was a stirring and upbeat event for those from both sides of the Atlantic.

The Regimental Band, Her Majesty's Coldstream Guards included musicians typically seen in a brass marching band. The Pipes, Drums and Dancers of the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards are true to their name, with four male, kilted dancers, several drummers and bagpipers who seemed to have nearly infinite lung capacity.

During the program, the groups performed separately and together before joining for a bright finale.

The evening opened with the Regimental Band of the Coldstream Guard's march onto the stage to "Pride and Honor" and "Salute America."

The music here was bright and heartfelt, but its action quickly highlighted one of the fundamental problems of the evening: the staging. The performers confidently marched behind their drum major, then in just a few steps, had to stop, turn and march back to where they had just been, then repeat the pattern several more times.

The sound was grand, but the formation, while appropriate for this stage, was limiting for both participants and viewers.

After several selections in a similar vein, the group marched off, and the Pipes and Drums took over.

The half-dozen or so pipers blended effortlessly with the drums for this and several other evenly matched tunes.

The drum major offered a great performance during this set, despite having to twirl essentially in the dark. Light cues seemed focused on the group instead of him.

Other highlights came from the Regimental Band's string players, who provided a wonderful waltz, and the Pipes and Drums' dancers, who created a quick, buoyant Highland fling.

After intermission, the program continued to emphasize the contributions that both the United States and the United Kingdom had made to our musical history.

"Yankee Doodle" and a stirring series of anthems for each branch of the armed forces led into the conclusion, "America the Beautiful," which could have been offered at any Fourth of July event and brought many whistles of approval.