CENTRE WELLINGTON – A group of marine musicians from North Carolina flew to Canada to team up with the local pipe band for the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games.
This will be the festival’s 79th year of embracing the township’s Scottish roots.
The 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) Band joined the festivities this past weekend and was hosted by a collaboration between the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 275 in Fergus and the Scottish festival.
“They’re not a pipe band, they’re a brass band but they bring a completely different story,” Fergus Scottish Festival board of directors’ volunteer Deb Dalziel told the Advertiser.
Dalziel originally had the idea to bring the band to a place they’ve never been but would be welcomed with open arms.
She came across the marine musicians while on a trip to Louisville, Kentucky with her husband.
The band was performing at the Kentucky Derby where Dalziel said she quickly became “intrigued” and “infatuated.”
“I just absolutely fell in love with them … when they cut loose oh my gosh they have so much fun,” she added.
Dalziel approached band director Chief Warrant Officer 2 Nathan Doggett, prompting the idea of heading across the border.
Although the group performs all over the world reaching as far as Europe; they had never been to Canada, stated Dalziel.
When she arrived back in Fergus, she began the long journey of fundraising for their accommodations.
The Legion and the Scottish games decided to also host a lunch on Aug. 9 where the band could be greeted and perform for club members, sponsors and veterans.
“The Legion was formed by veterans for veterans,” former Legion president Brian Bielby told the Advertiser.
He noted how important it is to continue hosting military-based events in Legions.
Sgt. John Shirley, left, and LCpl. Stephen Zarriello entertained guests and veterans at the Branch 275 Legion on Aug. 9. Photo by Georgia York
“There’s that quasi-military aspect to our organization and I think it’s important that that is maintained,” added Bielby.
“Anytime you can bring military into it, it is phenomenal for the Legion.”
The band performed at the opening parade of the festival and joined the Fergus Pipe Band for performances throughout the weekend.
The two bands connected remotely, learning the music until meeting for the first time at rehearsals.
Marine musicians Sgt. John Shirley and Cpl. Emily Pratt sat down with the Advertiser during the luncheon.
“To be a marine musician you have to be an actual marine,” Shirley noted.
Completing military, boot camp and marine combat training are all important aspects when wanting to become a musician in the Marine Corps, he added.
An audition process is also incorporated and once accepted, marine musicians go to the Naval School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia.
“From there you get sent to one of the many fleet bands in the Marine Corps,” said Shirley.
Both musicians found their love for music early on in life, but while Shirley found the band lifestyle in college, Pratt had another goal in mind.
“I went into the Marine Corps straight out of high school … I wanted to be the first marine musician out of my small town,” she said.
And she successfully did just that.
“Being able to serve your country but also be able to do exciting, unique opportunities like come to Canada to play in the Scottish games … it’s a unique opportunity that cannot be matched,” added Shirley.
The two beamed with gratefulness as they spoke about their careers.
“I’ve heard there’s some really good fireworks at the end of the festival so I’m very excited,” Pratt added humorously.
Next year will mark the 80th anniversary for the festival and the dates are set for Aug. 8 to 10.
