War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer















Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited

"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

 

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"The Importance of Living History" ...

John Terrence feels "it is important to present history to the public". Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival is an important part of our society today. He tells me "that Military Music assists with telling a story by marching to battle through music while entertaining the audience". “Sometimes" John tells me, "I feel History get neglected. Our veterans of World War II of passing on at an alarming rate, so are the Veterans of the Battle of Vimy Ridge from World War I”. Although, John tells me, “that more and more documentaries are being made to depict these incredible feats in History”. A little further history …

“Historians attribute the success of the Canadian Corps in capturing the ridge to a mixture of technical and tactical innovation, meticulous planning, powerful artillery support, and extensive training, as well as the failure of the German Sixth Army to properly apply the German defensive doctrine. The battle was the first occasion when all four divisions of the Canadian Expeditionary Force participated in a battle together and thus became a Canadian nationalistic symbol of achievement and sacrifice. A 250-acre (100 ha) portion of the former battleground now serves as a preserved memorial park and site of the Canadian National Vimy Memorial” Mr. Terence says “it is sobering to visit the sights of our monuments”.

Next week Mr. Terence will help us learn about the differences between “Military Tattoo” compared to a “Scottish/Irish Tattoo”?

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited

"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

"Getting into the Act" ...

I wondered how Mr. Terence and his team went about gathering such amazing talent to perform at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival and what their criteria might be. Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) John Terence tells me he “has been in this game a long time”. As reported above, John has travelled the world extensively to many places. He gets contact information from Acts world wide. John attends the “The International Association of Tattoo Organizers – IATO” A note about this organization … IATO “is a community of military tattoos of highest level, aiming to sustain and help its’ members. To enter this association, the festival should be a non – commercial event of high cultural level and importance existing for not less than 3 years. Among the members of the IATO there are the most famous and spectacular festivals, such as: the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Berlin Military Music Festival, the Netherlands Military Tattoo, the Norwegian Military Tattoo (NMT), the Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, the Swedish Military Tattoo and so on.”

I asked John if applying to this Festival was similar to an art show where you would need to be “juried” to be accepted. Although the Board of Directors has a large say in who will be able to participate in their Festival, John has the last word. I thought that not many would be given the opportunity to take part as the space is limited and the competition strong. John tells me that he once had a rock Band apply. He was kind to advice them that this Festival and performance was not quite what they were looking for and encouraged them to continue on their quest. John states (as I will explain later in this interview), “Always end on a Positive Note”! My next question relates to one of my favourite questions ... "What is the importance of "living history", "history" and the "War of 1812".

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited

"The Battle" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

 

WAR OF 1812 & the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival PLANS

With the War of 1812 Bicentennial this year, many organizations are celebrating by including remembrance and activities planned as part of their festival/event. Many festivals/events seem to start next year’s planning the day after that event ends. Mr. Terence tells us he doesn’t work that way. In fact, 2013/14 plans are well under way and 2015 has been started also. Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival has themes each year. A brief summary: 2012 – focus on events that occurred during the War of 1812. They will try to portray ideas around “why the American side choose to attack Canada”, the death  and the legend of Major-General Sir Isaac Brock and Lieutenant Colonel John Macdonell. 2013 – Focus on the Battle of Stoney Creek, the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival will work in conjunction with the organizers of the Battle of Stoney Creek Reenactment. And 2014 – focus on significant events during that period of time of the War of 1812 and focus on “Pathways of Peace” also. I thought I would share with you some further details of the plans for the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival for the War of 1812 through 2012-2014?

“The Canadian International Military Tattoo, an inspiring 2-1/2 hour show of stirring music, dancing, pipes & drums and military displays, will feature a commemoration of the 200th Anniversary of the 1812-1814 War; the 150th Anniversary of The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (WR); along with International Guest Performers. A Signature Event in the City of Hamilton.”

“Central Canada’s premier Military Tattoo featuring the pageantry of massed military bands, pipes and drums and special guest performers is very pleased to announce our 21^st Military show for 2012. On Saturday June 23 at 7:30 pm, and Sunday June 24 at 2:30 pm, we will be featuring a commemoration of the 200^th Anniversary of the start of the War of 1812-1814, and the 150^th Anniversary of the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (WR). Invited performing groups include the following: Special Guests- Pioneers of Canterbury Marching Group (Christchurch New Zealand)…The Windsor Regiment Band (Windsor): The Royal Regiment of Canada Military Band (Toronto): The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry Military Band (Hamilton): The Military Band of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa): …The 48^th Highlanders Pipes and Drums (Toronto): The Lorne Scots Pipes and Drums (Brampton): The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums (Hamilton): The Pipes and Drums of the Ceremonial Guard (Ottawa): The Dundas Pipes and Drums (Dundas):…The Tattoo Dancers: 13^th Regiment of Foot (Hamilton Re enactment Group): Winning Cadet Band in Ontario: 1812-1814 Re enactors (Hamilton): Danielle Bourre (Singer): The Fiddle Kid (Liam McGlashon)"

The Tattoo is a registered Not-for-Profit charitable organization and is a 2 ½ hour show with over 500 performers composed of military bands, pipes and drums, dancers, song, pageantry and special performing groups. Special emphasis is always given to our veterans from all theatres, and they are included in the show. There is no other show of this scale west of Halifax, and we provide the experience for the general public to connect the public to the military through music.

Next week I am excited to share with you my conversation with Mr. Terence about "Getting into the Act"!

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 Introduces John Terence, Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) MMM, CD Producer

Photo by Gary McWilliams, Ontario Visited
"Exhibitor" at the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival
Interview with Mr. John Terence, Producer, Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival

This year the Canadian International Military Tattoo & Festival embarks on its’ 21^st Anniversary. The Producer of the show, John Terence, tells us in summary that … “In 1992 Canada was having its’ 125 Anniversary. The Region of Hamilton/Wentworth wanted to put together a celebration “show”. This effort was to be a “one time show”. However, when the “Region” became a “so called Mega City of Hamilton”, they decided to form a non profit organization and continue with the success of this “show”! At one point John was Chairman of this Show, but says to us that “being Chairman is not my bag, I much prefer being on the production side”! To tell you a little history about Mr. Terence, here is a bit of his biography … Chief Warrant Officer (Ret'd) John Terence, MMM, CD, Producer … “CWO Terence of has been actively and directly involved with the Tattoo since its inception in 1992. He was born in England and came to Canada with his parents in 1946. He began piping at the age of ten, and in 1958 joined the Pipes and Drums of The Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders of Canada. He was appointed its Pipe Major in 1973, a post he held until retirement from the Army Reserve in 2000. Under his leadership the band travelled extensively, including appearances at the Edinburgh Tattoo in 1974, 1986 and 2000, the Festival Interceltique de Lorient in Brittany, and France in 1995 and the last British Army Tattoo in Berlin, Germany in 1992. In 1999 Pipe Major Terence was appointed a Member of the Order of Military Merit in recognition of his distinguished service to the Canadian Forces and to his regiment and its Pipes and Drums. CWO Terence is married to Lynda (a Tattoo volunteer), and they have three daughters, Jeanne, Jackie and Julie, all of whom have served in the Argylls. Jackie is a drummer with the Argylls’ Pipes and Drums and Julie is a medical assistant in the Regular Force, currently serving with 1 Field Ambulance, CFB Edmonton.”  As I spoke to John, he also mentioned his daughter as a combat medic in the Rank Force is in tour in Afghanistan for 8 months, “all outside the wire”. I asked John what that meant, he tells me that “that’s were all the actions is, they are in a constant state of combat readiness”. He told me about the other dangers other than the War itself, being the environment; Camel Spiders bodies are as large as dinner plates.” It amazes me how much dedication the entire Terence family has devoted to “Canada” and our society!

(To Be Continued)