EDINBURGH, Scotland – Musicians with the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band performed a concert for the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh outside the city chambers building, July 30.

The CNE band is in Edinburgh to perform in the Royal Military Tattoo, an event that brings musicians, dancers and bagpipers from around the world and this year marks the first time since 1950 that a Navy band has performed in the military tattoo.

“It was absolutely fantastic and a great privilege,” said the Right Honorable Donald Wilson, the Lord Lieutenant and Lord Provost of the city of Edinburgh. “(Events like this) help cement the close relationships between our two countries and also the historical and cultural links that we have. Obviously the tattoo will be seen by millions, and I think it is all about working together, as a team, and I’m a great believer in that.”

Wilson said the band’s performance at the city chambers helped to raise the profile of the tattoo, by bringing in people who happen to be walking by on the street, and he feels it was a real delight for everyone to be able to enjoy the band’s concert.

“The band sounded really good, I was very pleased,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Robert Hungerford, the drum major during the band’s city chambers concert. “Seeing as how there hasn’t been an American presence at the tattoo in a long time, I think this is a great stepping stone in getting the U.S. to send bands back over here for the tattoo again. It just shows the strength and alliance between the U.S. and U.K."

Hungerford said the end goal of events like the tattoo are building relationships and fostering international partnership.

“The countries in Europe have been some of our strongest allies,” Hungerford said. “I think it’s really important that we continue to foster that relationship between us and the EU.”

Wilson said the cultural benefits of the Navy band’s presence is immense and merely strengthens an already strong bond between the United States and United Kingdom.

“Anything that increases understanding and appreciation of our two cultures brings us closer and makes us more capable to work effectively on the international stage,” Wilson said. “It is a historic moment, since this is the first time we’ve had a U.S. Naval band playing in the tattoo. I’m a great believer in the tattoo, it shows people what doing what they can do best. It truly is a great show case for the best that can be done and makes everyone proud.”

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is considered one of the most popular military tattoos in Europe, with its highlight being a Massed Military Band combining every military band from around the globe into one ensemble.