Black Watch Concert

Pipers of the Black Watch at Balhousie Castle

As part of their 2013 North American tour, the Pipes and Drums of the Black Watch and the Band of the Scots Guards will appear on February 13, 2013 at the Palladium at Carmel, Indiana's Center for the Performing Arts.

The pipes and drums of the Black Watch are the modern-day incarnation of the 18th century pipes, fifes, and drums that the 42nd Royal Highlanders have proudly portrayed since 1975.

A group seating block is already reserved - rather than attending the concert on your own, join the 42nd and friends for a unique experience to see the Black Watch, live in central Indiana. A portion of your ticket purchase will support the 42nd and the upcoming 2013 Tour of Scotland.

Book your ticket to join the 42nd at the concert!

You don't need a paypal account to pay online - just use your Visa or Mastercard and pay as a guest on the order page!

Each guest will receive one discounted admission to the concert, with the members of the 42nd, and other supporters. The 42nd's ticket block is located in the front center balcony.

About the Black Watch

The Black Watch - a Family

The Black Watch has long been known as a family regiment. Many members of the Pipes and Drums have fathers, grandfathers, uncles, or brothers who served in the past, or are currently in the regiment.

For many, the connections go very deep even beyond immediate family. Pipe Major Steven Small learned to play under the tutelage of the famed Tim Ainslie B.E.M who served in the 2nd Battalion of the Regiment in Crete, Jerusalem and Tobruk, and later played as a piper during the Burma campaign. Ainslie's father served with the Regiment during World War I and his son was a piper with the battalion during the 1970's.

Many in the Pipe Band have direct family connections to the Regiment: Lance Corporal Charles Matter's great grandfather served as a piper with the 1st Battalion at the Somme. Drummer Grahame Brown's father served as Band Sergeant Major and Lance Corporal Andrew Lambert's father served with the Regiment in 1945. Two sets of brothers: Jimmy and George Dews, and Blair and Glen McQuade, currently serve in the Pipe Band.

What is that compels generations to join The Black Watch? Is is the memory of Waterloo, the Somme, Tobruk, or Hong Kong? Certainly that plays a big role, but it is only part of the reason. These men love what they do. They take equal pride in being machine gunners and pipers and drummers. They take the same care in cleaning a machine gun as they do in making sure that their ceremonial uniform is on just right. Pipe Major Small captured it best when he said that the current members of the Regiment are the "custodians of tradition". The Pipe Band is also entrusted with a special charge. He said it is the "visible identity" of the Regiment; the face of the Battalion.

Soldiers First

Today the operational role of the Pipes and Drums is that of Machine Gun Platoon, an elite unit within the Regiment. All its members are fully trained machine gunners who won first place in a 1994 competition among infantry battalions. In addition to serving in Hong Kong, the Pipes & Drums returned from Afghanistan in spring of 2013. Any piper or drummer with corporals stripes on his sleeves has been promoted for military proficiency. He is a squad leader in charge of six men and three machine guns.

The Palladium, Carmel, IN

The combat role of the Pipes & Drums has existed since the founding of The Black Watch. Pipers have played troops into battle throughout most of the Regiments history. During World War I, the Germans dubbed the Highland regiment "The Ladies from Hell". Since World War II, the Pipes have officially worn two hats, often exchanging their instruments for rifles or machine guns in combat. No matter where the battalion finds itself, one can be sure that pipes will soon appear. Tim Ainslie, who served as a piper with the 2nd Battalion during World War II, expressed it best, "Wherever the pipes are, the sound of the Scotland is close at hand".

Full Tour Dates

Not in the central Indiana area and unable to join the 42nd at the concert? Catch the Black Watch at a venue near you!

Friday, January 11, 2013: Englewood, NJ
Saturday, January 12, 2013: Greenvale, NY
Sunday, January 13, 2013: Philadelphia, PA
Tuesday, January 15, 2013: Rockville, MD
Thursday, January 17, 2013: Gettysburg, PA
Friday, January 18, 2013: York, PA (Baltimore, MD)
Saturday, January 19, 2013: Union, NJ
Sunday, January 20, 2013: New Brunswick, NJ
Tuesday, January 22, 2013: Greenville, SC
Thursday, January 24, 2013: Richmond, VA
Friday, January 25, 2013: Newport News, VA (Norfolk, VA)
Saturday, January 26, 2013: Fairfax, VA – Matinee performance and Evening performance (Washington D.C.)
Sunday, January 27, 2013: Manassas, VA
Tuesday, January 29, 2013: Worcester, MA (Boston, MA)
Thursday, January 31, 2013: Binghamton, NY
Friday, February 1, 2013: Schenectady, NY
Saturday, February 2, 2013: Buffalo, NY
Sunday, February 3, 2013: Toronto, Ontario
Monday, February 4, 2013: Ottawa, Ontario
Tuesday, February 5, 2013: Kingston, Ontario
Thursday, February 7, 2013: Cleveland, OH
Friday, February 8, 2013: Mount Clemons, MI
Saturday, February 9, 2013: Detroit, MI
Sunday, February 10, 2013: Germantown, TN
Tuesday, February 12, 2013: Champaign, IL
Wednesday, February 13, 2013: Carmel, IN (Indianapolis, IN)
Friday, February 15, 2013: Lawrence, KS
Saturday, February 16, 2013: Kansas City, MO
Sunday , February 17, 2013: Edmond, OK (Oklahoma City, OK)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013: Fort Worth, TX (Dallas, TX)
Wednesday, February 20, 2013: Orange, TX
Thursday, February 21, 2013: Austin, TX
Saturday, February 23, 2013: Las Vegas, NV
Sunday, February 24, 2013: San Diego, CA
Monday, February 25, 2013: Palm Springs, CA
Wednesday, February 27, 2013: Cerritos, CA (Los Angeles, CA)
Thursday, February 28, 2013: Cerritos, CA (Los Angeles, CA)
Friday, March 1, 2013: Los Angeles, CA (Northridge, CA)
Saturday, March 2, 2013: San Luis Obispo, CA
Sunday, March 3, 2013: San Francisco, CA (Marin, CA)
Monday, March 4, 2013: Folsom, CA
Tuesday, March 5, 2013, Yountville, CA
Wednesday, March 6, 2013: Modesto, CA
Friday, March 8, 2013: Prescott, AZ
Saturday, March 9, 2013: Phoenix, AZ (Mesa, AZ)
Sunday, March 10, 2013: Albuquerque, NM
Monday, March 11, 2013: Santa Fe, NM
Wednesday, March 13, 2013: Louisville, KY
Thursday, March 14, 2013: Morristown, NJ
Friday, March 15, 2013: Rochester, NY
Saturday, March 16, 2013: Bethlehem, PA
Sunday, March 17, 2013: Portland, ME
Tuesday, March 19, 2013: West Palm Beach, FL
Wednesday, March 20, 2013: Clearwater, FL
Thursday, March 21, 2013: Lakeland, FL
Friday, March 22, 2013: Orange Park, FL
Saturday, March 23, 2013: Melbourne, FL
Sunday, March 24, 2013: Sarasota, FL
Monday, March 25, 2013: Avon Park, FL

psmith@42ndRHR.org