HONG KONG - The U.S. 7th Fleet Band performed at a three-day multinational concert July 13-15 in Hong Kong that included performances from military ensembles spanning the globe.
The United States, China, Mongolia, Russia, Netherlands and Scotland preformed at the Hong Kong Coliseum for the International Tattoo 2017.
Derived from the early 17th century Dutch phrase doe den tap toe ("turn off the tap"), a tattoo is a military performance of music or display of armed forces. Lt. Brian Chaplow, the U.S. 7th Fleet bandmaster, said this concert provided and excellent opportunity to work and perform with military bands from around the world. "I'm extremely thankful to our hosts and sponsors here in Hong Kong for their wonderful hospitality," Chaplow said.
"The opportunity to perform at this concert not only allows us to showcase the amazing talent that we have here in the U.S. 7th Fleet Band, but also allows us to share our love of music with bands that span the globe and also share that same passion."
The U.S. 7th Fleet Band's contribution to the concert centered around scores and themes from popular U.S. television series and movies including Mission Impossible, Peter Gunn, and the James Bond film series. During the band's finale, they performed Adele's hit, Skyfall, from the 2012 James Bond film that bears the same title.
"I think it's great that in our job that we are able to meet different cultures and come together for the sake of music," Musician 2nd Class Emily Kershaw said. "No matter what's going on in the world we are able to come together because of our mutual passion for performing music."
The concert concluded with all of the bands performing in the concert playing a six-song medley together, convening the show.