The Regimental Band and Pipes Return to the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo with Special Guests
The journey to return the Regimental Band and Pipes to Scotland to perform in the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo was neither swift nor simple. Planning began in 2015, almost immediately after the band’s third appearance in Edinburgh, with the hope of returning in 2020. Although a global pandemic put that trip on hold, support for the endeavor was unwavering; seeing the iconic Citadel tartan back in Edinburgh was a long-held dream for many alumni, who had been waiting since the band’s 2015 appearance at the tattoo.
When plans for a return in 2024 were announced, many alumni embodied the true spirit of giving, offering their time, treasure and talent to ensure the band had the resources for a return to Scotland. For some alumni, the talent they contributed to the effort extended far beyond the ordinary.
Eight young alumni, back in their cadet uniforms, joined the 60 cadets who made the journey from The Citadel campus in Charleston to Edinburgh, Scotland. They were led by retired U.S. Marine Corps Lt. Col. Timothy Smith, director of the band, and Pipe Band Director Jim Dillahey, ’01. The reinstated cadets included Eve McCaffrey and Erick Mendoza, both from the Class of 2023, and six members of the Class of 2024—Joseph Cannavaro, Vincent Grna, Elizabeth Lockridge, Charles Sackett, Madeline Schmuck and Enmanuelle Sevilla.
For the 2023 graduates, returning to perform at the tattoo—the world’s most renowned military music festival —held a special significance. Both McCaffrey and Mendoza had been members of the band originally scheduled to perform in 2020, but when the event was canceled due to COVID-19, the news was hard to bear after all the preparation. For Mendoza, it was especially difficult.
“I chose to come to The Citadel because of the tattoo. I saw footage from The Citadel’s 2015 performance, and as someone who loves music and had been in a marching band for a long time, I thought that the opportunity to perform on an international stage was unique, and I didn’t think I’d be able to get that anywhere else,” said Mendoza. “In 2023, right before graduation, Col. Smith let us know that alumni would be invited to perform. I was ecstatic, and I was so determined to make this happen.”
Now a history teacher at Ashley Ridge High School in Summerville, South Carolina, Mendoza reflected on his experience in Edinburgh as he sat in his classroom. Around him were typical classroom items—pens and pencils, tokens of appreciation from his students, books and school policy signs, as well as a few unique reminders of his time at The Citadel, such as a Big Red flag and some of his cadet covers. Messages from his students filled the whiteboard, reflecting the deep respect they have for their teacher. After being away from The Citadel for more than a year, returning to cadet life felt strange but also rewarding.
“Putting on the uniform after not wearing it for a year probably seems odd to other graduates, but for me and the other members of the band, fulfilling this dream was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. We were willing to do whatever it took. That said, I’m not going to lie, it was weird. It was weird waking up for formation, wearing duty, putting on my field jacket again, shining brass, all of the cadet rigmarole. It was not something I thought I’d ever have to do again, but I’m glad that I did,” said Mendoza.
For Madeline Schmuck, who graduated in May, it was not so long ago that she wore the uniform every day, so she found the experience of returning less foreign.
“There was a shift in priorities when we came back to campus. We were all there with one goal in mind—to prepare and perform for the tattoo,” Schmuck explained. “Getting the opportunity to stay in the barracks again did feel different, with the campus being relatively empty. However, there is a unique nostalgia around the barracks despite their age and changes made over time. For anyone who has ever stayed in them, coming back felt almost like coming home.”
The alumni’s dedication to performing in the tattoo included more than just uniforms and grooming regulations—it also meant a lot of practice and hard work.
For an entire month, members of The Citadel’s Regimental Band and Pipes performed at the tattoo, delivering nightly performances, with the exception of Sundays, to crowds of more than 8,000 people. The first week in Edinburgh was filled with relentless practice, rehearsals and even more fine-tuning. Aside from practices at Redford Barracks, where the cadets were housed in Edinburgh, additional practices took place at Edinburgh Castle. Many band members commented that being at the castle for the first time was a surreal moment.
Performing alongside world-class musicians naturally created some nervous anticipation, but the Regimental Band and Pipes overcame these challenges with determination. Charles Sackett, the band’s pipe major, hopes their participation in the tattoo highlights their capabilities and encourages other alumni to support their efforts.
“There was a lot of music to learn, including tunes we don’t normally play, but the band stepped the effort. By the time we arrived in Edinburgh, we were on par with the other bands. They say practice makes perfect, and after a few runs of the show, everybody found a way to make the drill go smoothly,” Sackett said. “At an event like the tattoo, I’d argue that if you aren’t stressed about the first show, you aren’t doing it right. The pipe band participated in four sections of the tattoo, giving us many opportunities to make mistakes. But, by the end of the first week, the nervousness faded, and the show became second nature.”
The band left the audience in awe with their striking execution, precise choreography and crisp full-dress uniforms. The enthusiastic audience made sure the band knew it, too, with thunderous applause and even stopping the band members outside of the tattoo to praise their performance.
“During our performance of Take Me Home, Country Roads, I would choose a different audience member each night to point to and sing to. That’s something they’re going to remember for a long time. And that’s what performing at the tattoo is all about—making memories for people who have paid for the tickets, the airfare, the hotels, everything. We wanted to make their tattoo experience unique, so they would walk away from the show and remember us,” said Mendoza.
For Elizabeth Lockridge, performing at the tattoo was a testament to what The Citadel can offer— even if it means embracing new challenges.
“The Citadel has so much more to offer than people may realize, and it’s important to put yourself out there and get out of your comfort zone. Taking full advantage of The Citadel and the opportunities it offers beyond the classroom was one of the greatest decisions I’ve ever made, and it led me to have so many unique experiences and make so many amazing friends,” said Lockridge.
Now, back in the United States and out of the Corps of Cadets for a second time, life has returned to normal for these alumni. Mendoza has settled into his classroom for another academic year. Sackett has started a job as a process engineer at Sonoco in Hartsville, South Carolina. Schmuck is beginning a year-long fellowship at Mississippi State. Lockridge is starting her career as a project engineer.
“I’m extremely grateful for this amazing experience, especially for everyone involved in making this a possibility, as well as the alumni who supported the trip and dedicated themselves to the Regimental Band and Pipes,” said Schmuck. “After that first performance, realizing firsthand what an amazing opportunity this was to showcase our abilities, we were all more motivated to make every night better than the previous night. I feel fortunate to have had this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”
For every cadet and alum who traveled to Edinburgh, there is a shared sentiment—that it was an honor to represent The Citadel and perform with the Regimental Band and Pipes. As the only American military college band ever to have been invited, The Citadel proudly showcased the United States, contributing to the rich history of Edinburgh Castle with their performances. Each band member, including the eight alumni, put in the work to demonstrate their capabilities, furthering The Citadel’s legacy at The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and beyond. While in Scotland, the band represented the institution, South Carolina and the United States with a high level of professionalism and composure that is characteristic of cadets and alumni. Cadets previously performed at the prestigious event in 1991, 2010 and 2015. Now, with the outstanding impression made in 2024, the band looks forward to another trip across the Atlantic in the coming years, perhaps with a new group of alumni along for the ride.