HAMPTON ROADS — The men and women who make up the Tidewater Pipes and Drums are celebrating not only being the Virginia International Tattoo’s hometown band, but also the band’s 50th anniversary in 2025.
The band started in 1975 and piper Jim Roberts joined when he was 12 years old. Although his family moved a few years later, Roberts found himself back in the area after college and rejoined the band in 1992.
The Virginia Arts Festival began working on bringing the Virginia International Tattoo to the area in the mid 1990s. With massed pipe bands as part of the performance, the Tidewater Pipes and Drums inaugural tattoo appearance was in 1999. The group has served as the local tie to the tattoo for many years and recently cultivated a new relationship with the performance.
“About four of five years ago, we started a formal relationship with the tattoo, where they actually sponsor us. We wear a tartan that was specially commissioned for the Virginia International Tattoo. If you’ve ever seen pictures of us in the blue kilts, that is the tattoo’s official tartan. It’s really a huge honor for us to wear them and represent that tattoo not only for one week in April, but year round,” Roberts said.
While Roberts has a lengthy history with the band, Bob Aguilar, joined recently. Aguilar, who performs in various police bands throughout the area, was inspired to join the Tidewater Pipes and Drums as part of what he calls a midlife crisis.
“The nice thing about this is that it’s a lot cheaper than a Corvette. My day job, I’m a police officer and I got involved with my agency’s honor guard where we would do different ceremonies. I would see these pipers and I’ve always loved the music, there is truly something about the music of the pipes that really stirs something deep inside,” Aguilar says. “It’s just one of those things that the music literally resonated with me. I’ve loved it since. There is something about the tradition with it, from the kilts and tartans, the idea of going off into battle or sending off a comrade, it’s really cool. I had it in my mind that I had to be part of something like this.”
The Virginia International Tattoo is the largest tattoo in the United States. Other world-famous tattoos include The Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland and The Basel Tattoo in Switzerland.
“I had the opportunity to attend The Royal Edinburgh Tattoo in Scotland and quite honestly the Virginia show is better. The difference is we’re in Norfolk Scope instead of Edinburgh Castle, so they have us beat on the venue, but I think we have them beat on the show,” Roberts said.
Tidewater Pipes and Drums follows three core principles: education, performance, and competition. Within the education principle, the band aims to teach the next generation of pipers and drummers.
Community service is also a key initiative.
“Part of our mission is really giving back to those who give to us. A lot of times, we’re called out to veterans homes or funerals to honor those who sacrificed for our nation. It’s the least we can do,” Aguilar said.
The Tidewater Pipes and Drums offer lessons every Wednesday night in Norfolk. The lessons are free and open to anyone who wants to try the instruments themselves.
In addition to the educational piece, the band performs in various local parades throughout the year and also competes in EUSPBA-sanctioned events in Virginia, North Carolina and Maryland.
For more information on the band or lessons, visit tidewaterpipesanddrums.org.