Fort Ticonderoga in Upstate New York in August 2008.

On Friday, August 1 2008, the Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch marched from the camp at Fort Ticonderoga to the location of the fortifications where the 42nd Royal Highlanders – the Black Watch – fought 250 years ago.  A Cairn, constructed of stones from Scotland, was built on the site of the battle lines to memorialize the fallen soldiers of the 42nd.  The Atlantic Watch marched to the Cairn, piping and drumming traditional tunes, and laid a wreath in honor of the regiment whose dress and organization we emulate.  Pipe Major Ernie Lackey and Drum Major Ed Brett led this ceremony, and Ernie pinned a 42nd Royal Highlanders cap badge to the wreath.  The march and twilight ceremony were moving events, and climaxed with Piper Gabrielle Gilliberti, assisted by Drummer AJ Merlino, leading the band in the playing of Amazing Grace. 

On Saturday, August 2, 2008, at the kind invitation of the Fife and Drum Corps of Fort Ticonderoga, the Atlantic Watch became the first Pipe and Drum band to participate in the Fife and Drum Muster.  The Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch performed three times at the Muster at Fort Ticonderoga, first in a brief introductory set, then a full performance, and lastly a performance with the mass band.  The main performance by the band featured marches and countermarches – led by Drum Major Ed Brett - while piping and drumming, formation of the circle, dances by our award winning Highland Dancer Leslie Brett with dancing music played by Pipe Major Ernie Lackey, and finally reformation of the ranks and countermarching to the exit.  The color guard led the formation into the fort’s parade ground, posted during the musical performance, and led the formation back out the tunnel and out of the parade ground. It was truly a day to remember, and whether people had come by car, airline tickets or Greyhound, everyone enjoyed watching and listening to the wonderful music of Scottish ancestry.

At the request of the staff of the Fort Ticonderoga Best Western Hotel, where the band stayed, the Atlantic Watch tuned and played a brief show at the hotel before leaving for the Fort.  After the final performance at the fort, the band gathered at a scenic waterfall in the center of the town of Ticonderoga for a group photo by the falls.  To complete the bands performances for the muster, the Atlantic Watch played at the Hancock House in the center of town with the several Fife and Drum Corps that participated in the muster.

On January 12, 2008 the Atlantic Watch performed at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia.

"The Pipes and Drums of the Atlantic Watch played two shows on January 12, 2008 at the Kimmel Center in Philadelphia. A contingent of the band played these one hour shows, including Highland Dancing featuring Kristen Greene with dance music provided by Pipe Major Ernie Lackey and Corporal Jon Baker, as the prelude and postlude to the performance of the Coldstream Guards and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards in Verizon Hall at the Center. The Atlantic Watch received numerous compliments from both the audience and the staff of the center, and some members of the audience even looked up the Atlantic Watch website and emailed us compliments."