The Tasmania Police Centenary Tattoo in 1999 was an unlikely place for a personal epiphany, but then again, is there any place where revelations are a ‘typical’ occurrence? Sitting in the Silverdome in Launceston were perhaps 2,500 people who were watching and enjoying what was predominantly a pipe-band driven event. This was sufficient evidence of a local appetite for a large-scale performance based around various forms of Celtic music; and a dream took a significant step towards becoming a reality.

With the enthusiasm of the members of St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band, an energetic cast of dancers, singers and the generous patronage of David Logie (as the then General Manager of Country Club Resort), Celtic Force performed its first show on August 20th, 1999 before a full house at Country Club Resort, Launceston. Time has since witnessed the rise and rise of Celtic Force from a one-night performance in Launceston, Tasmania to a season played across Tasmania in some of the State’s most prestigious venues.

Such has been the success of Celtic Force that St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band were able to raise their sights high – very high. In August 2005, St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band became the first pipe band from Tasmania to compete at the World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow, Scotland. The finished creditably in mid-field and, further to their competitive success, performed ground-breaking concerts on the Isle of Skye, Orkney, Aberdeen and at Leod, Stirling and Edinburgh Castles. If that wasn't enough, at Pipefest, St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band entered the Guinness Book of Records as part of the largest pipe band ever formed - over 10,000 strong!

With the success of this first overseas tour, the band's appetite for new performance goals remains unabated and the new goal will be revealed soon.

Celtic Force has been more than just a fundraiser for St Andrews Caledonian Pipe Band and the other performers in the show: our show has given literally hundreds of Tasmanian performers an opportunity to ply their craft before a home audience in a polished, professional show. This has not only inspired them to reach new heights in performance, but also given community-based music and dance groups an exposure to appreciative audiences and potentially new members. Since 1999, Celtic Force has brought together a wonderful mix of local performers with an inclination to the Celtic idiom and this local event performed before annually to over 3,000 people in the last three years.

Below is the complete list of who, where and when in the life and times of Celtic Force. Since performing in the show, members of the the extended Celtic Force family have performed across Australia, UK, Europe and Japan. Celtic Force has also been the inspiration for two new shows - Scottish Power: Lords of the Isles, which has since performed as part of 10 Days on the Island and Kilts & Clover, which is delighting Seniors audiences across Tasmania.

The success of the shows has been due to the hard work of many people behind the scenes, our loyal corporate partners, the creative depth of talent in Tasmania and the wonderful support of Tasmanian people and visitors to our State. Thank you all!

John de Jong
Di Briffa
Ben Austin
Glenorchy City Concert Brass
Sing Elon Choir
Studio of National Dancing
Evandale Scottish Country Dancers
Drum Corps of the Derwent Scottish Pipe Band
Blair Milne
Graham Edgar
Kimberley Wright
Mark Austin

John de Jong
Di Briffa
Ben Austin
Glenorchy City Concert Brass
Sing Elon Choir
Burnie Highland Pipe Band
Studio of National Dancing
Becker School of Highland Dance
Blair Milne
Graham Edgar
Kimberley Wright
Mark Austin

John de Jong
Di Briffa
Ben Austin
Glenorchy City Concert Brass
Sing Elon Choir
Tasmania Police Pipe Band
Hobart Highland Pipe Band
Hobart highland Dancers
Studio of National Dancing
Blair Milne
Graham Edgar
Kimberley Wright
Mark Austin

About Celtic Force... Show Tickets... History of Celtic Force... Images...
Links... Corporate Partners...... CDs... Contact Celtic Force...
Celtic Force Home Page