England, Scotland and Ireland are coming together in Ames to combine their style of music with the music of the United States.

The Band of the Grenadier Guards and the Pipes, Drums, and Dancers of the Scots Highlanders will present their “Hands Across the Sea” program at Stephens Auditorium Sunday, bringing with them a tribute to America.

“It’s a different style of music than most are used to,” says Patti Cotter, performing arts programming manager at the Iowa State Center. “It’s an upbeat feel, march-type of music.”

The 50 members of the Band of the Grenadier Guards will be dressed to impress in full military uniforms. The band will be showcasing its talents by playing various instruments, dancing and performing some of America’s patriotic songs.

“I’ve listened to their CD — they sound good,” Cotter says. “Now I’m excited to see how they will look onstage with the sound.”

Some of the songs the groups will be playing include “Amazing Grace,” “Scotland the Brave,” “Hands Across the Sea” and “Stars and Stripes Forever.” There will be an interaction between band members and color guards with an array of different flags, including the English, Scottish, Irish and American flags, Cotter says.

The Grenadier Guards and Scots Highlanders will also give a VIP salute to Ames Mayor Ted Tedesco. “I have no idea how it came about. They just called me out of the blue,” Tedesco says. “I know that in their country, the mayor is often called the ‘mayor-lord,’ and that it’s a position of prominence.”

Sara Barr, Iowa State Center director of marketing, says the tribute is a great way to instill patriotism in Ames residents.

“I would like to think that Ames is fairly vocal in patriotism,” Barr says, “But this will be a good reminder of it as well.”

The Grenadier Guards are a group of military soldiers who play instruments and defend their country. In times of peace, the Guards travel around promoting their country through music and dance. They were started in 1656 with just a handful of guards, then grew to the musicians and soldiers they are today.

“These Guards are best known as the troops that march in front of England’s Windsor Castle,” Cotter says. “This will bring people who are interested in the culture as well as the music to the show.”

Along with the 30 members of the Highlander Scots Band will be the Dancers of the Scots. As many as eight members of the Scots Dancers, all male, will be in Ames to perform, displaying their traditional highland dance and style of clothing.

The presentation of “Hands Across the Sea,” performed by the Grenadier Guards and the Scots Highlanders, has brought countries together in times of foreign hostility through passionate, patriotic music.

“Ames has never seen a show like this before,” Cotter says.

Who: Band of the Grenadier Guards, Pipes, Drums and Dancers of the Scots Highlanders

Where: Stephens Auditorium

When: 7:30 p.m. Sunday

Cost: $9.50 — $15.50 students, $17.50 — $29.50 public