Music

Many Cadets around the Region are involved in Music, from playing Solo at a Remembrance Parade, to being part of a concert band, playing to an audience of hundreds. Music and bands form part of the Air Cadet Experience.

Many Squadrons have their own bands or groups, who play a variety of musical instruments. Some Squadrons may have a Corps of Drums, others a full marching band, others may have an ensemble group, made up of various instruments. Either way, there are many ways you can get involved in music with in the Air Cadets.

Instruments

You may already be good at an instrument, but don't worry if you're new to playing music - if you have talent we'll help you make the most of it. Here are some standard band instruments (but we cater for other instruments too):

Saxophones
Bugles
Cornets & Trumpets
Trombones
Basses
Cymbals
Side drum
Bass drum

Badges

There are a number of badges available to cadets who are either active members of a Squadron (Or higher) band, or who have reached Grade 5 (Practical) on a specific instrument. The criteria for active band members are summarised below:

Brass players:

Perform an ascending and descending scale
Perform General Salute, Last Post, Reveille and Sunset
Perform (solo) three marches, as played regularly by the band to which the cadet belongs
Demonstrate knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bandsmen
Demonstrate correct instrument handling and maintenance

Percussionist (untuned):

Perform (on a snare drum) double stroke roll, triplet, paradiddle, flam and drag
Perform General Salute, Sunset and four different 16-beat solos
Perform (solo) three marches, as played regularly by the band to which the cadet belongs
Demonstrate knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bandsmen
Demonstrate correct instrument handling and maintenance

Percussionist (tuned):

Perform three of the following scales (ascending and descending): C major (two octaves), Bb major, D major, D harmonic minor, E harmonic minor
Perform General Salute, Last Post, Reveille and Sunset
Perform (solo) three marches, as played regularly by the band to which the cadet belongs
Demonstrate knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bandsmen
Demonstrate correct instrument handling and maintenance

Piper:

Perform a scale, ascending and descending
Perform the following gracenotes: G, D gracenote and strike, E and high A, throw on D. You can do these on a chanter
Perform (solo) three marches, as played regularly by the band to which the cadet belongs
Demonstrate knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bandsmen
Demonstrate correct instrument handling and maintenance

Other instruments:

Perform three ascending and descending scales commonly used for the instrument being played

Perform General Salute, Last Post, Reveille and Sunset

Perform (solo) three marches, as played regularly by the band to which the cadet belongs

Demonstrate knowledge of drill and dress regulations for bandsmen

Demonstrate correct instrument handling and maintenance

For those cadets who play in one of the National bands, they are eligible for a gold version of their respective badge. This shows that they have performed at a National level.