An initiative of 292 Air Cadet Squadron since 2008, we are open to any Cadet Musician in the HRM who does not have a Band or Music program at their Unit and wants to play, march; and, compete with a Tri-Cadet Military Band. We are proudly comprised of players from three or more local Units and preparing for this April’s Nova Scotia Band Competition.
We presently have 20 - 25 players on a wide variety of instruments and also open to anyone who wants to cross-train on a another instrument; or, learn music from scratch in a supportive musical environment where innovation and trying new things is our main focus
Our Combined Military Music programme was the geneses in the Fall of 2011 of what is now known as Halifax Youth Pipes & Drums; and, as of July 2017, we have had 25+ of our talented Musicians play in the last 5 Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo in both the Cadet and Civilian Pipes & Drums and Cadet and Massed Military Bands.
Significantly, approx. 20 of our Mil. Band Cadets have cross-trained on Pipes & Drums over the last 7 years; and, we encourage you to do the same.
April’s 2016 Band Competition also saw our Military Band play along side our Pipes & Drums, lead by a Flag Party/Rifle Guard from 292 RCACS. It was the first time the NS Competition had an integrated Band with Brass, Reed, Pipes & Drums playing the Highland classic - “Scotland the Brave”!
Here are most (missing 7 players) of our award winning Combined Massed Bands/Flag Party made up of Sea, Army and Air Cadets playing in both Bands, along with Civilian Youth who play along side their Cadet colleagues in the Halifax Youth Pipes & Drums. How cool is that!
In 2014, our Combined Mil. Band competed for the first time in April’s NS Tri-Cadet Band Competition achieving the Bronze Standard - we were trilled! After another Bronze and Silver Standard performance (2015/16), we were ecstatic to finally achieve the Gold Standard in 2017, with players from 1 Nelson RCSCC, 292 Farview Legion RCAC; and, 2841 Halifax Rifles RCACC. Here is the Band’s “silly pose” shorty after they heard the Golden result for all of their hard work over many months.
Are we on a roll and “In the Mood” for more fierce Tri-Cadet Band Competition in April, 2018, as we strive to achieve our Band’s Best Ever Routine? We certainly hope so and we have lots of room and musical opportunity for new and experienced Cadets Musicians if your Home Unit does not have a Band Programme. We also accept experienced School Musicians, aged 12 - 17, on a 2 practice “try us” basis to see if you enjoy what we do and are therefore willing to join Cadets (may need a hair cut but complete with instrument, uniform, excellent training and your very own personal Tattoo!
We invite you to learn the thrill of working hard as a musical family to learn challenging Music and Marching Routine; and, play with kind and caring opened minded Cadets intent. not on crushing the competition; but, enjoying fine music and routines from Bands also achieving personal Best and all of us tying for Best! Now wouldn’t that be a party?
Our most recent acquisition is the drum kit below which will be used to add rock and jazz beats to this year’s routine. The exciting part we it will allow the opportunity for lessons from talented kit instructors and round out the sound of our Snare, Bass, and Quad Set the Drum Line is currently using.
We are also considering adding a third night to our weekly line up to add a Cafe-Rock Pizza Jam with swing, jazz, pop and root beer to add to the mix. Social Session on 4-5 selected Friday/Saturdays evenings from 7-10 pm, starting in February and culminating in over final overnight “shakedown” the weekend before competition.
Additionally, as we are saddened that our colleagues in 615 Bluenose Air Cadets, a co-founder of the Combined Programme can’t attend our Wednesday night practices (their Parade night); we, are going to offer open practice time on selected Thursday and Saturdays for them and anyone else who can’t make our regular Wednesday practices but still want to compete in April or simply come out to play just for fun - what we are all about!
In our now 10+ years, we have hosted and proudly worked and played along side Cadets and Officers from the following Units for brief or extended periods as they transition or strengthened their own Mil. Band programmes or joined our Pipes & Drums - drum roll please: 1 Nelson Sea Cadets, 292 Fairview Legion Air Cadets, 305 Sackville Sea Cadets, 333 Iroquois Sea Cadets, 342 Bedford Lions Air Cadets, 356 Wolf Sea Cadets, 529 Armdale Kiwanis Air Cadets, 615 Bluenose Air Cadets, 865 Dartmouth Kiwanis Air Cadets, The Scots Highland Company 848 Army Cadets, 2501 Halifax/Dartmouth Artillery Army Cadets, The Halifax Rifles 2841 Army Cadets; and, 3036 Sackville Lions Army Cadets.
Need another other reason to give us a try? Know that by playing with us you will improve your chances of succeeding in life by over 40%. How do we know this - science and statics do not lie; nor, does the positive experience 100’s of our Musicians over the last 10 years have benefited from this wonderfully diverse and exciting Music experience of a life time.
