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Local cadets top in province

The combined 155 Air and 2310 Army Cadet Pipe and Drum Band secure top prize
Photo 6212
Combined 155 Air & 2310 Army Pipe and Drum Band showing that they are Number One. Photo Credit Capt-2. Steve Mullins

NEWS RELEASE

SAULT STE. MARIE CADETS

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SAULT STE. MARIE ON - The combined 155 Air and 2310 Army Cadet Pipe and Drum Band won Top Pipe and Drum Band in Ontario. Cadet Sgt. Justin Brideau of the 155 Air earned Top Drum Major in Ontario. This year’s Regional Band and Drill Competition was held at CFB Borden which saw Sea, Army and Air Cadet Units from across Ontario competing in each of the categories, Drill With, Drill With Out Arms, Military Band and Pipe and Drum Band. 

These 12 to 18 year old cadets have practiced to compete for this competition during the training year which starts in Sept and in many cases for several years. The 155 Air Cadets last won Top in Ontario in 2011 and have been at this competition every year since earning second place. Cadet Pipe Major Ben Fisher commented “to watch this band grow for the last couple of years has truly been a remarkable experience and I can’t wait to see what we’ll be taking on next.” He added “They (the cadet’s) are a perfect example of what a cadet should be, dedicated, hard working and enthusiastic about learning.” “The Pipe and Drum Band is one of many fantastic unique programs that Cadet’s offers Canadian youth”, commented Capt. Jim Browne, Commanding Officer of the 155.

The 46 Royal Sovereign Sea Cadet band earned a spot to also compete in the Regional Band and Drill Competition and were one of eight bands in the Military Band category. Lt (N) Trish Pihlaja, Commanding Officer of 46 Sea stated,  “our band is made up of a lot of first year cadets and the experience gained by competing at this level will help them for prepare for next year”. 

Prior to a cadet unit competing, each cadet has their uniform inspected. The cadet unit then performs a compulsory drill and then a silent routine. The bands perform the compulsory which consists of march pasts while playing as they would in leading a formation of cadets on parade. The second part of the performance which is also marked for music playing ability is the free style and has the cadets move around the parade square in choreographed sequences while performing their music. The 155 Air Cadet also has a very unique component, Highland Dancers which add to the Celtic music as the cadet perform their free style. The Highland Dancers have been taught by Catherine MacLeod and other instructors at the MacLeod  Highland Dance School on a weekly basis. Many of these cadet dancers have earned civilian dance awards and medals. 

This past Wed night saw four cadets being retired as they will soon be reaching their 19th Birthday. Each of these cadets had the opportunity to speak to the 155 Sqn. prior to being “Piped Off” by Pipe Major Ben Fisher, which is a tradition to show respect and acknowledge their hard work and dedication. Each of these four cadets, WO1 Christiane Boudreau, WO2 Gabriel Boudreau, WO2 Andrea Breckenridge and F/Sgt. Devin Moore commented on how much being in the 155 Sqn has helped them grow as individuals while making long lasting friendships. They also challenged the younger cadets to get involved in the many interesting and fun activities that the 155 Sqn does, Pipe Band, Drill Team, Flight Simulator Training, and the new Dr Roberta Bondar Training Program at the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre with aircraft maintenance as the first phase. Several of these cadets have also taken part in the Summer Training offered at Cadet Canadian Summer Training Centers in Blackdown, Tenton and Connaught lasting two, three and six week programs for music, marksmanship, survival, drill and ceremonial, aircraft maintenance as well as pilot training for glider and power pilot licensing.

Recruiting will start in Sept. for all three units at the Pine Street Armoury. There is no fee to join or to participate in regular local training or summer training with the uniform provided. Competitions that are held out of the local area include travel, accommodations and meals with no monetary costs. The cadets are supervised by qualified staff, made up of members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Civilian Instructors.

To learn more about the Canadian Cadet Movement please visit, www.cadet.ca 

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