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Sgt. Cody Silliker - Air Cadet Dispatches

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The 315 Newcastle Royal Canadian Air Cadets have resumed training, and we're off to a wonderful start. We've only been back for a few weeks and have already participated in many activities. On Sept 13, the cadets went gliding over the beautiful Miramichi area. It was an experience they will not soon forget. We also had a sports night, went cosmic bowling and a few of the senior cadets went to CFB Gagetown for an instructors weekend.

Most recently, on Saturday, Oct. 11, members of the 315 air cadet band attended a band seminar in Bathurst. They got an introduction to the different aspects of the cadet music program and got a sample of what summer training in music would consist of. I myself was there as a staff cadet, helping instruct.

There are three basic sections covered in the cadet music program: playing, music theory, and drill. All of these were covered throughout the day.

The first class of the day was on theory. Cadets learned basic theory including note names, note values and dynamics. After they learned these, they were ready to start learning to play their instruments.

The cadets broke off into classes depending on their instruments. Here they learned instrument maintenance as well as how to play a few songs. This particular band seminar was only for percussion bands, so the only instruments that were being played were drums and glockenspiels (a glockenspiel is like a xylophone) and cymbals. The cadets learned songs that every unit should know such as "O Canada" and "General Salute."

After learning how to play their instruments, the cadets learned how to march with them. They participated in basic band drill including marching, holding instruments properly and recognizing basic commands. The key part of these classes was to teach the signals that the bass drummer and the drum major give for halts and step-offs. Cadet also learned more complicated band drill such as counter-marches and marking time.

Finally, at the end of the day, the cadets showed the results of their hard work in full rehearsal. During this period, all cadets got together to practice the songs they had learned previously. Even though the cadets only had three classes to learn the songs, they performed them wonderfully.

Another part of the cadet music program that was introduced to the cadets was the level structure. In the cadet music program, there are six possible levels to attain, and a badge to go with each one. The levels are Basic, and levels 1 - 5. Each level is more difficult, starting at level Basic and going to level 5. To achieve any level you must pass a written theory test of a difficulty matched to the level, and as well as pass a playing test. The cadets were informed of how to get levels and their officers were also given the tools to help prepare for testing.

315 Newcastle Air Cadets are always welcoming new cadets, so if you or someone you know is interested in joining drop by the George Street Armoury any Wednesday night between 6 and 9 p.m. or call Capt Jackie Murray at 622-2099 or Capt Steven Diotte at 622-4832.