The Concert and Marching Band of the Central and East Region have held their first band practice of 2020 ahead of what promises to be a busy year.
Forty seven talented young musicians assembled at RAF Henlow to hone their skills playing as a concert band and adapting to the difficult task of marching and playing instruments.
The cadets with ages ranging from 12 years through to 20 years and playing a variety of instruments came from all points of the Region to attend the weekend of practice. For some it was their first time, not only as part of a large musical assembly, but also being away on a cadet camp.
Typical of the calibre of cadet attending was Cadet Corporal Sophie Luper. Sophie is currently with 1003 (Leighton Buzzard) Squadron where she has been given the responsibilites of taking care of the squadron’s standard of drill, the running of the squadron band and is deputy to the Training Officer. Musically, Sophie is proficient with the piano, cello and bass drum. Being also a Drum Major, Sophie was given the task for the weekend of training the marching band’s Drum Majors.
Like any Air Cadet activity, it would not be possible without the dedication of the adult volunteers. With the band, most of the volunteers have musical backgrounds as well as a enthusiasm and a love of the cadet ethos. Under the direction of the Central and East Region Band Master, Squadron Leader Alan Glover RAFAC, the staff not only are responsible for the cadets musical output but also the welfare and discipline of the cadets.
One such volunteer is Warrant Officer “Tabs” Robelou of 1094 (Ely) Squadron. Tabs has been with the Air Cadets for the past 15 years and helped form and run the Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire Wing Band. Musically inclined, Tabs has played the clarinet and flute but spends the practice weekend in a more administrative role helping ensure a smooth running weekend. Having been present since the band’s inception, she has been present at all the weekends the band have practiced. “The cadets that come along to these weekends are really talented and really quick to learn and play in a rather large group. They gel well and the team work and friendliness spills over into their social times. They are an absolutely fabulous bunch of cadets and a great pleasure to work with” said Tabs
Central and East Region are still on the lookout for musicians of Grade 3 and above to join this talented group and fulfil the engagements already in the diary. If you are interested, please contact band.ce@aircadets.org