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Air Cadets enjoy evening with navy band quintet
By S.L. Furedi
The Elk Valley Air Cadets were treated to a musical performance during their regularly scheduled sports’ night in Elkford, Feb. 23.
The Naden Band of the Royal Canadian Navy is a 35-piece military band stationed out of Vancouver. Tours were arranged for band members to travel across the province and the Prevailing Winds Woodwind Quintet was assigned to the Kootenay region from February 21-24. Elkford was the last stop on the tour, which had already performed in Cranbrook, Fernie and Invermere.
The one-hour concert showcased an interactive program which consisted of classical, contemporary, pop and jazz selections, including one instantly recognizable to the cadets, the ‘Pink Panther’ theme. The five members played oboe, flute, bassoon, clarinet and the French horn.
Each musician described their instruments and added some interesting facts, including that the oldest recorded flute-like instrument is more than 43,000 years old.
The cadets were invited to ask questions, and wanted to know how the musicians are chosen for the navy band. Petty Officer Katrina Bligh, oboe player for the group, explained they can audition as civilians, regular forces or the reserves, but if accepted, musicians go through basic training like any other member of the military.
Captain Sherri Shaw, commanding officer of the Elk Valley Air Cadets, said having the band perform was a good incentive for the cadets to work on their own squadron band.
“We’ve got a lot of musically talented teens in our ranks, and we’ve recently purchased chanters for some of our cadets to learn the bagpipes,” Shaw said. “We hope to have a full band soon.”
UPCOMING EVENTS
In March and April, the air cadets will train for upcoming Range and First Aid competitions, and make their annual visit to the Bomber Command Museum in Nanton, Alta.. In May, they will host a weekend-long multi-squadron Field Training Exercise, and go gliding in Cranbrook.
Cadets will also participate in the Coal Miner Days Parade, and will then work on polishing up their parade skills before the Annual Ceremonial Review in June.
In the meantime, they’ve been busy applying for summer camp postings, and many will travel to camps across Canada to take part in additional training in either sports and fitness, band, ceremonial drill, aviation, range or survival. Cadets are paid $60 per week to attend and all travel fees are covered through the program.
Youth age 12-18 from Fernie, Hosmer, Sparwood and Elkford are eligible to join, and the squadron meets every Thursday at the Lower Sparwood Fire Hall from 6-9 p.m. except for sports’ nights, held the last Thursday of the month, in the Teck Hall in Elkford.
Lead image: The Elk Valley Air Cadets met with members of the Prevailing Winds Quintet, who have been performing for cadet squadrons across the East Kootenays. (Photo by S.L. Furedi)