It’s spring break for most B.C. students, but for some chosen cadets from around the province, March means tour time.
The B.C. Honour Cadet Band brings its annual concert tour to the Vernon Performing Arts Centre Friday at 7:30 p.m.
Being selected for the spring break honour band is a coveted prize amongst the 1,600 cadet musicians that populate cadet bands in 71 B.C. communities.
“This wonderful youth group deserves our support as they travel through southern B.C. on their spring break,” said Norm Crerar, president of the Okanagan Military Tattoo, to be held at Vernon’s Kal Tire Place July 23 and 24. “The Okanagan Military Tattoo strongly supports this concert and these musicians as many of them will be in the tattoo this summer.”
Under the direction of Lt. Carl McLean, the honour band is comprised of 50 of the top teenage musicians from the Royal Canadian Sea, Army and Air Cadets selected from across B.C.
The young musicians range in age from 14 to 18 years of age and the majority play at a level equivalent to Grade 5/6 of the Royal Conservatory of Music.
Many of them play in their community or school band as well as their cadet band.
The full concert band is complimented by pipes and drums and will perform popular concert music highlighted by military pomp and ceremony. This year’s theme is music from Hollywood.
This a non-ticketed event, and is free to the public to attend. Seating is first come, first served.