NAUJAAT
The 3055 Naujaat Royal Canadian Army Cadet Corps started making noise of a different kind this past month.

Master Cpl. Susie Siusangnark taps out a beat on a practice snare head as the cadet corps begins forming its own band in Naujaat this past month. - photo courtesy of Lloyd Francis

The corps has started forming the first band its had in recent memory.

Commanding officer Capt. Lloyd Francis said the Naujaat corps now holds a band program every Tuesday.

He said the corps plans to start with five snare drummers, a bass drummer, four trumpet players and a pair of glockenspiel players.

"The Naujaat corps used to have a band at one time, from what I understand, but nothing for quite a few years now," said Francis.

"They'll practise really hard and, once they start learning their instruments well enough, they'll go out for special parades, special events such as Remembrance Day, and our final parade and award ceremony at the end of the year.

"The good thing is that during the summer, if they start to develop on their instruments, it will open-up more courses for them because the cadets has a wonderful band program.

"As band members they would have a lot more chances to travel out for events such as summer camp and honour band opportunities, as well as band competitions the cadet program holds."

Francis said one-third of the Naujaat corps, 20 cadets, came out for the first band practice.

He said that was even more impressive considering it was held at the same time as soccer.

"We're just, kind of, letting everyone practice for the first couple of weeks to let them figure out what they want to play.

"We have four trumpets, which is the hardest instrument to learn how to play, and we're down to five cadets who want to become trumpet players.

"We hope to have at least one cadet playing every instrument we have right now and, if the program becomes successful, we can look at ordering more in the future if the budget allows for it and the interest is there.

"Tusarvik School doesn't have a music program, so we've borrowed its trumpets and we really appreciate the school administration lending them to us."