Piping and Drumming within the Cadet Forces of the UK have gone from strength to strength. When training started for aspiring pipers and drummers within the cadet forces, there was only a small number of cadets that attended the initial training events. This has continued to grow over the years to what it is now with around 300 Cadets from all of the 3 Services (Army Cadets, Air Training Corps and Sea Cadets) throughout the UK.
Public Performance is a major focus of the Cadet Forces Piping and Drumming activity. It provides essential experience in the development and learning of cadet pipers and drummers. Over the past three years Cadet Pipe Bands have participated in over 300 engagements and have played on the international arena in Sweden, on the Berlin Tattoo on two occasions and at the Christmas Tattoo in Basel and Zurich, Switzerland. The Massed Pipes and Drums of the Cadet forces have also had the honour to perform Beatings to Retreat on 2 occasions at Balmoral Castle for Her Majesty the Queen and as part of the Household Division Beating to Retreat on Horseguards Parade. The standards being reached are of the highest quality, enhancing the reputation of the Cadet Forces on the international stage.
During the Easter break, the Cadet Pipes and Drums meet at Cameron Barracks for an annual camp. During this period, they receive tuition and gain qualifications through the SQA and Piping and Drumming Qualifications Board (PDQB). The course used to finish with 2 beatings to retreat in Dingwall and Inverness, however, the Cadet Pipes and Drums are now entering a new era of where they are taking their live performances to the stage and performing concerts featuring a mixture of traditional and contemporary pieces.