Waterloo Region Police Band Donates $6,000 To Scout House Cadets

The charity arm of the Ceremonial Band of the Waterloo Region Police Service (WRPS) is donating $6,000 to Preston Scout House Cadets drum and bugle corps as part if its support for area youth and music groups.

Other community groups which will receive funds from the Ceremonial Band, which wears the WRPS uniform, include the Ayr-Paris youth band, Royal Canadian Legion branches and area food banks. The charitable status no longer fits the operation of the organization, which receives funding from Waterloo Region Police Service. Funds not distributed to appropriate community groups would otherwise have to be paid to the Canada Revenue Agency.

Formed in 1977, the Ceremonial Band includes about 50 musicians and 10 colour guard, all volunteers from the Police Service and the community. The band performs in street parades, concerts, military tattoos and special ceremonial functions including the Canadian Police Officers Memorial Service held each year on Parliament Hill in Ottawa.

Despite drastically reduced activities during 2020 because of pandemic restrictions, Scout House still received strong community support, including a $3,500 grant from the city of Cambridge and a donor designated grant of about $1,100 from the Cambridge and North Dumfries Community Foundation. The tradition of support from the city extends all way back to the 1940s when Preston town council began providing annual financial support to Preston Scout House Band

All Preston Scout House Band Inc. activities are currently suspended until group activities are again allowed by the government of Ontario.

Preston Scout House Band Inc. offers individuals of any age the opportunity to “Arrange the soundtrack of your life” in marching arts activities starting as young as age 8 and continuing throughout life. These units are:

*Preston Scout House Cadets drum and bugle corps for young men and women up to age 22.

*Preston Scout House Band is for those over age 18, performing concerts, parades and other special events in the Cambridge area.

*Silver Leaves Brass ensemble and percussion accompaniment, appearing at drum corps and community events throughout the year across southern Ontario and upstate New York.

*Magic of Scout House competitive winter guard, established in the fall of 2014 and winners of five consecutive North East Color Guard Circuit championships.

*Heritage Drill Team, with members wearing tight black shorts, knee socks, short sleeved burgundy tunics, white gauntlets and Aussie hats as in the 1950 and ‘60s.

For more information about Preston Scout House Band Inc. activities, contact telephone (519) 653-3376, email prestonscouthouseband [dot] adm [at] sympatico [dot] ca or visit the website at: scouthouseband.com