Bugles
When joining the band you are issued with a copper bugle. Once you can play four notes on the copper bugle and look after the instrument properly, you will be awarded a trumpet mouthpiece. This will get you ready for the silver bugle
When three current tunes (plus a couple of others) can be played confidently and you can also play duty bugle on practice evenings, you will then be in line for a silver bugle.
After this there is a silver bugle badge to work towards. To get a silver bugle badge you must be able to play lead bugle, play all bugle tunes and calls with confidence.

Drums
When you start to learn to play drums, you will start with sticks on a table and practice pads. It is not a good idea to start with a drum as it might damage the skin.
You will be able to carry drums on practice nights and learn the drum repeats and the drill for the drums, and how to maintain the drum. Once you can do that you will be asked to carry your drum on parade. You will have to learn all the drum repeats and drill and maintenance of your drum on parade.
To earn your badge you must be able to play all drum repeats, to play the drum marches, the drum salutes and to be able to be lead drum. Once you can do all of this you will get your drum badge

Glockenspiels
Practice static.
Practice your marching with the intrument on practice nights.
To march on parade you must be able to play at least three tunes and do the drill.
To get your glock badge you must be able to play all glock tunes with confidence.

Percussion - cymbals, tenor drum, bass drum
Ability to drill with chosen instruments before going on parade.
To make your percussion badge you must be able to play all three instruments and be able to swing on bass and tenor drums.
Once you can do these things you will get your heavy percussion badge

Stripes
These will be awarded at AGM’s only (once a year), musicians’ badges will be awarded at the bi-monthly meetings. These will only be awarded to competent, mature youth members which will be held until their 18 th Birthday.

Drum Major
4 Stripes – Awarded for being at the front of the Band and in Control
4 Stripes + Drum – Showing continued experience and ability
4 Stripes + Crown – To take control of the Band, the ability to organise Parades, lead a Mass Band etc