A CAMPAIGN to attract more young musicians to join the famous Territorial Army Salamanca Band and Bugles of The Rifles is guaranteed full backing from North Tawton mum Janice Pike, a member for 22 years. Janice's musical talent — she plays the clarinet and saxophone — has been passed on to teenage son Devon, a cornet player.  And Devon aims to be one of the founder members of a youth band the Salamanca is setting up in April at the Millbay TA Centre, Plymouth, to help boost a much needed recruitment drive.  The problem for the band is that the majority of its members are now in their 50s or even early 60s.  Because the Army recognises the special skills musicians offer, many are able to continue their careers well beyond the age of the average reservist. Sooner, rather than later however, replacements must be found — with buglers very much a priority.  Currently, the band has three – and ideally needs as many as ten. The Plymouth initiative should make a big difference. It is also hoped to launch a similar initiative in Exeter.  Janice, a 44-year-old Corporal, admits she always had an ambition to join a Royal Marines band. She said: 'The Marines didn't recruit women when I wanted to start and the Salamanca Band had just changed from an all-male set-up — so I became one of the very first female musicians. 'It has been a wonderful experience, with opportunities to travel to Canada and many different European countries.'  This year promises to be extra special for the musicians. It is the TA's centenary and Janice and her colleagues, who are based at Wyvern Barracks, Exeter, will be very much in the public eye as they perform at a whole series of celebratory events — including the TA 100 Pageant at Horse Guards Parade, London.  The Band and Bugles of The Rifles —the Salamanca's official title — came into being when the new South West regiment was formed in February last year. Formerly the Band of the Devonshire and Dorset Light Infantry, it is steeped in history going back to the Napoleonic Wars.  It has two famous traditions — the distinct pace at which the bandsmen march (140 paces to the minute) and the use of the silver bugle, dating back to a time when early riflemen first used the instrument to communicate battlefield orders in preference to the more cumbersome drum.  Several members are ex-Regulars. There are a number of music teachers as well as a nurse, power plant operator, financial adviser and carpenter. Janice is a trainee pharmacy assistant and part- time coach driver.  The musicians are still fully fledged reservists, of course, and, although it was not the case a while ago, newcomers are required to undertake the basic training of any TA soldier.  Trumpet and cornet player Dylan Harries, aged 23, a computing student at the University of Plymouth, joined last May because he wanted to play in 'the best professional band' he could get access to.  'At the same time, I was quite happy to do the soldiering as well — and actually found it quite a lot of fun,' he said.  The new Millbay Youth Concern Band will be meeting at Plymouth's Millbay TA Centre on Thursday evenings and is seeking woodwind, brass and percussion players aged 11 to 20. They will have a chance to take part in workshops and joint rehearsals with the senior musicians as well as visits to other military bands.  For more information about the project and membership of the Salamanca Band call WO2 Clint Bray on 01392 492458 or email [email protected]">[email protected]