This program is focused on teaching youngsters and has a long track record of taking juveniles from the first time with a practise chanter or drum pad to the competition circle in less than a year.

Youngsters learn to play their instruments, but also learn the basics of marching - important not only in competition but for the many parades and other public appearances involving the band.

This band is led by Pipe Major Don Forgan, a Hamilton Police Service detective and the overall music leader of the organization. Forgan also personally teaches young pipers. Instruction is also available for fledgling drummers, from Grade Two lead drummer John Gaudet and some of his corps members, most of who won a World title in 2005 for the drumming prowess.

The band is typically bolstered by some adult players who are also fairly new to the pipes or drums, or have work and family commitments that limit their ability to learn, rehearse and play the music required by the higher level bands.

The band is following the lead of highly successful organizations like Simon Fraser University and Windsor Police by putting considerable emphasis on its youth program, hoping to grow musical skills within its own ranks rather than resorting to recruitment that can adversely affect other bands.

The youth element is also treasured by band members because of the lifelong friendships that have developed not only among the kids, but the parents and musician adults.

The 2004 Grade Five band that won at the Canadians and at Fergus played as Hamilton's Grade Four band in 2005. The 2005 edition, featuring many newcomers, played a limited schedule that year but wrapped it up by winning at the Ligonier Highland Games in Ligonier, Pennsylvania, against 14 U.S. bands.

The win was a tremendous signal that the youth program is working, and that the band's future was bright. A new crop of Grade Five players took to the field in 2006 and the band was in the prizes at several contests, including the prestigious Fergus Scottish Festival.