Draft:The Santa Cruz High Cardinal Regiment

The Cardinal Regiment is a high school marching band from Santa Cruz High School, in the town of Santa Cruz, CA in the US. The band program at Santa Cruz High School is among the oldest in California and is under the current direction of Christina Latham. Created in 1925, the marching band (along with the band program's much newer subsidiaries, its drum line and jazz band) have been awarded numerous awards and trophies over the decades.

The Cardinal Regiment when marching down the street has all the typical features of a high school band including a color guard, a Drum Major, a sign that states the name of the school, and banner-holders (or standards) marching behind the band. The Cardinal Regiment is however very distinct from other bands in California because it marches in the Scottish style and uniquely features a bagpipe player or players and a Scottish style drum Major. Before a march is played, the band has a small group of students in a pipe band play a piece whilst the guard spins flags or other equipment. The Drum Major of the band spins a mace (typically made from malacca cane or some other similar synthetic material), in most cases wears a kilt and feather bonnet, and preforms beating of time with the left hand (which is different from American style drum majors who beat time with the mace in their right hand).

History
Founded in 1925 by the first band director John Squires, it is one of the oldest bands in California. It has gone through many band directors, names, and styles over the years, yet has remained the Cardinal Regiment in the Scottish style for over 20 years.

Role in the East-West Shrine Game
In 1946, the marching band made their first appearance at the East-West Shrine Game. The band had returned to play over 40 times in the game up until the game moved out-of-state in 2007.

Santa Cruz Band Review
In 1970, band director Silvester McElroy creates the Santa Cruz Band Review. The review is the largest in Northern California, with some 60 bands participating each year.

The parade route consists of the road outside and around the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

The Big Red Band
The band received new red uniforms in the early 1970s, earning them the nickname of the "Big Red Band." At this point in time, the band is in the American style and has a drum major spinning a signal baton.

Becoming the Cardinal Regiment
In 1992, the band returns to their former black & red, adds a plaid & brooch, establishes their iconic piping unit, and takes on a new nickname they go by today: "the Cardinal Regiment."

1993 Drum Major Jake Finley becomes the first to use a mace in competition in front of the band. He replaces a long line of award-winning military drum majors before him, and establishes a new line of award-winning mace drum majors to follow. A signal baton was used in the 30s, 40s, 50s, and early 60s.

Current participation in competitions
The Current Director, Christina Latham, is a member of the Northern California Band Association (NCBA), allowing the band to participate in many reviews and festivals. The Cardinal Regiment is a relatively prestigious in the NCBA and consistently places in the top box at every competition.

Full Band
The full band currently competes in band reviews, concert band festivals, and sometimes even other performances such as at fleet week up in Golden Gate Park in San Francisco.

Jazz Band
The jazz band that meets every morning before school is comprised of students who also participate in the marching/concert band. The jazz band will sometimes also preform at band reviews if a competition for it is offered.

Drum Line
All of the percussionists at a band review compete in the drum line competition after the parade portion of a band review.

Solo Drum Major Competitors
Some students choose to learn how to flourish with a mace and learn the skills necessary to be a drum major. Students are given the opportunity to participate in L-Patterns through the NCBA. As of late, students have also been competing in local highland games.

Notable awards and events

 * In 1974, the band earns its first marching "Sweepstakes" (or best-in-show) award at the San Mateo Band Review in May.
 * In 1977, the band takes 5th Place honors out of 13 bands in Class D at the All Western Band Review in Long Beach, "placing" in its class for the first time in its history.
 * In 1981, the band receives the Grand Sweepstakes award at the Ukiah Band Review in May. They would retire the trophy 2 years later by winning it in 3 consecutive years.
 * In 1982 the band marches in the Queen Victoria Days Parade in Victoria, BC, Canada. They receive 1st Place for small bands.
 * In 1985 the band marches in the Hollywood Christmas Parade.
 * In 1986 the band performs at the World's Fair Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC, Canada.
 * In 2005 the band marches in the King Kamehameha Day Parade in Waikiki, Oahu.
 * In 2006 the band, under the direction of Christina Latham, is invited to apply for the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. That same spring they received the Grand Sweepstakes award at the Del Mar Band Review in San Jose, by earning the highest combined score in both Concert and Parade competition.
 * In 2021, Drum Major Keegan McCoy earned the title of 2021 California State Drum Major Champion in Peacock's ADMC Circuit. McCoy was the first Drum Major from Northern California to win the championship. Keegan McCoy has since returned to Santa Cruz High and coaches the Color Guard for the Cardinal Regiment.
 * In 2023, the Santa Cruz High Band was one of six high school bands across the nation invited to play in Carnegie Hall in New York City for a festival.