History of the Cardinal Regiment Band in the 20th Century

​​​A Tradition of Pride & Excellence

​​Established in 1925, the band program at Santa Cruz High School is one of the oldest in California, and we are proud and privileged to represent our community and our school as we travel throughout Northern California and beyond. 

We strive to foster a sense of camaraderie and family amongst our members: color guard and musicians united as one team—the Cardinal Regiment. When we say band we mean all students in pursuit of a common goal. Our Boosters (band parents) work together for the same.

87 years and counting...

The program has endured countless budget cuts, changes in staff, student scheduling conflicts, fluctuating school spirit, declining student enrollment, a year of substitute teachers, and an endless bombardment of "band geek" jokes. It has witnessed the rise and fall of similar high school band programs statewide. Perhaps its greatest single achievement is that it continues to exist–even today–enriching the lives of students as it has done for nearly 90 years. ​
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Santa Cruz High School building in 1915

Highlights & Background History: 

  • 1876 Santa Cruz Senior High and Junior High are taught under the same of at the Mission Hill School. 
  • 1895 Santa Cruz High School is built. The wooden structure would burn to the ground 18 years later in 1913. 
  • 1915 the current Santa Cruz High main building is built, finally replacing the building destroyed in a fire 2+ years prior. 

History by the Decade

1920s

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1927 Band
  • 1919 Instrumental music is offered as an official class. 
  • 1925 the marching band is established, under the direction of John Squires. ​
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Director: John Squires
Director
  • 1920-34 John Squires 

1930s

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1936 Band
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1936 Orchestra
Director
  • 1920-34 John Squires 
  • 1934-46 John Farrar

1940s

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1947 Band
  • 1946 the marching band makes their first appearance at the East West Shriners Game. They would return 60 times before the game moved to Houston in 2007. 
  • 1948 The First Annual Spring Concert is held, under the direction of Edwin Taylor. 
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1947 Orchestra
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1945 Pep Band
Director
  • 1934-46 John Farrar 
  • 1946-48 Norman Walters 
  • 1948-50 Edwin Taylor 

1950s

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1954 Band
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1954 Drum Major and Majorettes
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1952 Department of Head, Norman Walters (Left) and Merle Good (Right)
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1958 Band
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1958 Pep Band
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1956 Orchestra
Director
  • 1948-50 Edwin Taylor 
  • 1949-62 Merle Good 

1960s

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1961 Band
  • 1961 Perhaps the "Golden Age" of music education at Santa Cruz High School, three music teachers are employed at the same time: Norman Walters, Choral and Music chair and former band director; Merle Good, Beginning & Intermediate Band; Silvester McElroy, Varsity Symphonic and Marching Band. 
  • 1965 the current music building is built with a state-of-the-art "bandroom." 
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1962 Band
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1963 Band Review
Director
  • 1949-62 Merle Good 
  • 1962-89 Silvester McElroy 

1970s

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1971 30th All Western Band Review
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1974 Band Review
  • 1970 (spring) the "Cardinal Band" marches at the Portland Rose Festival Parade. The morning after graduation (class of 1970), they chartered busses to the airport and flew to Portland to march the parade that same day. 
  • 1970 (fall) the band boosters and Mr. "Mac" McElroy establish the Santa Cruz Band Review. 
  • 1971 the band dons new RED uniforms. 
  • 1972 the band is officially nicknamed the "Big Red" Band. And it is, indeed. 
  • 1973 the band marches in the Chinese New Year Parade in SF. 
  • 1974 the band earns its first marching "Sweepstakes" award at the San Mateo Band Review in May. 
  • 1975 the band celebrates its 50th Anniversary. 
  • 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. 
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1977 Band
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1977 Band Review
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1977 Jazz Band
Director
  • 1949-62 Merle Good 
  • 1962-89 Silvester McElroy 

1980s

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1980 Band Review
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1982 Band Review
  • 1980 the "I.D. Unit" debuts its signature snake move (more commonly referred to as the "Santa Cruz Wave"), at the Concord Band Review. Former Drum Major, Ron Salinas, is the choreographer & coach. 
  • 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 3 consecutive years. 
  • 1982 the band marches in the Queen Victoria Days Parade in Victoria, BC, Canada. They receive 1st Place for small bands. 
  • 1985 the band marches in the Hollywood Christmas Parade. They would return to Hollywood to march in the nationally televised parade the following year. 
  • 1986 the band performs at the World’s Fair Expo 86 in Vancouver, BC, Canada, and the Queen Victoria Days Parade in Victoria. 
  • 1987 the band marches down Main Street, USA, Disneyland, for the first time. 
  • 1989 the band returns to Victoria, BC to march in the Queen Victoria Days Parade. Director of 27 years, Silvester McElroy, retires from Santa Cruz City Schools. 
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1982 Band Review
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1980 Jazz Band
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1982 Pep Band in Gym
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1982 Director: Mr McElroy
Director​
  • 1962-89 Silvester McElroy 
  • 1989-91 John Burn

1990s

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1990 Band Review
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1990 Band Review
  • 1992 the band returns to their former black & red, adds a plaid & brooch, establishes a piping unit, and takes on a new nickname "the Cardinal Regiment." That same year they received the Showmanship Sweepstakes award at the Fairfield Tournament of Bands. 
  • 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. 
  • 1994 the marching band survives a challenging year of substitute teachers. After a controversial debate, the booster club officers suggest a name change. The students vote to keep "the Cardinal Regiment" nickname. 
  • 1995 the Santa Cruz Band Review celebrates 25 years. 
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1990 Band Review, Drum Major: ​Todd Trowbridge
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​1990 Classroom, Director: Mr Burn
Director​
  • 1989-91 John Burn 
  • 1991-92 Dean McNair 
  • 1992-94 Ray Lindsey 
  • 1995-98 Eric Wiltshire 
  • 1998-99 Teresa Jones 
  • 1999-present Christina Latham