San Benito High School’s Scarlet Regiment Band Winterguard
drilled into victory Saturday, coming away victorious from the
Northern California Band Association Championships with three
wins.
Hollister – San Benito High School’s Scarlet Regiment Band Winterguard drilled into victory Saturday, coming away victorious from the Northern California Band Association Championships with three wins.
The band’s varsity and junior varsity winterguards were both named champions of the competition – varsity for the amateur winterguard class, and junior varsity for the novice class – held at Golden Valley High School in Merced. Also, the drum line received first place in the novice percussion winter class.
“I’m incredibly pleased with the kids,” said band director James Zuniga. “They really came up to the expectations, and then some. This year everyone has outdone themselves.”
The winterguard is descended from the military colorguard, but it has more to do with dance than it does with marching.
“It’s not just holding flags. It’s drill movement, dancing and spinning,” said junior Elise McDonald, member of the varsity winterguard. She joined the band three years ago because her friend was in it, but she has stayed because of the family environment and her love of dance.
“Dancing is one of my favorite things to do in life,” McDonald said.
Zuniga described the winterguard’s drill as a visual interpretation of music. During their performance, winterguard members spin colored, rectangular flags and move in choreographed patterns while pre-recorded music is played over loudspeakers.
“It’s military still, but more theatrical,” Zuniga said.
The band’s drum line came home from Merced with first place in the novice class.
“I was so excited. I was ready to scream,” said junior Mike Davidson, three year band member and drum line captain.
Davidson chose drums as a freshman, “Because I didn’t know how to play anything else.”
“I love the idea of playing music,” he said.
During the most recent competition the drum line – which performs choreographed moves while playing percussion instruments – played music inspired by the motion picture “SWAT”.
Since it was formed in 2001, the Scarlet Regiment Band has traveled throughout California for competitions – also competing in Las Vegas and Ensenada, Mexico – winning four championship titles in four years and all the way forging a legacy of success.
“We have a really great talent pool,” said Camille Zuniga, director of the winterguard. “The kids are very dedicated. We have a lot of administration and parent support. We have a great writing team. We all compliment each others’ strengths and shore up each other’s weaknesses.”
Zuniga wants more students to look at the Scarlet Regiment Band as an extracurricular option, adding that the band’s ongoing success will make it more attractive.
“I’m hoping it will get kids more interested in trying this,” he said.
Luke Roney covers education and agriculture for the Free Lance. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 335 or at [email protected]
