Our History
Before color guard, Santa Monica High School and Santa Monica College fielded a shared drill team - the Coronettes. However, amidst budget cuts in the 1980, the Coronettes were targeted for elimination until the band director at that time, Jim Hile, offered to fold the group into the pre-existing marching band. As part of that change, he re-organized the group into a color guard (or tall flag team) reflecting the current trend away from drill team, towards a more equipment-oriented auxiliary. This iteration of our team was modeled after the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.
The Santa Monica High color guard continues to reflect the dynamic character of contemporary movement training - using much more than just tall flags to express the music performed by the band. Body and Movement training form the foundation of instruction, with the equipment serving as an extension of the body. The training retains some of the military marching foundations that made up early drill teams, but is much more oriented towards modern dance.
Color guard is a full year class. After the marching band season in the fall, the Color Guard prepares a new competition show - often referred to as Winter Guard. We perform in shows sponsored by Winter Guard International, and by the Winter Guard Association of Southern California.
The Santa Monica High color guard continues to reflect the dynamic character of contemporary movement training - using much more than just tall flags to express the music performed by the band. Body and Movement training form the foundation of instruction, with the equipment serving as an extension of the body. The training retains some of the military marching foundations that made up early drill teams, but is much more oriented towards modern dance.
Color guard is a full year class. After the marching band season in the fall, the Color Guard prepares a new competition show - often referred to as Winter Guard. We perform in shows sponsored by Winter Guard International, and by the Winter Guard Association of Southern California.