Dance, Movement Training, Flags, Rifles, Use of Equipment in Performance - all these things make up the Color Guard - an integral part of the Marching Band. Santa Monica has an important place in the historical development of what is often called an auxiliary to the marching band.

Kay Teer Crawford, who created the drill team concept, taught for many years at Santa Monica College. She established the Coronettes - SMC's drill team. The high school and the college were all part of one district at that time, and for many years Samohi fielded a drill team with the marching band.

Around 1980, California schools were making many cuts to save money. The drill team was targeted for elimination, however, the band director at that time, Jim Hile, offered to fold the group into the 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. Drum Corps International was exerting ground breaking influence which would completely change the character of field shows performed by marching bands. Samohi's color guard was initially modeled after the Santa Clara Vanguard Drum and Bugle Corps.

The Samohi 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.

The color guard at Samohi is a full year class. Students receive P.E. credit - just like the athletic teams and cheer leaders. After the marching band season in the fall, the Color Guard prepares a new competition show - often referred to as Winter Guard. Samohi performs in shows sponsored by the Winter Guard International , and by the Winter Guard Association of Southern California.

2010 Winter Dates

Here are the prelimnary dates for the 2010 Winter Competitive Season:

Dec. 18-20 - WG Staging Camp (tentative)
Jan. 8-10 - WG Camp #1
Jan. 22-24 WG Camp #2
January 30 - Floor Painting
February 6 - Floor Painting
Feb. 13 Bellflower HS
Feb. 27 West Ranch HS
March 13 LA Invitational @ Saugus HS
March 21 - Bonita HS
March 27 Downey HS
April 17-18 WGASC Championships @ Rancho Cucamonga

Color Guard Instructional Staff - 2009 - 2010

Kyle Miller - Color Guard Instructor

Jody Anderson - Color Guard Instructor

Juan Gonzalez - Color Guard Instructor

Mike Corrigan and Terry Sakow - Band Directors and Color Guard Supervisors

2010 Winter Show

"When the Storm Comes"

Music - The Lightning Strike by Snow Patrol