History

The San Benito Scarlet Regiment Band was formed on June 19th in the summer of 2001. The band inherited a rich tradition from the Baler Band that had been under the direction of various directors, the last director being Mr. Don Neddeau who retired at the conclusion of the 2001 school year and who was responsible for keeping instrumental music alive at San Benito.

The band was then reformed under the leadership of new Music Director, Mr. James R. Zuniga and new Guard Director, Mrs. Camille Zuniga. The band began with 13 members for the summer program. Their first performance was June 28, 2001 in Hollister, Calif.

The Scarlet Regiment then began to grow and the style of precision and discipline continued to be nurtured through out the remainder of the summer and the beginning of the 2001 - 2002 school year. The inauguration performance of the newly formed Scarlet Regiment as a competitive unit was on October 20, 2001 for the Santa Cruz Band Review where the band's scores were 87.55 total, 87 for tall flag and 90 for ID unit. There were no inspection errors and no penalties. The band placed in the top third of the 55 bands that were in competition including 7th in showmanship overall. Thus began the new traditions of excellence in performance.

The first 1st place trophy was on October 27, 2001 - Westside Band Review - Newman, Calif.

The first NCBA Championship under the new guard director was on Mar. 30 at Lincoln HS in Stockton, Calif.

The first time the band broke 90 was at the Las Vegas National Festival on April 20, 2002.

The first international tour was to Ensenada, Mexico on April 14 - 18, 2003 on the cruise liner MS Ecstasy.

The first MUSIC SWEEPSTAKES and PARADE SWEEPSTAKES were won at the Pacifc Grove Band Review on Nov. 1, 2003.

The first live radio broadcast was on March 2, 2005.

The first DOUBLE NCBA Championship win was on April 16, 2005.

The first time the band broke 90 in concert competition was on May 20, 2006 at Encinal Band Review with a score of 92.45.

The first local television broadcast was on Dec. 8, 2006 for the "Share the Holiday" marathon sponsored by KSBW Channel 8. This was also the first time a TV weatherman conducted the band.

The band's first logo was designed by Laura Cavanaugh for the San Benito Band Review.

The band's Official logo was designed by Matt Weir, Class of 2007 & is currently being used.

The first CCGC Scholastic National "A" Winterguard Championship ever won was in 2007 by the varsity winterguard. The following year the varsity winterguard won the title again. They repeated their win of the title the year after that for a triple win.

The first ever Combined Parade & Field Grand Sweepstakes award was won by the auxiliaries on Nov. 17, 2007 at the Tournament of Champions in Fairfield Ca.

The first NCBA concert festival adjudication was on April 19, 2008 at Santa Cruz HS. The band received a unanimous "EXCELLENT" rating of straight II's from the judges.

The first sight-reading adjudication was on April 19, 2008. The band received a rating of "EXCELLENT" (II).

The first return to the competition summer band circuit was on July 6th, 2008 at The Seaside Parade of Champions. The band scored an "81.5" with their music score being an "86.5"

The first time ALL winter units, (JV Guard, Varsity Guard & Winter drumline), won 1st place awards in their respective divisions in ONE contest was on March 14, 2009.

The first SUPERIOR rating for Symphonic Band was received on April 25, 2009 at teh NCBA Concert Festival, Santa Cruz.

The first EXCELLENT rating for Jazz Orchestra was received on April 25, 2009 at teh NCBA Concert Festival, Santa Cruz.

The first FIRST PLACE in jazz competition was won on May 2nd, 2009 at the Del Mar Band Review in San Jose. (Curtis Rodriguez - student jazz leader)

The first time the winterguard was promoted into National "AA" class was on January 9th, 2010 in evaluations.

The first time the winterguard has won a major WGI regional was on March 6th, 2010 @ James Logan HS in Union City.

At the conclusion of their inauguration year, the total awards won numbered 90...that is, TOTAL individual, group, auxiliary and combined band awards put together.

The San Benito Scarlet Regiment Band continues to grow with new horns, new percussion, new colorguard uniforms, new band uniform details, new equipment and a fresh new stylistic change ready to meet the challenges of performance standards for band.