Programs
Santa Clara Vanguard Drum & Bugle Corps
The Santa Clara Vanguard is our World Class DCI unit, also known as the "A Corps." The average age of the corps in 2011 was just above 19. Most of the members are college students and many are or aspire to be music performance majors. To be eligible to participate in the summer of 2012, World Class Vanguard corps members must have reached the age of 18 by June 15, 2012 OR should be completing their senior year of high school by the end of May or beginning of June. High school sophomore and junior students are welcome to attend the Vanguard clinic/audition camp, but will only be able to audition for the Vanguard with rare exception.
Many of the Vanguard's 150 members are from the Bay Area and most are from California, although we have membership from nearby western, as well as midwestern and eastern states and even Japan, Europe and Taiwan. If English is not your native tongue, it is important to be fairly fluent in English to audition for either Corps, and we expect your English skills to be sufficient to allow for instruction by the time you move in for the spring.
Vanguard Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps
The Vanguard Cadets is our Open Class DCI unit and were the 2011 Bronze Medalists in that class. They have an average age of just under 17. Most members are in high school, although there are a number of members who are college students and choose the Vanguard Cadets experience to allow for high school semesters or college quarters that run into mid-June. Most of the approximately 110 Vanguard Cadets members are local to the Bay area and all are intent upon someday being members of the world class Vanguard.
Winter Guard
The Two-time World Champion Santa Clara Vanguard Independent World Winter Guard is an indoor color guard that travels and performs in competitions during the winter months each year. The World Class winter guard provides instruction for the experienced performer in the areas of dance, movement, and color guard choreography. Many members of the winter guard continue on with the Vanguard and Vanguard Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps during the summer, however, summer participation is not a prerequisite for winter membership.
Vanguard Winter Percussion
Vanguard Winter Percussion (VWP) is an indoor marching percussion ensemble that travels, performs and competes during the winter months each year. The ensemble provides instruction and performance opportunities for experienced young performers in the areas of marching percussion, concert "pit" percussion, and movement/choreography. Some members of the Winter Percussion continue on with the Vanguard and Vanguard Cadets Drum & Bugle Corps during the summer.
