Welcome to the 2000-2001 edition of TigerRag, the official online journal of The Santa Ana Winds.

Ok, TigerRag is taking off slow, but then again I'm not big on promoting. Those who have sent articles are beautifully written, and I thank you very much, even you who don't wish to be named.

If you have anything to say, email SAW and please state in the title that your letter is for TigerRag. The nice thing about an online journal is it can continually be updated.

Rules:
No profanity.
No mention of rivalries (school or otherwise).
Nothing to disgrace other Winds members.

As editor, I have final say over what is published. By no means does this replace the Guestbook, which is for small comments and hellos to Mr. Ward. TigerRag is meant to satisfy the informational needs of Winds members and increase the strong unity among the group.

Everything's Coming Up Roses

A selected group of Winds musicians played for the Washington Huskies' Beef Bowl at the famous Lawry's Restaurant in Los Angeles. The carnivorous carousal commenced the team's voyage to the Rose Bowl. Television crews swarmed the band (resulting in nearly no air time, what a shock) and the group clearly enjoyed the delicious atmosphere provided by the Lawry's employees. They certainly enjoyed us! Afterwards, we dined on prime rib and some form of creamed spinach (at least, I was told it was spinach). In all, it was a successful performance, and I'd rather like to think the Winds helped to inspire the Huskies on to their rosy win over Purdue. As for the Santa Ana Winds, hopefully this is just a taste of things to come from the Tournament of Roses Committee.

Seattle It Is!!!

Well, the question is finally answered: we're heading to the Pacific Northwest. This will be an interesting trip and wonderful musical experience. Also, a trip up into British Columbia should be fun. And hopefully by July, there shouldn't be much worry about the recent earthquake and its impact on Seattle. Remember, get your passport soon and start saving up!

Remember, if you want money from our fundraising events (including certain parades), you must show up. Do not expect SAW to give you money if you put no effort into raising it. Try getting corporate sponsors. You'd be surprised how easy it can be, after the first few rejections. One company agrees to give $6000, and that's ten people paid for right there. Be sure you tell them it's tax deductible.

Upcoming Parades!!!

Lompoc
Montebello
Huntington Beach
Pacific Palisades
SEATTLE!!!

Are YOU ready for the parades this year?
Find them on the Schedule of Events.

What will you need?

*MEMORIZED MUSIC!
*Shoes (polished)
*Gloves (cleaned & bleached)
*White shirt with sleeves
*White shorts
*White socks
*Money for lunch
*Smiles and pride!

What will we play?

*Sempre Fidelis,
*Ancient & Honorable,
*Beer Barrel Polka,
*Alexander's Ragtime Band,
*St. Louis Blues,
*When the Saints Go Marching In,
*Strike Up The Band,
*America the Beautiful,
*Tiger Rag,
any other music from your memory packet.

Can I bring my family?

YES! We encourage parents to come and see their children in action and cheer them on. Plus, we often need extra vehicles for when our buses become over-crowded.

SA Winds on Parade

It's Sunday morning, and the city of Santa Ana sleeps. However, at 900 N. Broadway there is already much going on. Yes, the Santa Ana Winds are preparing for yet another parade. The sounds of tubas and percussion instruments being loaded on board a Stardust Tours bus can be heard.

Fellow band members greet each other as they run upstairs to the third floor to pick up their uniforms and equipment. Winds members board the bus and prepare to depart.

After all business is taken care of, Mr. Ward comes onboard and gives instructions for the day. As he does, off we go to catch the I-5 north.

The morning commute to the parade is quite enjoyable until Mr. Ward gets on the intercom and says "get dressed."

We arrive at our destination, check in, and prepare to do our usual thing before each parade. The bus is unloaded, Winds members get off and find their horns and begin to warm up. In a while, the drum major gathers the band and begins a warm up. Soon Mr. Ward takes over, and it's time for some serious business.

We practice our roll-off, our introduction, and our step-off for competition, and boy old boy! Mr. Ward gives us a good work out before the parade! So by the time we get ready to step off, we are more than ready for the parade.

Our turn to step off arrives, and we march gracefully towards the crowds swinging our arms to the sounds of the cadence. We play a couple of tunes for the crowds, and practice our competition march as well. The crowd cheers us on as we delight them with our wonderful music and graceful marching. As we near the competition zone, you can feel the excitement build up on the Winds. Everyone prepares to play, spin, march, and look good for the judges.

The sounds of cheering Winds members can be heard as we enter competition. Finally, we are at the halt line. The adrenaline is pumping and we are all excited and ready. The drum major does his flurish and gives the roll off. And just like that, the Winds are off. The first note of Ancient is accompanied by a graceful burst of confetti to add to our showmanship. The crowd loves it and the Winds feel good and march on proudly and gracefully.

As we approach the judges stand, we execute our waltz step with precision and accuracy. The letters salute, then the tall flags, then the drum major.

As we approach the end of competition, we repeat the march and play it again from the trio. The final rank passes the end of competition and we are through, but it's not the end. Oh no, not by a long shot, we still march on, for the parade is only about three quarters, or maybe even more done. Yet, as roll off after roll off after roll off is given, the Winds continue to play and entertain the crowd with the same spirit as in the beginning of the parade. After all, we are there to entertain the crowds, not just to entertain the judges!

As we near the homestretch of the parade and our bus is in sight, Mr. Ward gives that final roll off, and we play "Tiger Rag." Suddenly, the Winds become this really energetic and new band! Every single members plays that horn and spins that flag with a passion to show the other bands what we're about. It's the end of the parade, and the Winds blow right by with that dixieland tune, "Tiger Rag." Heads turn towards us, people watch and listen as we go by, and occasionally a drum major from another band salutes our drum major.

The mighty Santa Ana Winds have completed another memorable parade. The drum major dismisses the band, and then there is this sea of band members scrambling to put instruments and equipment away. There is cold water provided to us and a few minutes to relax after the parade. Then it's on to the awards ceremony where we stay as a group and wait and listen. Our efforts in competition zone are most of the time rewarded with that big six footer. It is then when the band cheers and jumps for joy, for we have won the parade!

All that practice on Monday nights pays off in these moments. The Santa Ana Winds bring home yet another six footer. May these Winds never die down and keep bringing the six footers home!

Winds' 30th Anniversary is HERE

This year marks the Winds' 30th anniversary, and I've been busy emailing alumni in preparation. Mr. Ward has many events planned to make this a wonderful reunion.

Could you make it?

If you were a member of the Santa Ana Winds at any time within the last 30 years, please email SAW whether you would be interested in attending a reunion. So far I've had numerous positive responses. Planning a date and location of the reunion and a possible alumni concert will begin soon. If you have e-mailed or snail mailed with your positive interest, you will receive a notice as soon as plans are in action. So please tell all your Winds buddies about this so they will have plenty of advance notice to prepare for this special event, a chance to get together once again.

College of the Season

To help high school students choose a wise educational plan, we're continuing the tradition of the original TigerRag by having our college-attending Winds members/alumni to write about their campus. If you are attending a college or used to attend one, and would like to write a little about it, please send us your comments and we will post them.

Enough said, now who wants to do the next college? Send us a small write up: what you like, what you don't like, and try to add a little info on the music program if you can. Thanks!

Fullerton College

Well, I used to attend Fullerton College a few years ago and was a music major too, but, sad to say, it got too tough for me, and that's why I don't want to mention my name (oh the shame of it!) I have to admit, Doc Mazzaferro is one of the toughest conductors you'll ever face, and one of the best friends you'll ever have. The music program at this school is no-nonsense. It's difficult! It's considered one of the best community college music departments in the nation. And if you get a chance to join the Cabana Boys, by all means take it!

The campus is one of the oldest in California, and it has a peaceful Spanish feel to it. One of my favorite things to do was sit under the brick arches by the music building and enjoy the breeze that brings the cacophonous sounds of the practice rooms, a Baroque tune from a distant guitar, or the flouting voice of a soprano.

The campus is compact, so prepare for a lot of stairs, but it makes getting around classes easy. Parking is a nightmare (as with any college), but there is a parking structure across the street (thankfully near the band room). That's one of the downsides to this campus. It's spread across four corners of rather major streets. There's a bridge connecting the north and south-east sections, but not the parking structure or the big concert hall. That's absolutely no fun if you have to move all your equipment over to Plummer Auditorium for concerts. However, once inside, the concert hall is breathtaking, with it's old Spanish dome and especially that famous Wurlitzer organ.

The area around the campus is wonderful too. Downtown Fullerton lays around you, restaurants and fast food joints abound, and the best jazz club in Orange County, Steamers Cafe, is only blocks away.

If you're a serious musician who can't yet afford the big university, Fullerton College is the place for you. Other programs there are great, like their Business and English Departments. Their music program is not to be taken lightly (trust me!) Oh, and beware of their flutist (for those of us who remember drum major Sheree Brewster.)

Past featured colleges:

Orange Coast College