The Santa Clara Vanguard organization is a musical and movement youth activity which combines brass, percussion, dance and color guard into a competitive marching unit which travels thousands of miles each summer performing in large stadiums and other venues. The organization has a reputation of superior excellence known throughout the world.

The Santa Clara Vanguard (SCV) was formed in 1967 in Santa Clara, California. The SCV organization has two competitive drum and bugle corps: the Vanguard and the Vanguard Cadets, which are supported and sponsored by a booster club and an alumni association. We are the first organization in Drum Corps International (DCI) history to have two drum and bugle corps in the elite Top 17 of DCI Division I Championship competitions. Final performances of the DCI Championships top corps are broadcast each year on ESPN2.

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD (Six-time DCI Division I World Champions)
A world-renowned, world champion drum and bugle corps that travels between six and ten weeks each summer throughout the United States and Canada performing in competitive field shows and parades. The Vanguard provides instruction for the experienced through the advanced member in the areas of brass, percussion, dance and color guard. The Vanguard won its first championship in 1970 at the American Legion Championships in Portland, OR. In 1971, the Vanguard traveled to Dallas, TX and won the coveted Veterans of Foreign War Championships. In 1972, Drum Corps International (DCI) was formed with the Vanguard as one of the founding members. The Vanguard has won six DCI World Championship titles (73, 74, 78, 81, 89 and 99), along with many other regional championships titles. Membership is primarily between the ages of 16 through a maximum age 22 (if birthday is after June 1).

SANTA CLARA VANGUARD CADETS (2000 DCI Division II Champions)
The Vanguard Cadets travels approximately four weeks during the summer months across the United States and Canada performing in competitive field shows and parades. The Vanguard Cadets provides instruction for the beginner through the experienced member in the areas of brass, percussion, dance and color guard. Membership is primarily open to those between the ages of 12 - 18. The Vanguard Cadets are the 2000 DCI Division II Champions, 2000 Division I Semifinalist (Top 17), a DCI Division II Finalist every year the Corps has appeared at the DCI World Championships (91, 93, 98, 00, 02, 04, 06 and 07), and a 1993 DCI Division I Quarterfinalist (Top 25). The Vanguard Cadets are the primary training group for membership in the Vanguard. If you are a beginner, intermediate or are thinking of learning to play a brass instrument, dance or color guard, the Vanguard Cadets is designed to teach you these skills during the winter months, December - April.

Over the years, the Santa Clara Vanguard has developed a long-standing reputation for dignity and excellence. Our vision is to continue a tradition of pride, respect and excellence of a champion. The following are what attract most members:

Perform in front of thousands of fans Meet new friends Learn new skills in the areas of drumming, marching, color guard, or dance Improve on your instrument Receive personalized instruction from professional staff Be in an environment with high standards of discipline and integrity Be a part of a nationally recognized organization Be a part of the one of the best in the drum corps activity