A Short History

In the 1903 pamphlet "the Climatology of California," the Federal Government officialized the term 'Santa Ana winds' for the powerful gusts sweeping out of the desert along the Santa Ana Canyon and hitting the greater Los Angeles basin by force - also known as feun winds.

Knowing he would leave his teaching job as band director of Santa Ana High School, Robert Ward, hearing about a nearby youth band, thought that creating a band for young musicians would be the ideal way to remain in the musical field. In June of 1971, Mr. Ward, Mrs. Kortje, and some more of his friends brought together a small marching band of local musicians between the ages of 14 to 21. They called themselves the Santa Ana Winds, referring to the powerful canyon winds, the city of Santa Ana (the County Seat of Orange County), and the musical term "winds" describing musical instruments that require air.

On October 20, 1971, the Board of Managers of the Santa Ana/Tustin Y.M.C.A. approved the band as an affiliate club. The Winds were appointed as the "Official Ambassadors of Music for Orange County" by the county Board of Supervisors. Their original uniform consisted of blue jeans, red jackets, and white mock turtlenecks. Band dues were $5 a month. The next year, dues increased to $7.00. Cal Poly Pomona sold their old black, white, green, and gold uniforms to the band.

The third season brought dues up to $10 a month, where they remain to this day, diligently being taken care of by Mrs. Kortje.

The group received a $1000 grant from Disneyland in 1975 for community service by a non-profit organization in the field of fine arts. That year, with hard work by recycling newspapers, the band earned enough money to buy new uniforms, choosing the colors red, white, and blue in a design we still wear today. This winter uniform, with its white front and blue back, was first exhibited at the 1976 Bicentennial Celebration, awing the spectators. This event helped Mr. Ward choose our theme song, "Tiger Rag," due to the reaction of the crowd to the powerful band, the playful Dixieland song, and this new uniform style. Since then, numerous bands across the nation have chosen to use this unique bi-colored design.

Our star logo was designed by Penny Parkinson, an Anaheim school teacher and artist. Mr. Ward told her he wanted a logo with an all-American feel and attitude. She produced a starburst design with the famous lopsided star in the middle. Originally white, the logo became its present red hue to add color to the band.

Through its 30 years, the Santa Ana Winds have become an international symbol of youthful America and musical pride. We have had over 3,500 members join the band. Mr. Ward still holds the helm, steering the young musicians toward greater musical understanding and respect. Each season adds new traditions, from our theme song "Tiger Rag" to our unique step-off on the right foot instead of the left, to our new left-handed "salute" when we come to attention. So let us be mindful of the past, honorable to the traditions, and grateful to the man who put it all together and, for 30 years, has kept his vision alive.

May the Santa Ana Winds never stop their powerful storm.