Santa Cruz High School’s band director will join the Rose Parade in Pasadena on New Year’s Day, with Christina Latham among 300 band directors invited to make up a marching band of music teachers from around the country.
For 25 years, Latham has led the century-old Santa Cruz High Cardinal Regiment and directed the high school’s music program. Under her leadership, the high school marching band has been invited to perform at world-renowned venues such as the Kennedy Center and Carnegie Hall.
Latham said her work as a high school music director is rooted in “creating a community of people who love making music together and care about each other.”
While the high school marching band is not traveling alongside her to Pasadena for the 137th Rose Parade on Jan. 1, Latham will instead march with the Saluting America’s Band Directors parade entry.
Latham inherited a zeal for music from her family, and has been playing in bands since she took up clarinet in fourth grade and marched with her high school’s band. This experience inspired her to pursue a career in music as an adult.
Latham said she’s building up her endurance to play clarinet for nearly 2½ hours straight while walking the 5.5-mile parade route. She said she feels ecstatic about the coveted opportunity.
“The Rose Parade has been something I’ve watched for years as a band director and as a kid, and to actually be a part of something that is such a big deal is a huge honor,” she said. “Representing the Santa Cruz community, both as a school and a town, is really special.”
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