Wave Staff Report
WHITTIER — The Whittier High School Cardinal Brigade music program earned a series of group and individual accolades in April, marking one of its most successful stretches in recent years.
Led by second-year music instructor and band director Edward Mijares and his staff, Cardinal musicians are learning, growing, and becoming leaders on the field.
“It’s really exciting to see the students working so hard on their craft, and going above and beyond what is asked of them because they want to be part of something even bigger,” Mijares said. “Our musicians are motivated and passionate, and it has been a joy to see them work so well with our amazing staff.”
On New Year’s Day, three members of the Cardinal Brigade took their talents to the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. Whittier High senior Ramon Mendez (clarinet) and sophomore Darren Rico (trombone) joined the Pasadena City College Honor Band for the second consecutive year, while senior Phoenix Pint performed with the prestigious Bands of America Honor Band, a 300-piece national ensemble representing schools from across the United States.
“My experience with the honor band was fun but extremely difficult,” Pint said. “I only had two days to memorize three pieces of music and drills. I had never met a single person in my ensemble before that first day in Pasadena. It was a very rewarding experience and I couldn’t have asked to be with any other group.”
The Cardinal Brigade celebrated gold medal and silver medal performances in two separate Winter Guard Association of Southern California events, resulting in the first competition awards in years for both the Color Guard and Indoor Percussion Ensemble.
The Whittier High Color Guard received a gold medal at the Color Guard Championships in April at Marina High School, dominating the Scholastic AAA division and taking first place in all categories. The victory enabled the Color Guard to make an encore performance at UC Irvine’s Bren Center, alongside other competitive groups from across Southern California.
Whittier High’s Indoor Percussion Ensemble drumline received a silver medal after finishing in second place in the Scholastic Regional A division held at A.B. Miller High School in Fontana. The drumline earned first place points in the visual effects and music composition and performance categories.
“We have a team of great music coaches on our staff, and the relationships they are building with our students are bringing them great success,” Mijares said. “Both sides are motivated to excel. We are very creative in the way we design shows and are bringing the right aesthetic to the performance. This has been a very productive, sentimental, and significant season for the Cardinal Brigade.”
The Whittier High Festival Ensemble is a new music group created at the beginning of the 2025-26 school year. The ensemble is an after-school concert band that is open to all grades and musicians. The 30-member squad’s debut season has seen the ensemble receive a superior rating at the Southern California School Band & Orchestra Association’s District Festival, earning them a chance to play at the regional festival last month.
“We have a lot of kids who enjoy concert band and want to do something away from the pressure of the classroom, so we started Festival Ensemble,” Mijares said. “All musicians and all grades are welcome. Festival Ensemble is for the students who want to put in the work to achieve at a high level and enjoy the camaraderie of being in band.”
Mijares is a former drumline teacher who has been playing music since he was in elementary school. Growing up locally, Mijares graduated from La Habra High School, then attended Fullerton College and Cal State Fullerton.
Mijares still serves as a performer for Sidle Entertainment, which provides drumline performances for professional sports teams, including the Los Angeles Kings, Chargers, and Dodgers.
“We have so many talented musicians and performers and it’s wonderful to see them reach their potential and, in many cases, go well beyond,” Whittier High Principal Andres Favela said.
CAPTION
Three members of the Whittier High School Cardinal Brigade took their talents to the 2026 Tournament of Roses Parade. Senior Phoenix Pint, left performed with the prestigious Bands of America Honor Band, while sophomore Darren Rico, center, and senior Ramon Mendez, right were selected for the Pasadena City College Honor Band, both for the second consecutive year. The trio are seen here with WHS music teacher Edward Mijares.
Courtesy photo
