December 9, 2003

 

 

Contact:            Dr. Ed Cannava

                        Arapahoe High School

                        303-347-6031

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

 

Arapahoe Warrior Marching Band Named Grand Champion 1st Place Band at 2003 Parade of Lights

 

Littleton, Colorado – The Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Ed Cannava, was named the Grand Champion 1st Place Band in the Excel Energy and Storage Tech Marching Band contests at the Parade of Lights in downtown Denver on December 5th and 6th.

 

This year’s theme was “Santa, Please Bring a Puppy for Christmas.” Each band member wore a puppy in a backpack, with multiple lights on their uniform. The sousaphone players wore full costumed puppy outfits, and the banner carriers dressed like puppies as well. The Color Guard dressed like little kids in pajamas, eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival. The band director wore a multi-colored, sequence-lit bow tie.

 

During the drum cadence, the band performed 360-degree turns followed by “Ghostbusters” boogie-style march steps. On December 5th, the band placed first in the Music/Marching competition, while on the 6th, the band placed second in the overall Lighting Presentation competition. Arapahoe won two cash prizes and placed first overall in the competition sponsored by Storage Tech. The Warrior Band has received an automatic bid to perform in next year’s 2004 Parade of Lights. This is the second time out of the last three years that the Warrior Band has placed 1st in the Parade of Lights Street Parade Competition.

 

The Arapahoe Band is led by drum majors Courtney Winn and Kim Haley.  Section leaders include: Mila Morgese, Flute; Nicci Wolters, Clarinet; Ethan Turner, Saxophone; Lauren Gamache, Trumpet; Jessica Swift, Mellophone; Rob Wojahn, Low Brass; Andrew Bentley, Percussion; Tricia Cannava, Color Guard; and Ashley Draper, Banner Carriers. Band lighting and decorating was coordinated by Ms. Susan Bell.

 

The 2003-04 Arapahoe Band staff includes: Fred Bowlus, Percussion; Katie Cumsille, Color Guard; Debbie Young, Flute; Heather Davis, Clarinet; Laura Jones, Saxophone and Bass Clarinet; Missy Steinbock, Trumpet; Ron Torp, Mellophone; and Jeff Craig, Low Brass.