January 12, 2009

 

Contact:           Dr. Ed Cannava

                        Arapahoe High School

                        303-347-6031

 

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Arapahoe Warrior Marching Band Wins 1st Place Overall Award at 2008 Parade of Lights

 

Centennial, Colorado—The Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band, under the direction of Dr. Ed Cannava, was named the 1st Place Parade of Lights Music and Marching Competition winner at the December 5th parade in Downtown Denver.  The band also placed second at the December 6th Parade of Lights Lighting and Overall Presentation Competition.  Arapahoe was named the overall 1st Place Marching Band for the 2008 Parade of Lights.

 

This year’s theme was “The Arapahoe Warrior Marching Band is Ringing in the Season with Silver Bells.”  Each band member wore a pair of silver bells, with multiple LED lights on their uniform.  The Color Guard, dressed in blue lights, performed complex choreography routines.  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.  Arapahoe won cash prizes for their first and second place awards.

 

The Arapahoe Band was led by drum majors Melanie Brown and Alyssa Barton.  The Warrior Band’s section leaders include:  Emily Haller, Flute; Nicole Jensen, Clarinet; Jordan Flatt, Saxophone; Jordan Leak, Trumpet; Blair Larson, Mellophone; Vince DeLaTorre, Low Brass; Molly Phenix, Percussion; Ashley Howald, Color Guard; and Nathan Wait, Banner Carriers.  The Warrior Band’s squad leaders include:  Kelly Churchill, Flute; Donna Villanyi, Clarinet; Tyler Gehring, Alto Sax; Jordan Leak, Mellophone; Krissy Cloyes and Sarah Churchill, Color Guard; and Jake Mirow coordinates the Cymbal Section.

 

Arapahoe’s Band Staff includes:  Fred Bowlus, Percussion; Kenny Bailey, Color Guard; Heather Davis, Clarinet; Fran Piazza, Flute; Tait Solberg, Saxophone; Missy Steinbock, Trumpet; Ron Torp, Mellophone; and Joe Walsh, Low Brass.  Jack and Renessa Jensen were the 2008 Parade of Lights Decorating Coordinators for the Arapahoe Warrior Band.