ARAPAHOE HIGH SCHOOL DRY CREEK DIXIE
DAWGS
(CENTENNIAL, COLORADO)
Members: Madison Munn (clarinet), Eddie Lyon (tenor sax), Melanie Brown (cornet), Dave Ellis (trombone), Nicole Jensen (banjo),Wes Leffingwell (piano), Alex James (tuba), and Kevin Matthews (drums)
This is a group of 10th, 11th and 12th grade musicians from Arapahoe High School in Centennial, Colorado, and has been in existence since 1987. The director and founder of the band is Dr. Ed Cannava, who has been a Littleton Public School Instrumental Music Teacher for the past 30 years.
The Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs have performed at the Summit Jazz Festival for numerous years. They performed in the 2000, and 2002-05 and 07 Sacramento Jazz Jubilees. They have also performed for the Denver Jazz Club and the Boulder Friends of Jazz. In 2003, 2006, and 2007 the Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs were awarded the prestigious Down Beat Outstanding Jazz Performance Award. The group has also been awarded numerous superior ratings at the Mile High, Skyline, and UNC-Greeley Jazz Festivals. In the past they received the “Best Combo” award at the Skyline Jazz Festival. The musicians within the band have also received outstanding musicianship and soloist awards at various Colorado jazz festivals. They have twice been featured on the KUVO high school and collegiate jazz showcase radio show.
Dr. Ed Cannava, Director of bands at Arapahoe High School for the past twenty-one years, received his B.M.E., M.M.E., and Ph.D. in Music Education degrees from the University of Colorado. He has studied under Bill Clark at the University of Colorado in Denver for additional training in traditional jazz history and performance.
The Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs are part of a successful, comprehensive instrumental music program at Arapahoe High School. Other Arapahoe ensembles have performed in events such as the 1998 & 2005 Carnegie Hall Youth Debut Series, the 2005 NYC St. Patrick’s Day Parade, the 1998 Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, the “Today Show” (1998), the 1997 televised Disney World Easter Parade, the 1991, 1996, 2002, 2003 and 2005 Colorado Music Educators Association Conventions, and the 1987 Montreaux International Jazz Festival. The Arapahoe Band has also performed on concert tours to Italy, Austria, Germany, Czech Republic. Switzerland, France, Monaco, England, New York City, Florida and Southern California.
The Arapahoe Wind Ensemble has been selected to perform in the 2008 Colorado Music Educators Association Convention. The Arapahoe High School Warrior Marching Band and Wind Symphony have been invited to perform in the 2009 London, England New Year’s Day Parade and Gala Concert Series. The Marching Band will also perform in Dover, England throughout their 8 day England concert tour.
The Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs performed in the 2004, 2006, and 2007 Evergreen Jazz Festivals. They have performed in numerous Summit Jazz Festivals over the last decade. The Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs were the featured entertainment for the 2004 and 2005 Western Welcome Week Fireworks Concerts. They also performed at Sunnie Sutton’s 2006 Rocky Mountain Jazz Party.
The Arapahoe High School Music Program was recognized as a Grammy Signature School for 2001 (only 100 U.S. schools were selected), and 2003 (one of only 50 selected). Arapahoe was also a finalist (only 100 nationwide) for the 2004 and 2005 Grammy Signature School Awards.
The Denver Jazz Club sponsors the Dry Creek Dixie Dawgs by providing the students with scholarships for private lessons from some of the best jazz musicians in the Denver area.