Dakota Ridge High School
Dakota Ridge High School is a comprehensive four-year technologically advanced high school that opened its doors on August 20, 1996. We celebrated our 20th school year in 2015-2016. It is one of 17 traditional high schools in Jeffco Public Schools, Colorado’s 2nd largest school district, serving over 86,000 students. DRHS is located in southwest suburban Denver with a total enrollment of 1400+ students. Click here to visit the DRHS Homepage
Mr. Cody Kiesling – Director of Instrumental Music
The DRHS Instrumental Music program is under the direction of Mr. Cody Kiesling. Mr. Kiesling is originally from Oregon and received both is Master’s (2024) and Bachelor’s (2020) Degrees in Music Education from the University of Oregon in Eugene, OR. During his time at the University of Oregon he was a member of the Oregon Marching Band (OMB) and finished his senior year conducting, as a drum major for the 2020 Rose Bowl. From 2020-2022, Mr. Kiesling was the Director of Bands at Siuslaw Middle and High School in Florence, OR. At Siuslaw, he was responsible for all band related activities which includes pep band during football and basketball games, parade marching, and all concerts for both the middle and high school band programs.
Our Program
The Dakota Ridge High School Instrumental Music Program serves over 150 students annually through our band and orchestra ensembles. Our program is comprised of:
- Curricular Options
- Wind Ensemble
- Symphonic Band
- Chamber Orchestra
- String Orchestra
- Jazz Band
- Extracurricular Options
- Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band
- Winter Guard
- Winter Percussion
- Musical Pit Orchestra
- Basketball Pep Band
- Students selected to local and state honor ensembles
- Chamber Ensembles/Solo and Ensemble opportunities
Symphonic Band
The DRHS Symphonic Band is the winds class for all woodwind/brass DRHS students. We prepare intermediate/advanced level wind literature. We meet on Navy days from 10:55PM-12:25PM.
Photo — Symphonic Band and Percussion Class at CBA Regional Concert Band Festival, March 2023.
Jazz Band
Jazz Band The DRHS Jazz Band is comprised of the typical jazz horn section (saxophone/trombone/trumpet) as well as the jazz rhythm section (piano/guitar/bass/drumset/accessories). We meet on Navy days from 9:15AM-10:45PM.
Photo — Jazz Band at DRHS Fall Concert, October 2022
Chamber Orchestra
The DRHS Chamber Orchestra is an auditioned orchestra that plays intermediate/advanced chamber orchestra literature. We meet on Cardinal days from 9:15AM-10:45AM.
Photo — Chamber Orchestra at CO ASTA Regional Orchestra Festival, March 2023
String Orchestra
The DRHS String Orchestra is a non-auditioned orchestra that plays developing/intermediate string orchestra literature. We meet on Cardinal days from 10:55AM-12:25PM.
Photo — String Orchestra participating in a clinic on stage at the CHSAA Orchestra Festival, April 2023
Percussion Class
The DRHS Percussion Class is the class for all percussionists at DRHS. We prepare developing/intermediate level concert percussion ensemble music as well as prepare the music that we perform with the DRHS Symphonic Band. We meet on Cardinal days from 1:15PM-2:45PM.
Photo — Percussion Class performing at DRHS Spring Concert, March 2023
Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band
The DRHS Screamin’ Eagles Marching Band is comprised of the marching band brass, woodwinds, percussion, and color guard. We perform at DRHS football games, pep events, homecoming events, and compete at Colorado Bandmasters Association (CBA) competitions around the state.
Photo — Marching Band End-of-Season Celebration, November 2022
DRHS Winter Guard
The DRHS Winter Guard is our indoor color guard ensemble that performs/competes at local Rocky Mountain Color Guard Association (RMCGA) and Winter Guard International (WGI) events. The DRHS Winter Guard is the 2023 RMCGA Scholastic A Champions!
Photo — Winter Guard at awards retreat, April 2023
DRHS Winter Percussion Ensemble
The DRHS Winter Percussion Ensemble is our indoor concert percussion ensemble that performs/competes at local Rocky Mountain Percussion Association (RMPA) and WGI events. The DRHS Winter Percussion Ensemble is the 2023 RMPA Scholastic Concert A Silver Medalist!
Photo — Winter Percussion after finals performance, April 2023
Musical Pit Orchestra
The Musical Pit Orchestra is the “soundtrack” to the Spring Musical every year! All musicians in the pit (other than piano and drums) are DRHS music students.
Photo — CHICAGO the Musical, March 2023 (the pit orchestra is down below, in the pit!)
Basketball Pep Band
The basketball pep band performs at some home games, helping bring energy and noise to the games!
Photo — Basketball pep band, February 2023
