Meet the Director

Mr. Otis is entering his 24th year of teaching.

Mr. Otis olotis@dcsdk12.org
began his teaching career at Gateway HS where he was the Director of Bands and Dept. Chair for 3 years. Orlando was awarded the outstanding 1st year teacher award as well as 1 of the 3 outstanding teachers in the building award 2 out of 3 years. In 3 years the Gateway band program grew from 65 students to more than 140 students. After a short stint in the music business world, he returned to teaching as the Director of Bands / Orchestra and Dept. Chair at the Denver School of the Arts in DPS. The DSA music programs under his direction received numerous awards and recognitions at local, regional and national festivals, competitions and performances. From 1991-1997 he was also the director of the award-winning Denver City Wide Marching Band. The band marched at 6 National Bowl Games, Performed at the G8 Summit as a guest of Denver Mayor Wellington Web and President Bill Clinton and the band 200 members strong, marched at the 1997 Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA. Mr. Otis was also the guest conductor for the citywide jazz and symphonic bands on 5 occasions as well as co-director of the Denver Junior Police Band for 2 years. In 1997 Mr. Otis received the prestigious Governor’s Award for “Excellence in Education” presented by Governor Roy Romer. Orlando then moved to the Douglas County School District where he opened Chaparral HS and was recognized by IBM-Storage Tech/KYGO and Appleby’s for education excellence. During his 11 years as Band Director and Performing Arts Dept. Chair, his Chaparral music ensembles performed at CMEA, the Reno International Jazz Festival, the Hollywood Christmas Parade, the Gator Bowl, the National St. Patrick’s Parade in Ireland, the National Hawaiian Day Parade in Honolulu and at both Disney World and Disneyland just to name a few. Mr. Otis’ Chaparral Marching bands qualified for either qtr. finals or semi-finals in each of the 8 years they competed. His jazz bands have been recognized as one of the best in the state (performing at CMEA) and his wind ensembles consistently receive superior and excellent ratings at state and national festivals. Mr. Otis founded the CHS: “High Plains” Jazz Festival, which ran for 12 years. It hosted thousands of young aspiring jazz musicians and more than 50 local and national jazz artists over the years(Louis Hayes/Fred Wesley/Nelson Rangell/Terell Stafford/Tia Fuller/Javon Jackson/Brad Leali/Rudy Royston/Darren Kramer/Greg Gisbert/Jeff Jarvis/Sean Holt have been a few of the Artists over the years). In 2009 Mr. Otis and the Legend HS Jazz Students started a new jazz tradition in the state, The “Legends” Jazz Festival. Mr. Otis has been nominated 6 times by former students to be recognized by Who’s Who of American HS Teachers. Orlando is proud of all his students and especially proud of his many students and/or student teachers, who are now teachers, music teachers or professional musicians.

In addition to his Douglas County School District responsibilities, Mr. Otis is beginning his 15th year as the Director of the Colorado Honor Band Association, Symphony Winds. Orlando is only the third Director in this capacity during the organization’s 58 year history. His Honor Band ensembles have performed at CMEA and in festivals throughout the U.S. and all over the world including: Florida, California, Hawaii, Switzerland, Germany, England, France, New York, Washington D.C. and the Bahamas. Recently, Mr. Otis was selected to lead the Orlando Otis Jazz Orchestra, made up of the state’s top professional jazz musician’s, gospel singers and soloists- celebrating Duke Ellington’s Sacred Concerts.

Mr. Otis, was a member of the Chaparral planning team and was also a key member of Legend HS planning and core team. Mr. Otis is honored to lead the Titans Performing Arts Department and Band Program. Mr. Otis is a graduate of Louisiana Tech University, plays, trumpet, piano and composes and records music. Mr. Otis is a member of the state marching committe and his other professional affiliations include: CMEA, MENC, CBA, ASBDA, IAJE, Kappa Kappa Psi and Phi Mu Alpha.

Orlando has served on numerous district and building committees throughout his career and is active as a clinician and adjudicator throughout the state. Mr. Otis lists his Mother, Father, Dr. Barbara Batey, Dr. Mary Gill and Steve Gonzales as influential figures in his life.

The “Legend Titan” Experience has Begun!”

To be continued…………………….