Dixieland Combo is sponsored by ERHS’s Director of Bands Ms. Sally Wagner, who started the club in 1981.

Dixieland Combo currently includes 9 students who explore dixieland jazz, a type of music also sometimes referred to as “hot jazz,” and referred to by Ms. Wagner as “an original American jazz.” Students in the band play at school and community events.

“Dixieland Combo is a mostly student run organization, but I give advice here and there” explained Ms.Wagner.

Senior Andrew Skinner has been part of the club for 3 years. He describes the music as “amazing and fun to play,” and said that the music “really works the brain.”

Junior Jan Knutson, a third-year member of Dixieland Combo, shares the same passion as Skinner, and stated “Its the only reason I go to school. It’s great playing exactly what you want.”

Ms.Wagner comes from a background of music, and was the first woman band director for a high school band in Delaware. Throughout her 40 years of teaching, her bands have been recognized for outstanding performances.

She explained that her inspiration for music comes from her Junior high school band director. “He always had crazy stories to share and he was very funny,” she said.

“Wagner keeps us straight,” joked Knutson.