Caneva, Ernest (1907-1992) | University of Illinois Archives

Ernest Caneva (December 8 1907 - April 4, 1992) was born in Asiago, Italy. The son of Luciano Caneva, a local band leader, Ernest began performing in the Asiago municipal band on the snare drum at age nine. He soon began taking clarinet, piano, cornet and vocal lessons. His first composition, Tarantella Capri, was composed for the Asiago band and later published by Leonard. In Italy, Caneva studied at the Collegio Baggio and the Vincenza Conservatory of Music. After the family moved to Lockport, Illinois in 1924, Caneva joined the Navy Reserve Band, performing with the ensemble for nine months.

Following his time in the military, Caneva furthered his studies at Northwestern University, DePaul College, and VanderCook College, where he received his bachelor of music and master of education degrees. All the while he performed with Chicago-area dance bands like the Golden Gate Ramblers Orchestra.

From 1932 until 1972, Caneva served as the director of bands at Lockport High School. During his tenure at Lockport High School, Caneva became a charter member of the American School Band Directors Association and the National Band Association, received a designation in First Chair of America in 1957, and was elected to the American Bandmasters Association in 1958. From 1972 to 1977, he served as band director at Providence Catholic School. In 1978 he was appointed the program coordinator of the Performing Arts Center in the Lock Port Park District.