Veterans Day 2009

Congratulations, and thank you, to the members of the North High Chamber Choir and the North High Wind Ensemble for their musical contributions to today's Veterans Day Assembly at DGN. 

Singin' In The Rain

Congratulations to the cast, crew and orchestra of the 2009 DGN Musical: Singin' In The Rain!

Trick or Treat?!

Our front office staff is second to none! The Fine Arts Department
wishes everyone a Happy Halloween!

Albert Einstein Gymnasium Jazz Band

DGN was pleased to welcome the Albert Einstein Gymnasium Jazz Band
from Germany. The band is on a two week American tour and performed
for 6th period music students in our Wind Ensemble and Orchestra.

"Build An Instrument" Project Presentations

Congratulations to the members of Mr. Miller's classes who presented
their new instruments in class today!

IMEA District Band/Choir/Orchestra/Jazz Results (2009)

This evening North High received notification that forty-two student musicians were selected to the Illinois Music Educators Association District Honors Ensembles.  Congratulations to the following All-District musicians:

BAND STUDENTS:
Shauna Bracken (10) Trumpet (Band)  
Brandon Broholm (11) Tuba (Band)
Emily Daugherty (12) Flute  (Band)
Joseph DePeder (12) Tenor Sax (Band)
Erin Elgass (9) Alto Sax (Band)
Nick Goergen (12) Drum Set (Jazz Band)
Kevin Gupana (11) Oboe (Orchestra)
Caroline Hlohowskyj (12) Trumpet (Band)
Caroline Hlohowskyj (12) Trumpet (Jazz Band)
Marie Kirkegaard (11) Bb Clarinet (Orchestra)
Jennifer Poad (12) Bass Clarinet (Band)
Rudy Rendek (12) String/Elec Bass (Jazz Band)
Emma Sassano (12) Percussion (Orchestra)
Stephen Shatzer (10) Bassoon (Orchestra)
Jonathan Sheetz (10) Contra-bass Clarinet (Band)
Bryn Sitkiewicz (12) Trombone (Jazz Band)
Andrew Stawarz (12) Tenor Sax (Band)
Isaac Stevenson (11) Percussion (Orchestra)
Mike Walser (12) Alto Sax (Band)
Mike Walser (12) Alto Sax (Jazz Band)
Josh Williams (12) Baritone Sax (Band)

CHOIR STUDENTS:
Tom Cannon (12) Tenor II   
Devin Collett (10) Soprano I   
Abby Gardner (11) Alto I   
Eileen Grogan (12) Alto I   
Ally Haley (11) Alto II   
Liz Havenga (11) Soprano II   
Kaitlin Jeffries (11) Soprano II   
Catie Krygeris (12) Alto I   
Colin Ludlow (11) Bass II   
Kirsten Rush (11) Soprano II   
Josh Smith (11) Tenor II   
Caroline Sterr (11) Soprano II   
Allison Williams (12) Alto II

ORCHESTRA STUDENTS:
Chloe Burnham (12) Violin
Lauren Kovanko (10) Viola
Meghan Lyda (10) Cello
Colette Mondragon (12) Viola
Erin Portman (11) Cello 
Rudy Rendek (12) Violin
Meghan Schmitt (11) Cello 
Hannah Young (10) Harp   

Marching Band Salutes Seniors

The 2009 Football Season concluded on Friday evening with a muddy loss to conference rival Glenbard West.  But the cold wet weather could not dampen the spirits of the Trojan Marching Band, especially the Class of 2010, who appeared in their final football game performance. 

Congratulations to all the members of the Trojan Marching Band for a great season.  The community looks forward to seeing you again - on Thanksgiving morning - at the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL. 

D99 Fall Orchestra Concert

The District 99 Concert Orchestra performed with musicianship and precision. The nuances of Dreams of a Midsummer Night show the sonic strengths of this ensemble.

Symphonic Orchestra performed all four movements of the challenging Simple Symphony by Benjamin Britten. The musical maturity and technical precision of this mature ensemble was evident in the professional performance of this masterwork.

The evening concluded with Concerto Grosso, conducted by DGN senior Rudy Rendek. Featured soloists Colleen Doyle (O'Neill MS,) Lindsay Klecka (Herrick MS) and our own Jennifer Mullen played kazoo along with the combined orchestra. Great job to all the students, staff and parents that collaborated to make this evening such a fabulous event.

Herrick Orchestra Opens Fall Concert

On Thursday, October 15, 2009 our District 99 Orchestra presented their Fall Orchestra Concert. This concert is annually shared with our two sender school string programs in District 58. This year, the renowned Herrick Orchestra opened the evening. Led by conductor Lindsay Klecka, the group performed four selections, including the exciting Russian Sailors' Dance. Great job to these future District 99 string musicians!

Guest Artist - Drew Nelson

Today North High welcomed critically acclaimed singer/songwriter Drew Nelson to campus.

"Every generation has its poets; the writers, musicians, and lyricists who capture the spirit and longings of their time.  Those who give expression to our own personal memories and dreams as though they know us.  They tell our stories, giving us the words we need to celebrate or let go.  That is the soil in which singer/songwriter Drew Nelson has been toiling.  Legendary songwriter John Gorka said "Drew's songs sound like the rest of us feel.  His characters are anything but defeated. They are dazed, angry, amazed and climbing."

Special thanks to our North High Music Boosters for supporting Mr. Nelson's appearance in guitar, orchestra, choir, band and MIDI music classes today.

Band O Rama 2009

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band, as well as
the Athenas and Cheerleaders for great performances at the 2009 Band-O-
Rama!

Composer Returns to Campus

Composer Don Owens was back on campus this past week to check-in with several students who will be performing major segments of his new concerto for percussion trio and harp.  Professor Owens, pictured here with harpist Hannah Young, is working on a piece that will be debuted by the DGN Wind Ensemble in May of 2010.

Chamber Choir performs at the Traveling Wall

Members of the North High Chamber Choir, under the direction of Dr. Piekarz, performed the National Anthem this morning at a ceremony in Downers Grove honoring Vietnam War Veterans as well as those who died in combat.

London 2011 Tour Orientation Meeting / Tour Blog Launched

A new London 2011 Tour Blog has been launched to provide DGN Band students (current and future) with pertinent information relative to the 2010-2011 performance invitation. Click on the logo above (or here) to be redirected.

Parents/guardians of students who anticipate being enrolled in the DGN Band during the 2010-2011 academic year will be receiving - by email - an invitation to attend a Tour Orientation meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (7 PM), in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Details will be distributed electronically to families by October 1.

A Hard Day's (Homecoming) Night

It was a long day ("A Hard Day's Night"?!) for members of the band, with many performances spanning the events of Homecoming 2009.

Images include the Marching Band at the Homecoming Assembly, DGN Fine Arts Teacher Barb Hertko, who was honored in the parade as one of our 2010 retiring teachers, the Color Guard in the Parade, and shots of Alumni Band members with their family members who are current members of the Trojan Marching Band.

Homecoming Week Celebrations Continue

Members of the Trojan Band perform in the Main St. Lobby on Thursday morning for Homecoming.

London Calling

Continuing coverage of the band's invitation to perform in the London New Years Day Parade (2011):

• Downers Grove Chronical (Blog)
• Reporter Progress Newspaper
  

Homecoming Variety Show

Congratulations to the students and faculty performers of the 2009
Homecoming Variety Show!

London Invitation Covered by ABC-7 News

Click on the image above to be redirected to the ABC-7 story and video from tonight's newscast.

DGN Band Invited to London - 2011

Click on any thumbnail for a larger image.

Dear North High Band Families:

We are extremely pleased to share with you some very exciting information. Today our school, and our band program specifically, was honored with an invitation to perform in the 2011 London New Year’s Day Parade.















The highly prestigious traditional turn of year celebration in the UK capital is established as the biggest event of its kind anywhere in the World. More than 10,000 performers from all corners of the globe entertain a street audience of around 500,000 – and a global TV audience of tens of millions. Patrons of the event include the Lord Mayor of Westminster, the Archbishop of Canterbury and senior representatives of the American community in London.

Lord Roger Bramble – the Deputy Lieutenant of London – Her Majesty The Queen’s Representative – traveled to North High School today to meet with members of the band and to extend the invitation to participate in the 25th Anniversary London New Year’s Day Parade on January 1, 2011. Accompanying Lord Bramble to North High this afternoon were Mr. Robert and Ms. Geraldine Bone, Directors of the London Parade.

This prestigious invitation, offered to a small handful of college and high school bands in the United States each year, honors the hard work, dedication and musicianship of our students. This includes our seniors, who – while contributing to the selection through their musical gifts – will not be enrolled at North High at the time when the band will make the trip. It also recognizes the tremendous support our school enjoys from parents and guardians. To each, we send our congratulations and gratitude.

All students enrolled in a curricular band course for the 2010-2011 school year will be eligible to participate in this tour. More information will be forthcoming in the next month about tour details, eligibility requirements, and opportunities for students to fund-raise in anticipation of the tour. As you can imagine, a “once in a lifetime” tour of this magnitude will only be successful if we work together to maximize resources and make every effort to support students who wish to participate and give them the tools they need to raise the funds associated with participation. In the meantime, we encourage students to begin saving now. We will also be sharing this information with current 8th grade band students who will be at North High next year so that they might also begin a process of fundraising.

We encourage families to begin learning about the London New Years Day Parade. Please visit:

www.londonparade.co.uk

Congratulations!

Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson
William Miller, Music Teacher and Director – Trojan Marching Band

Cross-Town Collaboration

Congratulations to the members of the North High Trojan Marching Band, the South High Marching Mustangs, the North High Chamber Choir, and the South High Madrigal Singers for their combined performance of the National Anthem just prior to the start of the annual Cross-Town Showdown. Conducted by North High music teacher (and South High alumnus) Dr. Frank Piekarz, over 300 student musicians shared their musical gifts with the District 99 community.



































Following the shared performances at half-time, Drum Majors from both bands exchanged gifts in a show of unity and support.

Marching Band Thrills Audience at Home Opener

The accolades are pouring in via email after the Trojan Marching Band performed under the lights for the first time in 2009. Congratulations to all the members of the band for their hard work during Band Camp, and in the weeks that have followed, to prepare for the season.

Video of the pregame and halftime shows from 9.4.09 are posted here. Students are encouraged to view the video as a learning tool as we prepare for a busy upcoming week. Due to the holiday weekend, and two performances this coming week (Sept. 11 & 12) we will not be able to take time during class to review the video.

2009-10 Fine Arts Honors Program Documents Now Available

Students interested in pursuing the District 99 Fine Arts Honors Program may access PDF files of the Program Handbooks, and Application, by following the links below:

Music Handbook

Visual Art Handbook

Program Application (Due September 18, 2009)

D99 Orchestra Tour Blog

Ms. Mullen has created a new D99 Orchestra Tour Blog for students/families that will be participating in the 2010 European Tour. A link may be found in the 'Program Links' to the right, as well as by clicking here.

A New Member of the Family!

The Fine Arts Department is pleased to announce the arrival of Ellery Kathryn O'Riordan, born Tuesday, August 25th at 10:54 AM. Mom (our very own music teacher Beth O'Riordan) and baby are doing well.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. O'Riordan!

Band Camp Showcase

Like clockwork, the skies opened up and rain came down just as we were about ready to begin our Band Camp Showcase for parents, family and friends. Not to be deterred, the exhibition and Ice Cream Social were both moved into the DGN Field House.

Congratulations to the members of the 2009 Marching Band for their great work this week, and thank you to Mrs. Box (and all the parent volunteers who assisted her) for organizing our post-performance Ice Cream.

Band Camp 2009

Today DGN welcomed back the full membership of the Trojan Marching Band for Band Camp 2009!

Band Leaders Gear Up

Members of the DGN Marching Band's Student Leadership Team are meeting this week for three intensive days of training. On Monday students participated in both teams training and high-ropes course training at Lincoln-Marsh in Wheaton, IL.

"Artist uses more than a paintbrush" - from July 15 Reporter/Progress

DGN visual art alumnus and U of I Art Education major Joe Anderson was recently featured in a Reporter/Progress article. Click here to read it.

Rain Can't Dampen Spirit of Independence

Congratulations and thank you to the members of the District 99 Summer Marching Band for two great performances in community parades today. Members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band and the DGS Marching Mustangs joined forces for the Darien and Downers Grove Independence Day Parades. Great work everyone!

Tweet from DGN Fine Arts (@DGNFineArts)

http://twitter.com/DGNFineArts/status/2301201696

"DCI Champs "Phantom Regiment" to practice @DGN Sat. Open rehearsal
1-4PM. This is a 'must see' for fans of marching bands & drum corps!!"
- DGN Fine Arts (@DGNFineArts)

BT

Drum Majors attend 'Music For All' Leadership Training

DGN Trojan Marching Band Drum Majors are attending the "Music For All" Summer Symposium this week. Seven days of intensive training kicked off on Saturday with the Leadership Weekend.

Follow the Music For All Summer Symposium Blog here.

Sporting her DGN Music Florida Tour t-shirt, Drum Major Emily Daugherty enjoys the opportunity to meet students from all over the United States.

Chamber Choir Farewell Concert

Congratulations to the members of the 2008-09 Chamber Choir for their incredibly musical Farewell Concert. Family, friends, and DGN alumni joined the choir for an evening filled with reflections and musicianship. Over 25 Chamber Choir Alumni joined the choir on stage for the Finale.

Jazz In The (Auditorium) Park

Inclement weather precipitated a venue change, however, the excellence of jazz performance in District 99 remained undaunted last evening. The DGN and DGS Jazz Lab Bands and Jazz Ensembles performed in addition to the D99 All-Star Band directed by Bill Miller and Craig Roselieb. Highlights included mambo dancers, vocalists, and faculty guest artists from both campuses.

Special thanks to the Downers Grove Park District for their continued support of this event, which kicks-off the Tuesday night Concerts in the Park series in Downers Grove.

Tonight's Jazz In The Park Concert Moved

This evening's Jazz In The Park Concert has been moved to the North High School Auditorium, 4436 Main Street, 60515. The concert will begin, as scheduled, at 6:30 PM. Food vendors will not be selling this evening.

We hope to see you tonight for a great evening of jazz!

DGN Band Honors, Remembers on Memorial Day

Nearly 150 members of the DGN Bands participated in the Downers Grove Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony at Fishel Park today. Thank you to all the band members who volunteered their time on this holiday weekend for this important performance. More importantly, thank you to the brave men and women of the United States Air Force, Amy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy, for their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our country.