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Friday, November 29, 2013

Marching Band @ DG Gingerbread Festival & Tree Lighting

Thank you to the members of the Trojan Marching Band that performed today in the Downtown Downers Grove Gingerbread Festival and Tree Lighting ceremony. The band's performance brought smiles to many faces and helped ring in the holiday season with great fanfare.

A special thanks is extended to all of our student leaders who helped with the movement of equipment both to and from the performance tonight. Great job everyone!

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Bonfield Express Celebrates 10 Years


Over 6,200 runners and community members gathered in downtown Downers Grove this morning to participate in the 10th Annual Bonfield Express 5K.  This wonderful community event - named in honor of former District 99 teacher & coach James Bonfield - has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars in scholarship support for DGN and DGS graduates.


This morning's National Anthem was performed beautifully by a duet of DGN Choir students Elizabeth Brunell and Anna Burton.  Congratulations to both on their inspiring performance on a very cold Thanksgiving morning!


Tuesday, November 26, 2013

IMEC Preparation with Stacy Williams-Jackson

Last spring the DGN Jazz Ensemble was honored with an invitation to perform this coming January (2014) at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria.  Students continue their work in preparing music for that important performance, and tonight the band welcomed Lincoln-Way Central High School Music Department Chairperson, Orchestra and Jazz Director Stacy Williams-Jackson, as guest jazz mentor.  Ms. Williams-Jackson is the fourth of seven guest conductors who have agreed to serve as mentors to the band leading up to the January 23rd performance.  

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, it is not a stretch to say that the members of the band were very "thankful" for the opportunity to learn from Ms. Williams-Jackson, and to hear her input and suggestions for future musical growth and improvement.  Thank you, Ms. Williams-Jackson, for being with us at DGN!



 

 



 

 



 

 


Thankful for World Class Guest Artists

Today the DGN Fine Arts Department is pleased to welcome international
trumpet virtuoso Carlos Zabala (carlosmzabala.com), and professional
Chicago-based trombonist Catie Hickey, foe a series of master classes
with our band students.

Mr. Zabala, the first ever citizen of Uruguay to earn a Bachelors
Degree in Trumpet Performance, shared many inspiring stories about his
musical upbringing in South America, as well as his beautifully rich
and vibrant brass sound. It has been a distinct pleasure to have Mr.
Zabala and Ms. Hickey on campus today as guest artists.

Monday, November 25, 2013

The Other Guys

DGN Fine Arts was pleased to welcome "The Other Guys" vocal ensemble from the University of Illinois this morning!

Known for their impeccable musicality and unique brand of humor, The Other Guys are the University of Illinois' premiere men's a cappella group.  Since their inception during the 1968-69 school year, The Other Guys have evolved from an amusing diversion to a popular, high profile, international traveling group of goodwill ambassadors.  The Other Guys perform at over 100 different venues a year, as well as every Varsity Men's Glee Club concert.  




 

 


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Music Celebrated at District Festival







Congratulations to our District 99 honored musicians for their outstanding and inspiring performances this afternoon at the ILMEA District 1 Music Festival.

Appreciation and thanks are also extended to our District 99 Fine Arts Faculty, many of whom volunteer countless hours of service each year to the ILMEA. Faculty currently serving in ILMEA leadership roles include:

Bill Miller - District 1 Audition Recording Engineer

Jennifer Mullen - District 1 Orchestra Co-Chair

Beth O'Riordan - District 1 Choral Co-Chair

Craig Roselieb - State Vice-President, Jazz Division

Glenn Williams - District 1 Jazz Division Chair


ILMEA District Festival Underway

District 99 is represented in impressive fashion at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Music Festival. Through competitive auditions held last month, dozens of DGN and DGS student musicians earned the honor and distinction of performing with the All-District Band, Choir and Orchestra this weekend. Congratulations to all our Trojan and Mustang stand-outs!











Thursday, November 21, 2013

Fall Band Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to the members of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Lab Band for their wonderful performances this evening. Each ensemble performed challenging literature with a high degree of musicianship and poise.

We also extend thanks to all the families who assisted in the coordination of the post concert reception.

Well done DGN Bands and families!

The Stage Is Set ...

... for a wonderful evening of music at tonight's DGN Band Fall Concert. Join us at 7 PM for performances by the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Lab Band!

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

DGN Bands Invitational Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Wind Ensemble for their display of outstanding musicianship at this evening's Fall Band Concert.

A special thanks and congratulations is extended to the Jefferson Junior High Band and the Westview Hills Middle School Band for their performances tonight and participation in our annual "invitational." We look forward to welcoming many of these fine musicians to the ranks of the DGN Band in the years to come!

Monday, November 18, 2013

Two Band Concerts = Two Live Webcasts

The Fine Arts Department is pleased to present two DGN Band concerts this week.

The first, on Tuesday, November 19, will feature the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, as well as special guest performances by the Jefferson Junior High School Band and the Westview Hills Middle School Band.

The second, on Thursday, November 21, will feature the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Lab Band.

Both concerts will be webcast on High School Cube.  Family and friends who are unable to be with us in Downers Grove may view and listen to these concerts from remote locations using the following links:

Tuesday, November 19 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, November 21 - 7:00 PM


Saturday, November 16, 2013

Congratulations On A Great Season

Congratulations and Thank You to the Trojan Band who gave their all this afternoon in all facets of their performance at the Elite 8 Playoff matchup against Mt. Carmel High School.  Despite the rain, wind, and missing several fellow band members to the ILMEA Jazz Festival and DGN Snowball events, the band represented our school in their typical first-class fashion by playing and cheering with energy and enthusiasm.

A big thank you also to Mt. Carmel Band Director Bob Keeley.  It was an honor to have him conduct the Trojan Band during Pre-Game and to have the Mt. Carmel band at the game.

Finally, Congratulations to our Trojan Football Team for an exciting football season.  Thank you, as always, for your support of the band.  We look forward to another exciting and successful season next year.  (But first we're going to dry off a bit!)







DGN Jazzers @ ILMEA District Jazz Fest

DGN has an impressive thirteen student musicians performing today at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Jazz Festival where they are working with some of the most acclaimed jazz educators and performers in the United States. Congratulations to our DGN Jazzers for earning All-District Honors through competitive auditions last month. We wish you great success in tonight's concert, and applaud your ongoing commitments to jazz and the arts as a whole.

Wednesday, November 13, 2013

IMEC Preparation with Mark Bettcher

Last spring the DGN Jazz Ensemble was honored with an invitation to perform this coming January (2014) at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria.  Students continue their work in preparing music for that important performance, and tonight the band welcomed Chicago-area trombonist, Mark Bettcher, as a guest jazz mentor.  Mr. Bettcher, who is the Director of Jazz and Orchestras at Dundee-Crown High School, is the third of seven guest-conductors who have agreed to serve as mentors to the band leading up to the January 23rd performance.  

Every student in the ensemble benefitted tonight from Mr. Bettcher's musical guidance and attention to stylistic detail. Thank you, Mr. Bettcher, for making the long trek tonight to DGN, and inspiring us with your musicianship!



 

 



 

 


Sunday, November 10, 2013

Saturday, November 09, 2013

Big Day - and Night - for DGN




Friday was a big day - and night - for North High, beginning with the ABC-7 Fly-Over, and ending with a Trojan Football victory on the road to propel DGN into the "Elite Eight" of the IHSA State Football Playoffs.





Thank you to the membership of the Trojan Marching Band for their dedication to promoting school spirit through their involvement in both events. And a big thanks is also extended to our band parents ... many who got up extra early to shuttle their students to school, helped chaperone the road trip, or returned late to chauffeur students back home. North High appreciated your continued commitment to your child's involvement in the DGN Bands!





Friday, November 08, 2013

Video from ABC-7

ABC-7 Sends Thanks!

 My name is Doug Whitmire and I’m the Executive Producer of the morning news on ABC7. I wanted to take a moment to thank Mr. Kasik, the DGN staff and all of the DGN students who got up early this morning, braved the cold, and took part in our Friday Flyover. It looked great on t.v., and all of us are very impressed with the live movement the students did to change their formation live on the air. Great stuff!

Thanks again and we all look forward to working with you and your district in the future.

Have a great weekend and Go Trojans!


-Doug


Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Thank You A Cappella Choir and Wind Ensemble

Thank you to the musicians of the A Cappella Choir and Wind Ensemble for your marvelous work today in support of the Veteran's Day Assembly program.  Your musicianship, and your professionalism, were fabulous.
 
I was standing next to Dr. Sorensen at the end of the program when an 80-year old Veteran approached.  He commented that he has been to dozens of Veteran's Day programs at high schools and colleges all over the country, and that, "North High has defined 'the bar' that all other schools only hope they might achieve."  He was absolutely effusive in his complements about the entire ceremony, including your music.
 
I told the members of the Wind Ensemble today that I wished each of you could have had the experience of standing where I stood today during the program.  From my vantage point I could see directly into the eyes of many of our distinguished guests.  It was so evident in watching their reactions to the choral music, and the instrumental music, that they were deeply moved by your performances.
 
A special thank you to Megan Hung for her work accompanying the A Cappella Choir, and to Joe Pacheco and Tommy Donnelly for their performance of "Echo Taps." 
 
Well done all!
 
With appreciation,
 
B r a y e r   T e a g u e



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Fine Arts @ DGN Mission

North High School endeavors to provide an enriching, vibrant, multidisciplinary environment for the study, creation, and presentation of the Fine Arts.