DGN Artists Celebrated at Carnegie Hall!

Congratulations to DGN Visual Artists Haley Phillips and Aiden Robinson who were honored this week in a ceremony at New York's famed Carnegie Hall. Both students won National Gold Medals by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.

Aiden Robinson was additionally recognized with the National American Vision Award in the Jewelry and Metal Work category. 

Entries are selected for awards without knowledge of the student’s gender, age, ethnicity, or hometown by some of the foremost leaders in the visual and literary arts. Many Scholastic Awards alumni have lent their expertise as jurors, including Michael Bierut, Philip Pearlstein, Edward Sorel, Red Grooms, and Gary Panter. Other luminaries who have served as judges include Langston Hughes, Robert Frost, Judy Blume, Billy Collins, Paul Giamatti, Francine Prose, Edwidge Danticat, David Sedaris, Lesley Stahl, Nikki Giovanni, Roz Chast, Wangechi Mutu, Andres Serrano, Kiki Smith, Jill Kraus, Shinique Smith, Rashid Johnson, and Waris Ahluwalia. Jurors look for works that exemplify the Awards’ core values: originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.

We salute both Haley and Aiden for the exceptional national achievements, as well as their Visual Art mentors and DGN Fine Arts faculty, Ms. Amy Bernard and Ms. Robyn Bican.

Join our Team!

Job Opening! 

Ms. Diana Heppner, our current DGN Fine Arts Department Assistant, has an exciting new professional opportunity on her horizon. That means we are looking for a new team-member to join DGN Fine Arts! 

We seek someone who is organized, creative, detail-oriented, and energized by other creative people (faculty and students)! Applicants should have working knowledge of Microsoft Office Software package and/or Google Office apps. Knowledge of Microsoft Publisher (or similar) to develop concert programs, flyers, posters, etc. is preferred. Candidate will be responsible for general accounting practices, and managing purchase orders. Must be a team player, capable of working with a diverse group of students, staff, parents, guardians and outside stakeholders.  Well-developed interpersonal and organizational skills are required. The ability to multi-task and prioritize tasks is important. 

Applications are now being accepted. We plan to screen candidates in early July. Thank you for helping spread the word, and sharing this link with anyone who might be interested!

Questions: please contact Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson, via email.

Follow this link for additional information, and to start your application: 

tinyurl.com/DGNFineArtsAdminAssistant

DGN Alumni Band 2022 - Registration Now Open!

Registration for the DGN Alumni Band performance at Homecoming 2022 is now open!

Dust off your instrument and join us for a memorable evening of music and fellowship!! 

This year's DGN Alumni Band performance at Homecoming will take place on Friday, September 23, 2022. 

REGISTRATION DEADLINE is Friday, September 9. NOTE: To be guaranteed a new t-shirt or sweatshirt, you must register by Friday, September 1.

The schedule for the evening, preliminary details, and official REGISTRATION may be found at the following link:

tinyurl.com/DGNAlumniBandRegistration2022

Check back on this website in early August for scans of music, and further updates!

DGN Visual Artists Win Congressional Art Exhibition Honors

Ella Leathers (Class of 2025) - 1st Place

Congratulations to DGN Visual Art students Ella Leathers and Sarisa Chulanon for their recognition in the U.S. House of Representatives Congressional Art Exhibition.

Each spring, a nation-wide high school arts competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives.  The Artistic Discovery Contest is an opportunity to recognize and encourage the artistic talent in the nation, as well as in our congressional districts.  The Congressional Art Competition began in 1982 to provide an opportunity for members of Congress to encourage and recognize the artistic talents of their young constituents.  Since then, over 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Ella Leathers (Class of 2025) earned 1st place in Sean Casten’s Congressional District (Illinois 6th). Her work will be framed and displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol. The exhibit in Washington will also include artwork from other contest winners nationwide. She is awarded two airline tickets to the awards ceremony this summer in Washington, D.C.

Sarisa Chulanon (Class of 2023) won 2nd place, also in Sean Casten’s Congressional District (Illinois 6th). Her framed work will be exhibited in Congressman Casten’s office.

Sarisa Chulanon (Class of 2023) - 2nd Place

DGN Fine Arts Salutes the Class of 2022!

The DGN Fine Arts Department extends a heartfelt congratulations and bids a fond farewell to the North High School Class of 2022. Specifically, we acknowledge the artists in Music, Theatre and Visual Art who elevated our standards throughout their academic journey and will leave behind a legacy of high achievement and artistic excellence. We wish you each great success in your future endeavors, and encourage you to return to your Alma Mater and visit frequently! 

DGN Musicians at the Jazz Showcase with YJED

Congratulations to DGN Band members John Fioti (bass trombone) and Adam Pearson (trombone) for their recent performance with the Youth Jazz Ensemble of DuPage at Chicago's famed "Jazz Showcase." The band opened for The Bob Lark Big Band on May 18, 2022.

D99 Jazz Camp: July 18-22

DGN Fine Arts and DGS Fine Arts is pleased to announce that the first ever District 99 Summer Jazz Camp, July 18-22 2022.

Held on the South High School campus, the District 99 Jazz Camp will be a comprehensive four-day experience that provides students of all levels a rewarding and rigorous study of all aspects of jazz music including listening, improvising, dancing, and performing. 

The combination of workshops, personalized instruction, student performances, faculty clinics, jam sessions, and time spent with old and new friends will make for an inspiring and memorable week. The event will conclude with student performances at the Fishel Band Shell in Downtown Downers Grove on Friday, July 22nd at 7:00pm featuring world class saxophonist, Lenard Simpson!!

Faculty will continue to be added based on enrollment, but currently includes Jerry Lowrey, South High Jazz Ensemble director, Paul Levy, co-founder of the renowned shedthemusic.com, and clinicians including Ron Carter.  More special guest information to come!

Enrollment is open to all incoming District 99 students from 9th-12th grades with any interest in Jazz music. Fees will include a camp T-shirt, lunch on the last day of camp, snacks and refreshments, sheet music, and teaching tools. 

Those interested in registering must do so through District 99 by following this LINK. Registration is open from 5/18-6/23.

Congratulations Chamber Choir!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Chamber Choir, for a terrific performance at the 2022 Chamber Choir Farewell Concert, held Monday, May 16, 2022 in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High. 

Special kudos are extended to the musicians from the Class of 2022 performing in their final concert at North High School.

DGN Chamber Choir Farewell Concert - Tonight!

DGN Fine Arts presents the annual Chamber Choir Farewell Concert tonight, Monday, May 16, at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School. 

Out-of-town family and friends may view the concert live-streamed HERE, or by visiting: www.youtube.com/DGNFineArts. A copy of the concert program may be found HERE.

D99 Orchestras Spring Concert Congratulations!

Congratulations to the members of the D99 Concert Orchestra, and D99 Symphonic Orchestra for a wonderful performance at the Spring Orchestra Concert, held on May 12, 2022 in the Performing Arts Center of South High. 

A special commendation is extended to senior soloists Leka Davis (cello) and Philip Okunev (violin) for their outstanding concerto performances! 

Melissa Parkinson Named Outstanding Senior in Music (2022)

The Class of 2022 Outstanding Senior in Music, is Melissa Parkinson.  

Melissa Parkinson has been an active and successful student in many areas of DGN Music Department, including AP Music Theory, Honors Symphonic Orchestra, Musical Pit Orchestra, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, Wind Ensemble, the Trojan Pep Band, and the Trojan Marching Band. She has been accepted into ILMEA District Orchestra and Jazz Ensembles, named to the ILMEA All-State Orchestra in her Sophomore and Junior years, and was accepted into the ILMEA Honors Orchestra her Senior year. Additionally, she was invited to perform with the Illinois High School Theater Fest All-State Musical “Cabaret."

Melissa has been a very active musician in our community as well, performing with ensembles such as the Naperville Youth Symphony Orchestras and Chamber Ensembles, multiple musical pit orchestras, and has attended many summer music programs. In addition to her active performance schedule, Melissa has also made time to give back to her community by serving on our Tri-M Chapter Executive Board, the Orchestra Executive Council, and participating in our Study Buddy Program with District 58.

Melissa will attend Washington University in St. Louis where she plans to double major in Environmental Science and Music Performance.

Congratulations Melissa!

Gavin McCool Named Outstanding Senior in Theatre (2022)

The Class of 2022 Outstanding Senior in Theatre, is Gavin McCool.  

Gavin McCool is described by the faculty as the most well-rounded artist to apply his talents to theatre design this school has seen in quite some time.  In addition to his course work in Theatre Design & Craft and Advanced Theatre Design, Gavin augmented his art skills with numerous visual art courses culminating in his AP Art Portfolio during his senior year.  Gavin’s artistic talents wowed us on paper, and his designs and incredible building skills have offered our community a chance to see his work onstage.  His designs and indeed his supervision of the build process for Revenge of the Space Pandas brought us into a fantastical outer-space wonderland that truly was a feast for the eyes and a playground for the actors.  

Gavin never backed down from creative challenges, and he also wore many hats in the co-curricular program including light crew, costumer, and even director of his own one-act play in the fall entitled Funeral Parlor. Perhaps most appreciated by the directors and designers in the co-curricular theatre program, Gavin was fearless in his approach.  His creativity and fierce diligence are what made his incredible designs become stunning realities.

Gavin will attend the University of Illinois in Urbana where he will major in Theatre Design.

Congratulations Gavin!

Claire Meyers Named Outstanding Senior in Visual Art (2022)

The Class of 2022 Outstanding Senior in Visual Art, is Claire Meyers.  

Claire is a dedicated artist who works in both 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional media. Since her freshman year, Claire has dedicated her time to creating award-winning art. Her curiosity for anatomy and self-expression can be seen in many of her drawings, collages, jewelry, and metalwork pieces.  

Claire has the competence to develop ideas that captivate others and the persistence to keep going.  Advanced Placement Art History has deepened her understanding of and how her art can connect us to the world.   Claire is exceptionally disciplined, patient, and can persevere; turning her most difficult works of art into masterpieces. She has been recognized nationally for Scholastic Art achievement and has received several scholarships from art institutions around the country. Claire has completed three AP Visual Arts courses this year alone, showing her determination to learn.  

Claire’s future will be bright as she plans to attend Illinois State University in the fall to study Art Education.  

Congratulations Claire!

Congratulations Class of 2022 Fine Arts Award Winners!

Congratulations Concert Band & Symphonic Band!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band and DGN Symphonic Band, for a wonderful performance at the 2022 DGN Spring Band Concert, held Tuesday, May 10, 2022 in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High. 

Special kudos are extended to the musicians from the Class of 2022 performing in their final concert at North High School.

DGN's Spring Band Concert - Tuesday Night

DGN Fine Arts presents the annual Spring Band Concert on Tuesday, May 10, at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School. This concert will feature the Concert Band and Symphonic Band.

Out-of-town family and friends may view the concert live-streamed HERE, or by visiting: www.youtube.com/DGNFineArts.