Santa Wants A Tuba For Christmas (Video)

Holiday Wishes from DGN Fine Arts Faculty

Chamber Choir @ Hillcrest Elementary

Members of the North High Chamber Choir performed today at Hillcrest
Elementary School.

Images from the 2009 Holiday Mosaic Art Show

Congratulations to the Visual Art students who were honored and recognized this evening at the 2009 Holiday Mosaic Art Show Reception. The stunning artwork produced by DGN students will be on display in the Main St. Lobby through the end of this week.

Images from the 2009 Holiday Mosaic Concert

 Congratulations to all of the student musicians who performed in the 2009 Holiday Mosaic Concert!

DGN Alumnus Garners First Grammy Nomination

DGN Alumnus, and member of the DGN Choirs, Matthew West, received a GRAMMY nomination for "Best Gospel Song" of 2009.


“This is the icing on the cake to what has been an incredible year thanks to the song ‘The Motions.’ It’s been overwhelming how people have responded to the song and its message, and I am grateful for having been able to connect with listeners on that level. This is my first GRAMMY nomination, and for an artist/songwriter, there is no greater recognition,” said West.


Click here for the full story.


Congratulations Matthew!

Caroling, Caroling ...

The DGN Select Vocal Ensembles are out and about in the community this weekend, caroling for a variety of organizations and audiences.  This morning the Concert Singers brought holiday cheer to dozens of children and their parents at the Good Samaritan Hospital "Breakfast With Santa."

Mosaic Concert Preparations

Preparations are in full-gear for the 2009 Mosaic Concert, which will be held on Tuesday, December 8th.  This annual celebration of the holiday season will be offered twice: first at 5:30 PM, and finally at 8:00 PM.  The concert (and visual art show) are free events and open to the general public.  There are unconfirmed reports there will be a guest-appearance by a rather jolly man dressed in red.  You won't want to miss it!

Developing a Commission

Composer Don Owens was back on campus yesterday, working with three percussion soloists who will be featured in May of 2010 on a work commissioned by North High School.  The world-premiere of Triple Set for Wind Ensemble and Percussion Soloists is slated for May 20th at the annual 'Graduation Concert.'

Fourteen DGN Musicians Tapped for All-State Honors

Fourteen student musicians from Downers Grove North High School were selected by competitive audition to the 2009-2010 Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Secondary General Music Composition Contest. Performance auditions were held last October at Hinsdale Central High School; musical compositions were evaluated by professional musicians and composers from across the Midwest.

“We are really thrilled for these students and their families,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High.  “Many people helped these students achieve this success, beginning with their very first elementary school music teachers and extending to their private-lessons teachers today.  North High is very proud to have these incredible musicians representing District 99 at the All-State level.”

In total, 28 student musicians from District 99 were selected for this prestigious performance honor.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 27-30, 2010.  Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 29, and the afternoon of January 30, 2010.

All-State Band

Nick Goergen – Jazz Drums (Senior)

Marie Kirkegaard – Clarinet (Junior)

Jennifer Poad – Bass Clarinet (Senior)

Emma Sassano – Orchestral Percussion (Senior)

Isaac Stevenson – Orchestral Percussion (Junior)

Mike Walser – Alto Saxophone (Senior)

All-State Choir

Tom Cannan – Tenor (Senior)

Catie Krygeris – Alto (Senior)

Collin Ludlow – Bass (Junior)

Josh Smith – Tenor (Junior)

Caroline Sterr – Soprano (Junior)

All-State Orchestra

Colette Mondragon – Viola (Senior)

Rudy Rendek – Violin (Senior)

All-State Music Composition

Patrick Long – Commercial/Popular – 1^st Place & Keyboard Solo – 3^rd Place (Senior)