German Music Exchange - Sky Deck and Millennium Park

The weather finally cooperated today, and our friends from Germany enjoyed a terrific day of sights in Chicago. It's so hard to believe that this magical week is quickly coming to an end!

Jazz at the Movies

Congratulations to the Big Band from the Music School in Beitigheim-Bissingen, Germany, who wowed the throng gathered at the Tivoli for the "Jazz at the Movies" concert tonight.

Kudos as well are extended to the Mustang jazz musicians from DGS (the DGS Jazz Lab Band, led by Glenn Williams, and the DGS Jazz Ensemble, led by Craig Roselieb) for terrific performances this evening at the Tivoli.

Bietigheim-Bissingen Jugendblasorchester Concert

The musical and cultural exchange that exists between D99 and the BB Germany Music School is now more than a quarter century old. The foundations of this exchange are music, culture and relationships. To celebrate every aspect of this exchange, a concert was held last night in the North High School Johnson Auditorium, featuring the Bietigheim-Bissingen/Germany Music School ensemble JugenBlasOrchester. The North High Wind Ensemble and South High Wind Ensemble also performed on this celebratory event.

The concert opened with a fabulous pre-concert theatre organ recital and got better as the evening progressed. The North and South High Wind Ensembles performed challenging repertoire with poise and precision. The BB Germany Music School JBO then performed a diverse and challenging program, culminating with multiple standing ovations and encore selections. Congratulations to the student musicians from both continents for expanding their boundaries through the sharing of music, of culture, and of relationships.

Prior to the culminating piece of the concert, the faculty and chaperones from the BB Germany Music School and D99 exchanged gifts. This tradition is part of the fabric of nearly every exchange relationship that exists both in the USA and abroad, and we are proud to continue in this habit. Because the exchange is now more than 25 years old, relationships are continuing through generations.

Reimund Schiffer, director of the BB Music School Germany, extended an invitation to the D99 Honors Band to visit Germany in June of 2012, which Brayer Teague on behalf of the students and staff heartily accepted.

We are just hours away ...

... from tonight's big concert featuring the Jugendblasorchester from Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.

Join us at 7 pm in the North High Auditorium for a wonderful evening of music celebrating our 25 year exchange with the B.B. Musikschule.

USA vs Germany - Soccer Friendly

Tonight's soccer friendly between District 99 and the Musikschule of Bietigheim-Bissingen was a great evening of sportsmanship, friendship, and surprising results. In a stunning turn of global fortunes, the USA team quickly jumped out to a 3-0 lead before eventually winning 5-2.

Congratulations to all of the student participants, as well as all family members and supporters who came out to cheer.

Welcome to our friends from Germany!

Tonight District 99 welcomed students from Bietigheim-Bissingen as they arrived from Germany. 2011 marks the 25th Anniversary of the music exchange between District 99 and the Musikschule of Bietigheim-Bissingen.

Many thanks to our music families from DGN and DGS for opening their homes to the members of the German band.

Stevenson meets Schwantner

DGN Percussionist and Band senior Isaac Stevenson recently performed as a soloist with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra.  Isaac performed the percussion concerto by world-renown composer Joseph Schwantner, and had the opportunity to meet the composer recently when he was on the campus of Northwestern University.

Congratulations Isaac!

DGN Bands Welcome Guest Artist Mark Colby

Today North High School welcomed Mark Colby (www.markcolby.com / DePaul University / Elmhurst College) to work with the Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Combo, and present a clinic to all three concert band classes. It was an exciting day of musical sharing in preparation for tomorrow night's concert.
Many thanks is extended to our North High Music Boosters for supporting Mr. Colby's work with our students.
Please join us at 7 pm, Tuesday, April 12th, in the Johnson Auditorium for the "Sharing Is Caring" Jazz and Percussion Ensemble concert. Mark Colby will be featured with both the Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble.

National Adjudicator's Band Invitational Contest

Today North High School hosted the National Adjudicator's Band Invitational Contest. Bands from as far away as New York and Texas participated.

Congratulations ton the DGN Concert Band, under the direction of Mr. Miller, for opening today's contest with an exhibition performance. Following that performance band students were fortunate to work with internationally acclaimed composer Mark Camphouse.

Many thanks are extended to the DGN Music Boosters, and the students of the DGN Bands, for staffing today's contest with a terrific team of volunteers.

Kudos to District 99 Student Artists

Congratulations to the student artists from North and South High Schools in Downers Grove for the amazing visual success that is the 2011 District 99/Woodridge Public Library Show. The show opened this evening to a capacity crowd at the Woodridge Public Library. Congratulations to the staff from North and South High School for their efforts and work to produce this stunning exhibit. Special thanks to Susan McNeil-Marshall and the WPL staff, and, to Suzyn Mills from the Great Frame-Up Store in Woodridge for supporting the student artists of District 99.

2011 D99/WPL Art Show Opening

Tonight is the opening of the 3rd annual District 99/Woodridge Public Library Art Exhibit. This show features the student work of over 50 students in multiple media strands from North High School and South High School in Downers Grove. The show opens on Wednesday, April 6, 2011 at 6:00 PM with award winners in each category being announced shortly after 7 PM. Winners of Best-in-Show Awards then go on to participate in the national Creative Self-Expressions Show that is sponsored by The Great Frame Up stores all over the country. Suzyn Mills, owner of The Great Frame Up in Woodridge, has helped sponsor District 99 prizewinners for several years in this contest. The Woodridge Public Library is located at 3 Plaza Drive in Woodridge, IL. The exhibit is available for viewing during normal Library hours. For further information call the Adult/Young Adult Department Reference Desk at 630-487-2577 or email askus@woodridgelibrary.org.