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Friday, September 30, 2011

Homecoming 2011

It's an exciting day at DGN! Homecoming 2011 is in full swing.




The Trojan Marching Band was featured in multiple performances during this afternoon's assembly program.




Congrats to the Color Guard and Drum Line for their outstanding routines!









Six DGN Band members were nominated to the Homecoming Court this year, including (L to R) Senior King Candidate Stephen Shatzer, Senior Queen Candidate Anna Krainc, Junior Attendant Winner Jim Burke, and Junior Attendant Winner Amanda Nagy. (Not pictured are Senior King Candidate Brendan McBride and Sophomore Attendant Candidate Mandy Gibbons.)





"It was great to see so many community members out on the parade route this afternoon," said Band Director Bill Miller. "I love Homecoming and the chance to see former members of the band!"

Thursday, September 29, 2011

Superhero Thursday- Fighting Artistic Ignorance for the Good of Humankind!

Thanks to the DGN "Spirit Band" for providing entertainment as students and staff entered North High this morning.




The Fine Arts faculty is participating today in the "Superhero Dress Up" contest today, and is working diligently to stamp out "artistic ignorance" ... as well as the "Duke of York!"





Tuesday, September 27, 2011

"Super Show"

Congratulations to three Fine Arts Department ensembles for terrific performances at tonight's 2011 Homecoming Variety Show: the Jazz Lab Band (Spiderman), the Chamber Choir (Superman (It's Not That Easy)), and the Jazz Ensemble (Caught in the Web) .

A special shout out to the Jazz Lab Band for their extra work as the 'house band,' backing vocalist Amanda Coppotelli as she performed "Tears Dry On Their Own" by Amy Winehouse, as well as the JLB Rhythm Section and Mr. Miller for providing the amazing soundtrack to "Get Back To Hogwarts." Great job Jazz Lab Band!!!













Homecoming Variety Show Tonight!








Tonights superhero themed Homecoming Variety Show, directed by Mr. Bill Miller, will feature many incredible acts, including performances of "Spider Man" by the Jazz Lab Band and "Caught In The Web" by the Jazz Ensemble.Come on out for a fun-filled evening of entertainment featuring dozens of talented DGN students. The show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased at the door.

Monday, September 26, 2011

We Love Our Team




Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band for a great performance at DGS last Friday night. The DGN Band played from the stands with spirit and energy through to the end.

Now ... on to Homecoming and a victory over the Dukes of York!

Smarts in the Arts




Five students at North High School in Downers Grove - all active in the Fine Arts - have been designated as semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students are selected based on test scores, an essay, their schools’ curricula and school official recommendations, as well as involvement in activities and leadership.

The DGN Fine Arts faculty and staff wish to congratulate:

· Kayla Chapa (Photography)
· Emily Temple-Wood (Band)
· Andrea Vetrone (Band)
· Kelsey White (Choir & Orchestra)
· Hannah Young (Orchestra, Band & Choir)

“These students are a source of pride for all of us in the community, and we congratulate them on their achievements and recognition in this prestigious program,” says Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald.

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, please visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Carl Sandburg Marching Band Invitational




Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band for an outstanding performance this evening at the Carl Sandburg Marching Band Invitational. DGN was "first class" in every imaginable way, including a very fine musical presentation that garnered two Division I "Excellent" ratings from a distinguished panel of music educators.



The Eastern Illinois University Panther Marching Band performed their traditional pre game show, and an exciting "half time" show, in exhibition. Two DGN Marching Band Alumni (trumpet soloist Jay Kelliher & baritone Elizabeth Grubart) performed tonight with the EIU Band. Congratulations to both!




Friday, September 23, 2011

Drum Major Gift Exchange









Cross Town Classic 2011




The annual Cross Town Classic football game took place this evening. While the football teams from North and South High Schools in Downers Grove squared off against each other on the field, the student musicians joined forces in multiple ways throughout the course of the evening.


Conducted by North High Band director and South High alum Bill Miller, the combined marching bands and choirs from both North and South joined forces to perform a stunning National Anthem prior to the game. In addition to sharing the field for the pre-game festivities, the bands performed a combined dance team number, featuring the Athenas from DGN and the Fillies from DGS. We are proud of every student musician that joined in the collaborative efforts to help celebrate just how much music is a part of the schools and the community here in Downers Grove.

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

3 Notes of Note


Congratulations to all the fine musicians of the Trojan Marching Band for making a strong impression this early in the season.  Well done!


From an LT Football Parent:

I have a nephew on the LT Varsity football team, and I attend all of his games.  I would just like to comment that it was truly a pleasure to play your team last night at your field.  Your entire organization showed exemplary class and sportsmanship that I feel is sorely lacking at most other schools.  I also felt that it was very nice of your band to play the LT theme song to welcome the opposing team.  You should be proud of the way that Downers Grove North presents itself to other schools.  Your team played well, the PA system is fantastic, the field exemplary, the band excellent, and the overall experience was a pleasure.  I don't normally take the time to write letters such as this except in cases where I feel it's well deserved.  Kudos to a true class act at Downers North!!
From an LT Band Parent:

I just wanted to tell you how impressed I was with the DGN marching band!  As you know I am an LT band parent and I couldn't get over how exuberant DG band students were!  Their routine on the field was excellent as well.  Even after half-time, when most bands start goofing around, the DG band continued with super energy, great pump-up tunes and even choreography!  The most impressive thing is that they learned our school song and played it at the end of the game...real class act.

From a DG community member:

We were at the first game and enjoyed the band and all of the auxiliaries.  The band had the best balance and most mature sound I have heard in years.  The flags were a wonderful in time and a great compliment to the band.  The percussion was very creative pulling the band together no matter how spread out the band was on the field.  The enthusiasm was contagious to everyone in the stands.  You and Bill are bringing out the best in music and spirit.  Thanks for the hard work.  We have lived in Downers for over 40 years and this years is making the highest mark yet in the history of DGN.  Keep the music going.



Friday, September 16, 2011

Trojan Band Welcomes "The Future"

This evening the 190 member Trojan Marching Band welcomed nearly 200
middle school and junior high student musicians to perform at half
time. The standing room only crowd gave all the musicians a huge
ovation in appreciation of a job well done.

Thank you to Herrick, Jefferson, and Westview Hills for being with us tonight!

Thursday, September 15, 2011

Barrage to Perform in Downers Grove!


On October 6, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School in Downers Grove, the District 99 Orchestra will be collaborating with the internationally-acclaimed ensemble, Barrage http://barrage.org/ . Barrage is a high-octane fiddle-fest that features an international, multi-talented cast performing an eclectic mix of music, song and dance. The cast of Barrage features: six violinists/vocalists, one drummer, one bass player and a guitarist. Barrage performances offer up a diverse fusion of cultures, musical styles and incredible performance vitality. The music of Barrage continues to evolve - combing contemporary world music influences, layered vocal arrangements and pulsating modern beats and rhythms. The cast delivers the show with amazing energy and musical virtuosity that will take your breath away.

Tickets are $15 and can be purchased in the Fine Arts Office at either North or South. Get your tickets today - you won't want to miss this incredible concert. 

Friday, September 02, 2011

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.