Happy Holidays!

All Access at Villas St. Benedict

All Access had the opportunity to perform today at the Villas St. Benedict in Lisle.  Congratulations to all of our members on a truly wonderful and moving performance!

Mosaic 'People's Choice' Winner

Guests attending the Mosaic Art Show Reception, and North High Fine Arts students, were asked to cast a vote for the piece that was their personal favorite.

The 2012 Mosaic Art Show People’s Choice winner is Jewel Davis, for her ceramic sculpture “Calvin.”

Mosaic Video on CNN Website

An excerpt of the 2012 Holiday Mosaic Concert is being featured this morning on the CNN website.  Click here for a direct link.

CNN is sponsoring a virtual Holiday Sing Along, and each Friday morning, until Christmas, will feature several submitted videos on their Morning Express program.

Soulful Hallelujah - 2012 Mosaic Concert

Mosaic Art Show Category Winners

Congratulations to the following DGN Visual Art students who earned First Place recognition in various media categories at the 2012 Mosaic Art Show:

Ceramics: Amanda Irigoyen – “Kirahavi

Photography:  Virginia Kowara  -- “Swing”

Drawing: Kelly Mallon – “Flower Skull”

Design Mixed Media: Katherine Kucko – “Glass Flower on Brass with Light”

Painting: Gabriele Noreikaite – “Web of the Abyss”

Computer Art: Kevin Brinkman – “Why Now?”

Jewelry: Lauren Dawson – “Circles”

Images from the 2012 DGN Holiday Mosaic Art Show

Congratulations to all of the DGN Visual Art students with work in exhibition at the 2012 DGN Holiday Mosaic Art Show.  The depth and breadth of the work on display this year is breathtaking!

Eight DGN Musicians Garner All-State Honors

Eight student musicians from Downers Grove North High School earned nine All-State Honors in the 2012-2013 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Composer Showcase, and ‘Future Music Educators Symposium’. Performance auditions were held last October at Carl Sandburg High School; musical compositions were evaluated by professional musicians and composers from across the country.

“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.”

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 23-26, 2013.  Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 25, and the afternoon of January 26, 2013. Composers will be honored at an awards ceremony on the morning of January 26, 2013. 

All-State Choir

Patrick Murray - Tenor I (Senior)

All-State Orchestra

Katie Krainc – Violin 2 (Senior)

Rachel Pfeifer – Cello (Sophomore)

Katie Portman – Violin 2 (Junior)

All-State Jazz Band

Brett Latman – Trumpet (Senior)

Spencer Schillerstrom – Tenor Sax (Junior)

All-State Music Composition

Spencer Schillerstrom – Jazz Improvisation: 3^rd place (Junior)

Kaitlin Shannon – Commercial/Popular: 2^nd Place (Junior)

Future Music Educators Symposium

Erin Elgass (Senior)

Mosaic Assemblies

Congratulations to the 300+ student musicians who collectively captivated the North High student body this morning with two more fabulous performances!

Images from the 2012 DGN Holiday Mosaic Concert

Congratulations to all of the musicians of the DGN Band, DGN Choir, and the D99 Orchestra, for fabulous performances at tonight's Mosaic Concerts!

Direct link to photo archive.

Mosaic Concert on CD

North High is pleased to welcome back recording engineer Mr. Kenneth Abeling, and Lincoln Music Productions. Tonight's concert will be digitally recorded from multiple microphones positioned throughout the auditorium.

CDs are $16. Order forms will be included in the printed Mosaic program, and are due to the Fine Arts Office by Monday, December 17th.

Ho Ho Holiday Mosaic Concert … less than 24 hours away!

The 2012 Holiday Mosaic Concert is less than 24 hours away, and final preparations are underway to create an engaging evening of music that is sure to connect you with the holiday spirit!

Please join us in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium Tuesday night, for either the 5:30 PM or 8:00 PM performance.  Seating is open; doors open 30 minutes prior to the start of each concert.  



 
 

Holiday Mosaic Tech

We are in full-on Mosaic Tech preparations today. Students are eagerly anticipating the opportunity to perform for upwards of 5,000 audience members this week.

Mosaic Art Show - Invitation

Please join us for the 2012 North High School Holiday Mosaic Art Show.  The show runs this week (Monday-Friday) with a special reception and awards presentation on Wednesday, December 12th at 6:00 PM.  Hundreds of student works in a variety of 2D and 3D media will be on exhibition in the Main Street Lobby.  Students, faculty, staff, and the public are invited to attend this free exhibition.  




 
 

Musical Gifts

Members of the DGN Chamber Choir performed today at the Parent's Club Holiday Tea. Thanks to all of the choir members who performed for sharing their musical gifts.

The microphones were hung in the auditorium with care ...

... in hopes that Mosaic would soon be there.

Treble Choir Office Caroling Drive-By

Mr. Teague was working at his computer this morning when he was pleasantly surprised to turn around find members of the DGN Treble Choir caroling outside his office door.  What a great way to get in the spirit of the season!

YouTube Direct Link

Landfill Harmonic

A powerful reminder that every child can benefit from exposure to the arts, and that how we treat our planet matters.

Mosaic 2012 - Tuesday, December 11th

Please join us for the 2012 Holiday Mosaic Concert on Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at 5:30 or 8:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School in Downers Grove.  

Featured ensembles are the combined choirs of North High School, the District 99 Orchestra, the DGN Jazz Ensemble, Flute Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, Tuba/Euphonium Ensemble and the North High Wind Ensemble.  Come and enjoy many seasonal favorites, including the Hallelujah! from Handel's The Messiah and the 1992 Grammy award winning Soulful Hallelujah!  

The public is cordially invited to attend either of these free performances.  

DGN Jazz Combo @ LaGrange Christmas Walk

Congratulations to this DGN Jazz Combo, invited to perform this past weekend at the LaGrange Christmas Walk.

DGN All State Musicians Named

Congratulations to the following students who have earned All-State Honors in music!

All State Choir
Patrick Murray (12)

All State Orchestra
Katie Krainc (12)
Rachel Pfeifer (10)
Katie Portman (12)

All State Jazz Band
Brett Latman (12)
Spencer Schillerstrom (11)

All State Future Music Educator
Erin Elgass (12)

All State Music Composition
- Results not announced yet.  We hope to hear next week.

DGN Jazz Ensemble @ Mullen's

Congratulations to the DGN Jazz Ensemble on an outstanding performance this evening at Mullen's in Lisle, IL. The band played an exciting set with precision and musical depth. If tonight's performance - and the crowd reaction - are any indication, 2012-13 is going to be filled with many great jazz performances.

D99 Orchestra Preps for Holiday Concerts

DGN & DGS instrumentalists in the District 99 Orchestra are hard at work this morning preparing for the 2012 Holiday Mosaic (North High - December 11) and 2012 Holiday Concert (South High - December 13).

Reasons I’m Thankful to work with the DGN Band

Having the opportunity to be a part of the DGN Band’s performance yesterday, on Thanksgiving, caused me to take stock in a number of things I’m particularly ‘thankful’ for.  They include …

The opportunity to work with an amazing group of young adults who pour their hearts and souls into their music.

The opportunity to lead students who care about their school, and perpetuating the school’s reputation for excellence.

The opportunity to teach in a community that is filled with incredibly supportive parents and guardians, many of who dedicate countless volunteer hours to assist our Fine Arts programs at North High.

A Board of Education (District 99) and Administration (D99 and DGN) that value the importance of expanding the boundaries of a traditional classroom, and support Educational Travel for our student musicians.

The opportunity to collaborate with a tremendously dedicated chaperone team, all who were willing to give up time with their families on an important holiday – in order to support the students of the DGN Band.  And a special shout-out to Mr. Miller, who served as the lead-planner for this particular tour.

The spouses, children, parents and other family members of our chaperones, who supported this tour and the invitation for our Band to perform in the 2012 Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Parade of Bands, even though it meant time away from home and family. 

Parents, you should be incredibly proud of your children.  Not only have they been tremendous music ambassadors for our community, they have been polite, considerate, and well-mannered throughout the course of our tour thus far.  Even when through the most exhausting phase of the performance tour, it has been amazing to see the work ethic, responsibility and spirit that are synonymous with ‘DGN Bands.’   

- Brayer Teague

Thanksgiving Dinner with Mickey Mouse

Congratulations DGN Band!

Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band on an absolutely incredible performance this afternoon at the Disney World Thanksgiving Parade of Bands.

The entire DGN community can and should be proud of the band for their tremendous musicianship and performance as Honorary Cast Members.

Early Thanksgiving Morning Rehearsal @ Disney

While many are sleeping in this morning, the members of the Trojan Marching Band have been hard at work since 3:45 am, preparing for the Walt Disney World Thanksgiving Parade of Bands.




The band is about to finish their rehearsal in Hollywood Studios with the internationally acclaimed Boston Brass. Breakfast comes next, followed by a couple of hours for the band members to enjoy the park before this afternoon's performance in front of an audience that is predicted to be in the tens of thousands.

DGN Marching Band Prepares for Thanksgiving Day Performance in Orlando

After checking into the beautiful Rosen Center Hotel, DGN students and staff met members of the other participating bands for dinner.




Thanksgiving Eve was spent in a rigorous rehearsal preparing for tomorrow's big performance.

Muriel Anderson @ DGN

Internationally acclaimed guitarist, musician and composer Muriel Anderson spent time at North High School this morning, giving a recital/master class. Ms. Anderson provided insight into developed guitar performance techniques, and, discussed with the students her career pathway as a performer.
Ms. Anderson will appear on Saturday, November 24, 2012 at 8 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School for her annual homecoming concert in Downers Grove. Tickets are available at the door for this concert. In addition to the amazing home made treats during intermission, harmonica player Howard Levy will appear as a guest artist. Ms. Anderson will also lead a guitar workshop on Sunday, November 25th at 2:00 PM at the Two Way Street Coffee House in Downers Grove.
Special thanks to Ms. Anderson for sharing her passion and performance with the students at DGN today!

ABC-7 Feature - Monday, November 19, 2012

Thanks for your votes - DGN video wins!

The faculty, staff and students of the DGN Fine Arts Department wish to thank everyone who helped the DGN Fine Arts 'viral video' win the ABC-7 Morning Show School Spirit Contest!  The video jumped into first place on Friday morning, and never looked back, picking up over 3,600 votes by the time the polls closed on Sunday night.

Tune in to ABC-7 Chicago (WLS) Monday morning, between 6:50 and 6:55 am, as ABC will feature our video and turn the spotlight on the amazing students of DGN!

Thanks again, and Go Trojans!

Images from IMEA 2012

Trojan Musicians @ IMEA District 1 Music Festival

44 DGN student musicians are on the campus of West Leyden High School
today for the IMEA District 1 Music Festival.

Congratulations to our amazing students for representing DGN with
poise and class, and for earning this regional honor.