Home Sweet Home

The DGN Choirs enjoyed their last morning in NYC by participating in an "Up Close and Personal" workshop.  In this session, they had the opportunity to sit down and talk with two performers, Ian and Holli, about their experiences performing on Broadway.  (They got to see Ian and Holli perform in Sunday's performance of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying!)

The choir returned home Monday evening after a successful and educational trip!

Sophomore students visiting with two performers from How to Succeed

Another Great Day in NYC

In addition to tours of Carnegie Hall & NBC Studios, the DGN Choirs had the opportunity to see another wonderful Broadway show, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and topped off the day with the viewing NYC from the "Top of the Rock!"

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Our view from the Top of the Rock!

Tour Update: Visiting the National September 11th Memorial & A Multi-Ethnic Eating Tour

The choirs had the opportunity to visit the newly-opened September 11th Memorial.

Eating halvah - a traditional middle eastern sweet during our ethnic food tour :)

A Trip to Lady Liberty

The NYC Touring Choir began their morning with a trip to Ellis Island.  Though the ferry ride was windy, the experience was fantastic!

Juniors Cora Webster & Lanie Maresh at the Ellis Island Immigration Museum

Singing & Sight-Seeing

The DGN Choirs continued their NYC Tour with a concert at St. John the Divine Cathedral - the largest cathedral in the world - followed by a walk through Central Park.  They completed the evening with a trip to John's Pizzeria for some NY style pizza, and a Broadway show - The Lion King. 

Sophomores Elizabeth Brunell & Anna Burton, after an amazing performance at the cathedral.

At Central Park

NYC Choir Tour - Friday

The Choir Tour is off to a great start - a beautiful sunrise this morning, followed by a wonderful clinic with Dr. Craig Arnold.

Sunrise view from the hotel.

A view from the bus.

Junior Lanie Maresh with Dr. Craig Arnold following the choir clinic.

Cannonball Combo @ Caribou

Bon Voyage!

The Fine Arts Department extends their best wishes for a safe and enjoyable trip to NYC!  Members of the DGN Choir Program set off this afternoon for their five day tour of the Big Apple.  Students will have the opportunity to work with outstanding clinicians, get to see a Broadway show, and of course get to see the sights of New York City!

Hannah Young to be featured on WFMT

Hannah Young

The Fine Arts Department congratulates senior harpist, Hannah Young, who will be featured on WFMT Radio's Introductions program this weekend.  Introductions features the Chicago-area's most talented pre-college musicians every week.  Soloists perform live in WFMT's Levin Performance Studio.


Tune in on Saturday, March 24, at 11:00 am to hear DGN's very own Hannah Young.  Hannah performs at North High with the Symphonic Orchestra, Wind Ensemble, Symphonic Band Percussion Ensemble, A Cappella Choir, All Access Choir and Marching Band.  She also serves as the principal harp of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, and was recently named a National Merit Scholar Finalist.


If you are unable to listen on Saturday, the show will be re-broadcast the following Thursday (March 29) at 10:00 pm, and will be available online here.

Faisal Khurshid - Green Thunder Percussion

The Fine Arts Department congratulates senior Faisal Khurshid (snare drum) on his participation in the competitive 'winter drum line' - Green Thunder Percussion.  This year's GTP show "The Grid" is based on the movie TRON.


GTP, the Independent Open Class percussion ensemble presented by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, brings "The Grid" to life in 2012 for its fifth competitive season.  "This is by far the most talented group of performers we've had in our five years," said Manger and Visual Coordinator Paul Wiercioch.  Green Thunder recently placed second in Independent Open Class at the WGI Indianapolis Percussion Regional with a score of 81.55. 


The embedded video is of GTP's performance at the WGI Prelims in Kentucky this past weekend.


Congratulations Faisal!

DGN Visual Artists Garner National Awards

North High extends congratulations to two visual artists who were recently notified they have received national recognition from the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  

Katie Berendt received a Silver Medal in Photography.  Leighanne Crawford received a Silver Medal in Design.

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards began in 1923, and are today esteemed as the nation’s largest and most prestigious recognition program for teenage artists and writers. This year, more than 200,000 works of art and writing were submitted by students in grades 7 – 12 to the Regional adjudication.  Approximately 13,000 works received Gold  Key awards at the Regional level, in addition to Silver Key and Honorable Mention winners.

The Gold Key works moved on to the National adjudication. The top 11% , approximately 1500 pieces out of 13,000, received national medals.

Seniors Shine With Stand-Out Concerto Performances

Congratulations to seniors Stephen Shatzer (Bassoon) and Andrea Vetrone (French Horn) for terrific concerto performances on Thursday night at our March Band Concert. Both musicians played with great passion and musical artistry. We are proud of your accomplishments!

Another DGN Jazz Combo 'Out & About' In Town

Tonight DGN's "Miles Davis" Jazz Combo played for the Maercker Band Spaghetti Dinner & Fundraiser. Congrats to these dedicated musicians on their performance, and thanks to all for supporting this worthy event.

Wind Ensemble Wows 1,100 Elementary School Children

Congratulations to all of the DGN student musicians who performed in this afternoon's 8th Annual "Community Outreach Concert." Today's concert forged connections between the arts and children's literature.

Well done one and all!

March Band Concert

Congratulations to the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble, for a terrific March Concert!  Each ensemble performed with incredible musicianship this evening.



 
 


 
 


 
 


 
 

2012 North HS Scholastics Gold Key Winners

North High School Fine Arts congratulates the 2012 Scholastics Gold Key Award winners:


Gold Key Awards

Barbara Armstrong (Painting)

Katie Berendt (Photography) – 2 Gold Keys

Katie Berendt    (Digital Art)

Lindsey Bliss (Ceramics & Glass) – 2 Gold Keys

Kevin Brinkman (Mixed Media)

Lauren Capua (Photography)

Leighanne Crawford (Design) – 3 Gold Keys

Leighanne Crawford (Digital Art) – 2 Gold Keys

Meghan Downey (Photography)

Amy Fatigato (Photography)

Leo Granner (Digital Art)

Siga Kisielius (Ceramics & Glass)

Karen    Klein (Digital Art)

Jordan  Krzak (Ceramics & Glass)

Shannon Linares (Ceramics & Glass)

Daniel Meinhart (Drawing)

Daniel Meinhart (Digital Art)

Autumn Moberg (Jewelry)

Autumn Moberg (Sculpture)

Autumn Moberg (Fashion)

Kyle Mysiewicz (Ceramics & Glass)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Drawing) – 2 Gold Keys

Gabby   Sims (Ceramics & Glass)

Miranda Valles (Ceramics & Glass)

Guest Conductor in Residence: Dr. Peter Griffin

North High is pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Griffin to campus for a two day residency in the Fine Arts Department. Dr. Griffin, who serves as the Department Chair of Music at Elmhurst College, will serve as a guest conductor on tomorrow night's March Band Concert.

Join us in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at 7 pm, March 15th, to hear the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble in what promises to be a fantastic evening of music!

Start Spreading the Word...

Members of the North High Choirs depart for their New York City Tour a week from Thursday!  The choir rehearsed this afternoon in preparation for their upcoming clinic with well-known choral conductor Craig Arnold and their performance at St. John the Divine Cathedral.

D99 Orchestra Contemporary Music Concert

Congratulations to the District 99 Orchestra, conducted by Jennifer Mullen, for a fabulous concert this evening featuring the contemporary music of award winning composer Michael Schelle. 

Both the Concert Orchestra and the Symphonic Orchestra performed Shelle's compositions, one of which featured guest piano artist Miho Sasaki. Performers and audience members alike walked away abuzz from the performance tonight, fully enriched by experiencing contemporary orchestral music performed with a high degree of excellence. 

Congratulations and kudos to Ms. Mullen and the members of the D99 Orchestra for presenting a fabulous performance this evening.  A special thank you to Mr. Schelle, and Ms. Sasaki, for sharing their talents with the District 99 community.  

Aura Evans displays her original art work that was the cover of the concert program, and, a gift for the guest artists for the evening.

2012 District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

More than 75 students from North and South gathered together on the evening of March 6, 2012. When the opening bell sounded, there was no athletic competition to be found. Instead, when the opening tone resonated, there was artistic collaboration - in abundance.

Initiated over 20 years ago, the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital showcases the finest vocal musicians in District 99 in an annual collaborative performance. "This event symbolizes what is best in District 99." said South High School Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "It is collaborative, it is predicated on excellence, and it is all about students."

Leading up to this recital, both South and North High Schools hold independent vocal festivals. These festivals, held during the school day, are adjudicated by professional musicians and teachers from outside of District 99. The expert panel of adjudicators provide each student performing event with immediate formative feedback, and, with a score based on the quality of their performance. Each school then holds a run-off competition, where the best events are selected by the panel of adjudicators to perform on the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital. In total, more than 150 chamber music events are adjudicated during the Vocal Festivals at North and South High Schools.

In addition to the District 99 team of teachers working with the student musicians, a superior staff of private voice teachers coach and accompany the student singers through the performance preparation process at both South and North High Schools. These teachers are integral to the student success manifested during this recital.

"Solo singing is the highest level of performance." said North High School Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague. "We strive for all of our students to aspire to this level of performance excellence." Once this recital is experienced as a listener, it is clear that the ability to sing with excellence alone and in small groups demonstrates performance mastery better than any other assessment.

District 99 Orchestra Concert Wednesday Night

The District 99 Orchestra is preparing today for their March concert, which this year features all contemporary music. Featured on the concert will be the music of composer Michael Shelle, and the artistry of guest performer Miho Sasaki. Both composer and performer have been "in residence" in Disrict 99, rehearsing with student musicians and engaging in dialog about creating and performing music.

Be certain to attend this event - the group sounds fabulous and the repertoire is extremely engaging. Wednesday, March 7, 2012 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School. Admission is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend.

42 Music Events Earn Division 1's at IHSA State Contest

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 4, 2012.

Forty-two events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division I rating of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  In addition, twenty-six events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division II rating of OUTSTANDING.  A Division II score is categorized as “An excellent performance – only minor defects.”

“Preparing for a Solo and Ensemble contest is a great opportunity for our students to express their individualism as soloists and to develop team-work skills with small ensembles,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High.  “We’re very proud of all our students who entered the state contest this year.  They did a terrific job representing North High with their musicianship.”

Three North High student musicians received a “Best of Day Award” for garnering the highest achievement score in their event room.  Trumpet soloist Shauna Bracken, harpist Michelle Libby, and vocalist Patrick Murray were all recognized by judges to be the most outstanding performers of the day in their performance venues. 

The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating:

Cameron Box - Violin       

Shauna Bracken - Trumpet       

Elizabeth Brunell  - Female Voice     

Emma Burkhardt - Viola       

Tristan Burnham - Violin       

Anna Burton - Female Voice      

Louie Buttny - Violin       

Ben Casey - Tuba       

Jeremy Craven - Trumpet       

Hannah Crowley and Kathleen Moralde - Flute Ensemble   

Caitlin Doak - Female Voice       

Tommy Donnelly - Trumpet       

Erin Elgass - Alto Sax      

Sam Fiala - Trumpet       

Stephanie Gillen - Flute       

Michelle Hsu - Marimba       

Justine Hung - Piano       

Madelaine Isobal - Female Voice      

Frannie Jones - Female Voice      

Shatien Jordan - Violin       

Shatien Jordan, Monica Lim, and Rachel Pfeifer - String Ensemble 

Annie Ketchmark - Violin       

Allison Kirkegaard and Marissa Leo - Treble Ensemble   

Emma Kombrink and Laurel Post - Keyboard Percussion Ensemble  

Lauren Kovanko  - Viola        

Lauren Kovanko, Katie Krainc, and Katie Portman - String Ensemble 

Katie Krainc - Violin       

Anna Krainc - B-Flat Clarinet      

Brett Latman - Trumpet       

Monica Lim - Violin       

Patrick Murray - Male Voice      

Amanda Nagy - B-Flat Clarinet      

Sam O'Neil - Trumpet       

Alana Osterling - Cello       

Alana Osterling, Katie Portman, Stephanie Tandaric, and Sarah Williams - String Ensemble

Katie Portman - Violin       

Grace Roman - Female Voice      

Jonathan Sheetz - Bass Clarinet      

Stephanie Tandaric - Violin       

Jennifer Vetrone - Trumpet       

Sarah Williams - Viola       

Eareen Yambao   - Male Voice       

D99 Vocal Honors Recital Tonight!

Don't miss the District 99 Vocal Honors Recital tonight, March 6, 2012, 7:00 PM at Gloria Dei Church in Downers Grove! 

District 99 Artists Garner 6 of 13 Awards at Elmhurst Art Museum

This March Elmhurst Art Museum celebrates the creative accomplishments of budding artists. Portfolio awards 13 senior art students from DuPage, Kane and Will Counties for their portfolio's originality, presentation, technique and creativity. 

Julianna Estall, 2011 Best in Show Portfolio artist said, "Portfolio was truly one of the most memorable experiences of my high school career. I feel incredibly lucky to be honored amongest such a talented group of young artists."

Portfolio opens Friday, March 16 and runs through March 31, 2012.  There will be an opening reception on Friday, March 16, from 6:00 - 8:00 pm.  



Autumn Moeberg, Flower Purse


Elmhurst Art Museum's 2012 Portfolio artists are: 

• Kaycee Arnold, Aurora--West Aurora High School 

• Bridget Bicek, Downers Grove--Downers Grove South High School 

• Mackenzie Cimala, Burr Ridge--Hinsdale Central High School

• Leighanne Crawford, Woodridge--Downers Grove North High School

• Paul Giacalone, Carol Stream--Wheaton North High School

• Ryan Kleibhan, Carol Stream--Glenbard North High School

• Iris Lee, Oswego--Aurora Christian Academy

• Justin Lee, Naperville--Aurora Christian Academy

• Glenda Lissette, Elmhurst--York Community High School

• Daniel Meinhart, Downers Grove--Downers Grove North High School

• Autumn Moberg, Downers Grove--Downers Grove North High School

• Morgan Sandacz, Woodridge--Downers Grove North High School

• Michael Weimer, Downers Grove--Downers Grove South High School



A Gig of "Historic" Proportions

The DGN Jazz Ensemble enjoyed the opportunity to open this evening for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band at the famous Chicagoland Jazz hangout, FitzGerald's.  Our students were honored to play on a stage that has been host to countless jazz luminaries over the decades.  

After an exciting, toe-tappin set, DGN students and families stayed to enjoy the swingin' sounds of the Chicago Grandstand Big Band.  In the Bass Trombone chair we were pleased to cheer on Woodridge (District 68) music teacher, Mr. Brad Payne.  Mr. Teague even got in on the act, sitting in with the band on three selections in the opening set.

Kudos to all who performed tonight, and thank you to Bill Gilardon (band leader) for the invitation to play FitzGerald's.




 

 
 

DGN Jazz Ensemble to Play World Famous FitzGerald's Sunday Night

There are few places better known for jazz than FitzGerald's in Berwin, IL, built in the 1920s. This Sunday night, at 6 pm, the DGN Jazz Ensemble will perform an opening set for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band.

Cover is $10 for adults, and $5 for 17 and under.  Come out and support the DGN Jazz Ensemble in a room that is rich with character and ambiance.  Hope to see you there!

Guest Conductor & Mathematician

The Symphonic Band was pleased to welcome Math Department faculty member Mr. Matt Maletich to the band room this morning. Mr. Maletich was warmly received as he tried his hand at conducting.

Rumor has it Mr. Miller might infiltrate an Algebra class next week ...