NIU Jazz is in town tonight!

The great NIU Jazz Ensemble is on campus today holding a series of educational clinics with student musicians from DGN and DGS. Professor Ron Carter and the tenor sax legend Lew Tabacken spent time with our students this afternoon as a prelude to tonight's scheduled concert.

Visual Artists Garner Multiple Awards at Scholastics

The Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove North High School is proud to release the results of the judging from the 2013 Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School and hosted by the Community High School District 99 Fine Arts Departments.  1,058 student artists from 30 area schools submitted 2,973 works of art for adjudication. North High artists won 91 awards, including 28 Gold Key Awards, 24 Silver Key Awards, and 37 Honorable Mention Awards.

The five most outstanding works of art, as designated by the professional adjudicators, were named “American Vision” nominees.  Of the five works selected, two were by Downers Grove North High School visual art students.  Senior Kevin Brinkman’s Digital Art entry – “Why Now?” – and senior Amanda Papp’s Ceramic & Glass entry – “Stoney Teapot” – were both awarded the prestigious American Vision designation. 

“We are very excited to host the regional exhibition at North High,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairman. “This show is always an amazing display of student creativity and a testament to the wonderful art teaching that is happening in District 99.”  According to Teague, the art teachers from both North and South High School play an important role in putting the exhibition together.  “Our District 99 art teachers are the engine behind this regional affiliate of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Their dedication and tireless commitment enables student artists from all over the suburban region to have their work evaluated by professional artists.”

Community High School District 99 will host the Scholastic Art Show Regional Exhibition from February 10-15, at the North High School campus Main Street Lobby (4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515).  The public is cordially invited to attend the Exhibition Opening and Artist Reception on Sunday, February 10, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. 

'Why Now?' - Kevin Brinkman

'Stoney Teapot' - Amanda Papp

American Vision Award Nominees (Best of Show)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Digital Art)

Amanda Papp (Ceramics & Glass)

Gold Key Awards

Erin Bellie (Jewelry)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Drawing & Painting)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Digital Art)

Kevin Brinkman (Painting) – 2 Gold Keys

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 4 Gold Keys

Emma Brzezinski (Ceramics & Glass)

Kelly Egan (Art Portfolio – Photography)

Nathan Eisenhut (Digital Art) – 2 Gold Keys

Nathan Eisenhut (Drawing)

Sam Fiala (Ceramics & Glass)

Tyler Kral (Photography)

Julija Lukosevicius (Photography)

Jack McGrath (Art Portfolio – Drawing & Digital Art)

Jack McGrath (Drawing) – 3 Gold Keys

Jack McGrath (Digital Art)

Mantas Naris (Digital Art)

Amanda Papp (Ceramics & Glass)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Digital Art)

Gina Rismondo (Photography)

Alexandria Robinson (Photography)

Margaret Schaub (Photography)

Silver Key Awards

Barbara Armstrong (Drawing) – 2 Silver Keys

Ericka Bergquist (Digital Art)

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 2 Silver Keys

Kevin Brinkman (Drawing)

Marisa Brooks (Photography)

Ethan Chapin (Comic Art)

Julianna Davis (Ceramics & Glass)

Kelly Eagan (Film & Animation)

Kelly Egan (Photography)

Heather Goldie-Morrison (Photography)

Nesma Hamouda (Ceramics & Glass)

Alysha Hudson (Photography)

Katie Kucko (Ceramics & Glass)

Julija Lukosevicius (Photography)

Jack McGrath (Digital Art)

Jack McGrath (Drawing)

Michaela Nicholson (Photography)

Nicholas Prepejchal (Digital Art)

Brooke Pryor (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Digital Art)

Jourdan Wikowsky (Drawing)

Honorable Mention Awards

Katie Berendt (Photography)

Katie Berendt (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Stephanie Biesboer (Ceramics & Glass)

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Marissa Buonamici (Digital Art)

Erinn Casey (Ceramics & Glass)

Ethan Chapin (Drawing)

Jess Chika (Jewelry)

Lauren Dawson (Jewelry)

Nathan Eisenhut (Drawing)

Sam Fiala (Ceramics & Glass)

Isabelle Ghanayem (Painting)

Daneca Gray (Drawing)

Ashley Johnson (Ceramics & Glass)

Lexi Johnson (Photography)

David Leitner (Photography)

Maddie Mason (Photography)

Riley McDaniel (Mixed Media)

Jack McGrath (Drawing)

Morgan Mensavage (Jewelry)

Mantas Naris (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Michaela Nicholson (Photography)

Maddisen Nona (Ceramics & Glass)

Sarah Paradise (Photography)

Nicholas Prepejchal (Digital Art)

Livija Rainyte (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Painting)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Drawing)

Mark Salik (Ceramics & Glass)

Sydney Schoolcraft (Ceramics & Glass)

Andie Sherman (Photography)

Monica Wiegard (Photography)

Jourdan Wikowsky (Digital Art)

Jene Witherspoon-Thicklin (Jewelry)

2013 DGN Choral Festival

Congratulations to the students and staff of the DGN Choirs for successfully orchestrating a wonderful festival experience for so many. The choirs of Herrick, Jefferson and Westview Hills brought energy and musicianship to the stage tonight. We look forward to welcoming these singers into the choirs of North High!

Kudos to All-State Orchestra and FMES Students

Congratulations to Orchestra members Katie Krainc, Rachel Pfeifer, and Katie Portman for their outstanding performances at the Illinois Music Education Conference as members of the All-State Orchestras!

Additional kudos are extended to Erin Elgass for her selection to, and participation in, the ILMEA Future Music Educators Symposium.

DGN Student Composers Honored

Congratulations to DGN musicians Kaitlin Shannon and Spencer Schillerstrom for earning awards in the 2012-13 Illinois All-State Music Composition Contest. All-State composers were honored this morning at the Apollo Theatre in Peoria, IL.

Congrats DGN All-State Jazzers!

Congratulations to Brett Latman and Spencer Schillerstrom for terrific performances at the Illinois Music Education Conference as they performed as members of the All-State Jazz Bands!

The Paperless Tour - IMEC Presentation by Brayer Teague

Congratulations to Mr. Teague for the great presentation he made to
Illinois music educators today on the subject of using technology to
support student tour opportunities!

All State Musicians Depart for Peoria

Best wishes to our DGN Music All-Staters who are heading to Peoria, IL today to participate in the Illinois Music Education Conference.

DGN Bands Find Sonic Success & Awards at the Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Bands for terrific performances at the 2013 Purdue University Jazz Festival. Three ensembles from DGN (Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo 1) earned prestigious Division 1 honors from a nationally acclaimed panel of music adjudicators.

In addition to group awards, 13 students earned a total of 20 Outstanding Solo Awards. Congratulations to:

Sam Fiala, Trumpet (2)
Justine Hung, Piano
Rob Kulik, Drums (2)
Brett Latman, Trumpet (2)
Kyle Lewandowski, Tenor Sax
Sam O'Neil, Trumpet (2)
Quinn Post, Tenor Sax (2)
Spencer Schillerstrom, Tenor Sax (3)
Bethany Schmurr, Trumpet
Amelia Smerz, Trombone
Thomas Svoboda, Bass
Evangeline Tuohy, Alto Sax & Flute
Joe Vitti, Trombone

DGN Band Alumnus to Participate in Presidential Inauguration

As President Barack Obama is sworn into his second term Tuesday, Downers Grove will have a familiar face in the crowd.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Kristen A. King, a 2002 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, is the principal clarinetist for the Air Force Concert Band, which is set to march in the 57th inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

Read all about it on the Patch.

DGN Jazz Ensemble @ FitzGerald's

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble for a tremendous performance tonight at the world famous FitzGerald's nightclub. Performing a 45 minute set, and opening for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band, DGN thrilled the audience which then reciprocated with an immediate and prolonged standing ovation.

On the eve of Final Exams there could not have been a more authentic (or affirming) performance assessment of the fabulous work the members of this fine ensemble have accomplished in the first semester. Bravo one and all!

Pep Band @ DGN Winter Classic

Images from Jazz Cafe 2013

Congratulations to the musicians of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, DGN Jazz Lab Band, Herrick Middle School Jazz Band and the Jefferson Junior High Friends of Jazz for a terrific evening of music!

Guest Artist Audrey Morrison - Jazz Cafe Prep

DGN is pleased to welcome Ms. Audrey Morrison (trombone) to campus this evening to work with the DGN Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo. Ms. Morrison, who currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Music Institute of Chicago, served as lead trombonist of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble for over 15 years and has performed at jazz venues all over the world, including Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

Ms. Morrison will be a featured soloist with the bands at the 20th Annual DGN Jazz Cafe. Join us tomorrow night, beginning at 6:30 PM in the DGN Student Cafe, for a wonderful evening of jazz. The concert is free; goodwill donations will be accepted to benefit two charities that strive to eradicate homelessness in DuPage County.