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Sunday, August 31, 2014

Calling All DGN Band Alums!


We will once again be forming an Alumni Band to perform with the TROJAN Marching Band during the Homecoming football game against Hinsdale Central on October 24th, 2014. We are trying to find as many alumni as possible to participate in what is always a really fun and exciting event. We are e-mailing this invite and information to alums who have expressed interested in the Alumni Band in the past or performed with us in years past.  We also have a Facebook in the DGN Alumni Band - Official Site group.  Search for it and re-join us if you aren't already a member!  If you know of someone who would be interested in this event, use one of the links above to spread the word (email, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook).  Or go to Facebook to invite them to join the Alumni Band group!!
While you will hopefully recognize the same energy, spirit and musicianship in this year's version of the Trojan Marching Band that you remember from YOUR days at North, there have also been a number of changes on our campus in recent years. 
We are accepting credit card and PayPal payments again this year.  This, along with using this great Eventbrite registration site have added some slight fees to your registration.  We hope the convenience of these tools outweighs the increased expense.  Checks can also still be used for payment.  Click on the "Show other payment options" link during checkout to get the mailing address and details.
When registering, ALL PARTICIPANTS must register for the "Registration Fee" Ticket.  All NEW PARTICIPANTS must also register for the "Sweatshirt Order" Ticket to order the required uniform sweatshirt.  Of course anyone can order additional sweatshirts.
We're looking forward to seeing you on October 24th!

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Taking it to the next level ...

Hundreds upon hundreds of former DGN Marching Band members have, over the years, gone on to make significant contributions to their respective college and university marching bands.  As the college football season hits full stride today, we send our congratulations to some of our alumni who "take the field" this week!  Here are just two, of dozens of examples, of DGN alumni suiting up today ...

Gwen Cortez & Tommy Donnelly (Class of 2014) make their debut with the Purdue University Marching Band today.  Boiler Up!

Kirsten Keller (Class of 2011) begins her Senior season with the Marching Illini today.  "I - L - L ... I - N - I!"

Friday, August 29, 2014

Friday Night Lights

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band on their performance at tonight's abbreviated home football opener!

Kick Off in 60

Let's Go Trojans!

Football 101

Mr. Miller leads the 2014 Trojan Marching Band through the traditional (and uniquely Mr. Miller) "Football 101" Pre-Game instructions.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Hard Work Pays Off - Marching Band Shines at Showcase

Congratulations to the nearly members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band for completing Band Camp 2014, and for a terrific first public performance at last night's Band Camp Showcase.  

We extend thanks to our families and friends who came out in large numbers last night to cheer on the Band and provide an audience for our students.






 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


Friday, August 22, 2014

DGN Marching Band Supports ALS Ice Bucket Challenge

Bill Miller, Brayer Teague, and the DGN Trojan Marching Band accept Coach John Wander's challenge, and in turn challenge North High School Principal, Mr. Scott Kasik!






In addition to our own video from tonight's Band Camp Showcase, we encourage you to take a moment to view this inspiring story about where this phenomenon began ...





... and we encourage all DGN band members to continue supporting the many wonderful charitable organizations across the country that are in need of financial resources to fight disease.

Find a cause you can get behind, and make a difference!




Thursday, August 21, 2014

Band Camp Showcase: Time Clarification

At last night's Music Parent Meeting, we inadvertently projected the wrong times on the screen for Friday night's Band Camp Showcase.  We will follow the originally published schedule, and the times as they appear on our online calendar.  Here is the schedule for Friday night:

4:45 - 5 PM - Band members arrive in band room, dressed in Marching Band T-Shirt, Band Cap, Shorts, and athletic shoes.

5 - 5:15 PM - Warm Up in Band Room (Spectators take seats around East Practice Field)

5:15 - Band moves to field.

5:30 - Showcase Begins

6:15 (approx) - Showcase ends; Band members put instruments away.

6:30 - (?)   Ice Cream Social at Every Day's A Sundae

Tuesday, August 19, 2014

Coach Wander - DGN Band

Today the DGN Trojan Marching Band welcomed Coach John Wander to practice. As has become tradition over the years, Coach shared updates about the upcoming season and thanked band members for providing an electric atmosphere on Friday nights.

Jazz Auditions - Sign up!

Sign up sheets are now available on the Fine Arts Office window (131).  Students who are planning to audition for the 2014-15 Jazz program are asked to express their intent by signing the list.

Audition workshops will take place on August 26 and 27.  (There are not jazz activities on Monday, August 25, which is a change from information published last spring.) All interested students are asked to attend these workshops to practice as a large-group and gain insight into how they may best prepare for the auditions that being August 28.

Audition music is available on our Band Blog (dgnbands.blogspot.com).  See links on the left side of the page.

With a large graduating class in 2014, there are many opportunities for current DGN Band students to get involved!  We hope to see your name on the sign up list!


Friday, August 15, 2014

Band Camp Begins - Section Color Night

Nearly 200 student musicians took the field last night to mark the official start of Band Camp 2014. It was great to once again see and hear the energy, spirit, enthusiasm, and musicianship of the DGN Trojan Marching Band.

Welcome to Newcomers & Formers alike!

Wednesday, August 13, 2014

Can't Wait To Meet You!

We are ready - and excited - to welcome our 2014 Newcomers to the DGN Trojan Marching Band!

See you Thursday morning!

Saturday, August 09, 2014

Leadership Academy

DGN Marching Band Leaders spent Saturday in a Leadership Academy, preparing for the upcoming Marching Band Season. Thank you to our dedicated Leadership Team members for a great day of learning!

Soloists Named for Carnegie Hall Concert

We are pleased to announce that Kristin Bowers and Peter Wilson have agreed to perform solos with our DGN Bands at Carnegie Hall on March 2, 2015.




Kristin A. Bowers (DGN Band Alumnus), is the principal clarinetist with The United States Air Force Band of Washington, D.C.  A native of Downers Grove, IL, her career in the Air Force began in January 2011.

A graduate of Indiana University, Sergeant Bowers received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance in 2006.  She continued her education and earned a Master of Music degree in 2008 from Northwestern University.

Before joining the Air Force, Sergeant Bowers was the assistant principal and E-flat clarinetist of the South Bend Symphony in Indiana.  She enjoyed solo performances with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Northwestern University Summer Orchestra.  Her teachers include Howard Klug, Steve Cohen and Lawrie Bloom.

Sergeant Bowers will perform as soloist with the DGN Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.



Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted violinist and conductor whose musicianship has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He is Music Director of the Waynesboro Symphony and Richmond Philharmonic Orchestras. Highly respected throughout the National Capital Region, he has served as a violinist of The White House for nearly a quarter century. He is also Concertmaster of the American Festival Pops Orchestra and has guest conducted such renowned institutions as the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Gallery Orchestra. He holds music degrees from Northwestern University and The Catholic University of America where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts.

Dr. Wilson began his professional career as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra. For 12 years he was a lecturer at Catholic University where he taught courses in conducting and string techniques while serving as Resident Conductor of the CU Symphony Orchestra. A musician in demand for his high energy, versatility and commitment to authenticity, Dr. Wilson is active as a guest conductor, soloist, recording artist and performance clinician throughout the United States.  He has appeared as violin soloist with such legendary artists as Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, Renée Fleming, Bernadette Peters, and composer/conductor John Williams. He is also cofounder and violinist of the acclaimed string duo "Bridging the Gap" (with double bassist Aaron Clay), which has been hailed for “superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship” by The Washington Post.

Having developed a passion for historically informed performances, Dr. Wilson has researched and conducted several restorations of great American works including Gershwin’s original 1924 version of “Rhapsody In Blue” using his own critical edition, and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” Suite for 13 instruments. In addition, he has championed Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” Concerti, performing as violin soloist and conductor. He has appeared in international publications including The Strad, which stated “[Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.”  Dr. Wilson currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia and is the proud father of three sons.

Dr. Wilson will perform as soloist with the combined DGN Symphonic Band & Concert Band at Carnegie Hall.




Friday, August 08, 2014

DGN Marching Band Leaders @ Lincoln Marsh

Today was the official 'kick-off' of the 2014 Trojan Marching Band Leadership Training Workshop. Drum Majors and Section Captains came together for an action packed day on the High Ropes and Team Courses at Lincoln Marsh in Wheaton, IL.  Today was strong evidence that we have very capable and dedicated Student Leaders in the DGN Bands! 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 


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.