Looking for a way to get involved in the DGN Marching Band? How 'bout @dgncolorguard ?

The DGN Color Guard is pleased to announce Audition Clinics for the 2016-17 season.

Click HERE for all the printed details!

AP Studio Art Critique Day #WeAreDGN #99Learns

DGN Visual Art students, enrolled in AP Studio Art, gathered today for a collaborative peer critique as they prepare to submit their AP Art Portfolios to the College Board.

DGN Visual Artists Win 4 National Scholastic Awards #WeAreDGN #99Learns

"Am I Pretty?" - Aubrey Saha, artist.  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Gold Medal Winner

"Cinched" - Jessica Novotny, artist.  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Silver Medal Winner

"Bubbles" - Olivia Wojciak, artist.  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Silver Medal Winner

"Sapphire Treatment" - Angela Wong, artist.  National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards

Silver Medal Winner

North High School in Downers Grove is pleased to announce that after competitive adjudication for National Scholastic Awards, four DGN Visual Artists have been recognized with national awards.

• Jessica Novotny (Silver Medal) - photography category  “Cinched”   Teacher: Megan Kelly
• Aubrey Saha (Gold Medal) - drawing and illustration category  “Am I Pretty?”   Teacher: Marty Voelker
• Olivia Wojciak (Silver Medal) - ceramics and glass category  “Bubbles”   Teacher: Leslie Miller
• Angela Wong (Silver Medal) - ceramics and glass category  “Sapphire Treatment”   Teacher: Megan Kelly

Since 1923, the Scholastic Art & Writing Writing Awards are the nation’s longest-running and most prestigious award and recognition program for creative teens. This year the Scholastic Awards received 320,000 submissions for the 2016 program year. Receiving a National Medal from the Scholastic Art & Writing Awards places these student artists within the top 1% of all submissions from a national pool of art work.

Student work will be in exhibition at Carnegie Hall in New York, New York starting with an gala opening in June of 2016.

Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague shared, "We are extremely proud of Jessica, Aubrey, Olivia and Angela. This national recognition is a significant affirmation of their dedication to the arts, and their creative talents."

2016 District 99 Honors Vocal Recital #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to the student musicians from the North High and South High Choral programs for their wonderful performances in this evening's District 99 Vocal Honors Recital.

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 - 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 100 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.

Special thanks to District 99 music faculty and staff - Pattie Barnes, Joy Belt-Roselieb, Laura Coster, Beth O'Riordan, Ricardo Pedroza and Frank Piekarz for their work in coordinating this evenings recital.

2016 National Scholastic Art Winners from Suburban Chicago Region

Congratulations to all of the visual artists from the Suburban Chicago Region that were recognized with Gold and Silver National Awards!

 

12th Annual Community Outreach Children's Concert #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Irish Spirit Pervades St. Patrick's Day Band Concert #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to the musicians of the DGN Bands on a fabulous St. Patrick's Day Concert! 

Special thanks is extended to the musicians of the Ryan School of Irish Traditional Music for their performances this evening.  

Get In The Spirit of St. Patrick's Day with @dgnbands! Tonight. 7 PM

Tonight's DGN Band Concert will feature great performances by the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.  Joining each ensemble will be guest artists / Irish musicians Clodagh Ryan and Sean Ryan.  Additionally, two Senior Concertos (Alyse Bondarowicz &Todd Griffin) will be a part of this exciting concert.

Do you have family and friends out-of-town tonight who would like to catch our Irish celebration virtually?  The live-stream of the concert may be accessed from the link below.  The concert will then be accessible from the same link, beginning March 18, for 30 days.

http://thecube.com/event/2015-16-dgn-march-band-concert-627836

Come out tonight, and be transported to Ireland!  7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day! #WeAreDGN #99Learns

District 99 Orchestra Concert #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to the District 99 Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra for presenting a fabulous concert Tuesday evening.  Special kudos to senior soloist Haley Beube for her tremendous performance of the first movement of Vivaldi's Concerto No. 2 in g minor (Summer.)  Both orchestras performed a wide range of repertoire, including a stunning full orchestra finale of the Scherzo from Symphony No. 7 by Anton Bruckner.

If you were unable to join us this evening in the auditorium, please experience the rebroadcast on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE. 

Welcome Clodagh & Sean Ryan - Guest Artists #WeAreDGN #99Learns

The DGN Fine Arts Department welcomed Irish musicians Clodagh & Sean Ryan to campus today in preparation for this Thursday's St. Patrick's Day Band Concert. The duo will be featured as soloists with each of the three DGN concert bands, and perform on a variety of authentic Irish wind and string instruments. 

CLODAGH RYAN

Clodagh Ryan grew up in County Derry, Ireland, where at age 6 she began playing Irish traditional music with her three brothers and three sisters. Since then she has won multiple All-Ireland awards on fiddle, concertina and piano. As a result, she was chosen to participate in concert tours of Great Britain, North America and Australia to showcase and promote Irish music. She has also toured extensively throughout Europe and the United States as a member of the traditional Irish band Providence.

 

SEAN RYAN

Born and raised in Chicago, Sean Ryan began playing tin whistle and flute at the age of 6, progressing to the uilleann pipes at age 15. Having studied under Dublin piper Mick O'Brien for several years, Sean also credits Chicago piping legend Joe Shannon (1920–2004) as a major influence on his playing. Sean has won multiple All-Ireland awards on all three instruments, and has performed on Broadway with the Trinity Irish Dance Company, and as a soloist at Chicago's Orchestra Hall at Symphony Center.

 

While maintaining successful careers in medicine and finance, Clodagh and Sean are committed to teaching Irish music to children, fostering a new generation of musicians and furthering the tradition that has been so rewarding to them.

 

District 99 Orchestra Concert - Tomorrow night! #99learns #WeAreDGN

The District 99 Orchestra is making final preparations for their upcoming concert on Tuesday, March 15, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Repertoire by Mozart, Offenbach, Saint-Saens and Bruckner will be performed.  Also featured will be senior soloist Haley Beube on violin.  Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

If you are unable to join us live in the auditorium at South High School tomorrow night, please join us virtually on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.

Winter Guard 3rd Place at Batavia #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard for their 3rd Place finish at Batavia High School this past weekend.  The team increased their composite score by an impressive 11 points and continues to impress audiences at every turn.  Way to go Winter Guard!

Summer Art Camp? Summer Music Camp? Get Some Great Ideas Here! #WeAreDGN #99Learns

We recently advertised our DGN Fine Arts Booster's Summer Study Grants.  Click on the link below to see an expansive and inspiring list of summer learning opportunities for both musicians and visual artists!

http://tinyurl.com/2016FineArtsSummerCamps

Illinois High School Art Educator’s General Exhibition #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Five DGN Visual Art students were selected to participate in the prestigious Illinois High School Art Educator’s General Exhibition at the Zhou B Art Center.

The exhibit featured 500 works from 100 schools in the Chicago Metropolitan area.

Congratulations to the following students on the honor of exhibiting at this prestigious event: 

• Briana Gastaldello – Photography
• Eliza Graham – Graphic design 
• John Klasing – Drawing 
• Kyle Mitchell – 3D 
• Emma Wilson – Painting 

Briana Gastaldello

Eliza Graham

Emma Wilson

John Klasing

Kyle Mitchell 

Apply for a DGN Fine Arts Boosters Summer Study Grant! #WeAreDGN #99Learns

If you are interested in continuing your Fine Arts studies this summer at a music or visual art camp/workshop, and would benefit from financial assistance to attend, please consider applying for a scholarship from the DGN Fine Arts Boosters, which annually supports over $5,000 in Summer Study Grants to student musicians and visual artists.

To be considered, your application must be submitted by Friday, April 15, 2016. The Summer Study Grant application is on a Google form, completely paperless. You may complete the form here:

http://tinyurl.com/2016DGNSummerFineArtsGrant

Questions about the application process? Please ask Mr. Teague, Downers Grove North Fine Arts Department Chairperson.

The Drowsy Chaperone - This Week Only! #WeAreDGN #99Learns

You will not want to miss the fabulous talent on display in the 2016 North High All School Musical: The Drowsy Chaperone!

Thursday, March 10 - 7 pm
Friday, March 11 - 7 pm
Saturday, March 12 - 5 pm

Tickets available at the door; arrive prepared to laugh, smile, and tap your foot uncontrollably!