DGN Symphonic Band, DGN Jazz Lab Band and DGN Jazz Ensemble on Thursday Night!

The musicians of the DGN Symphonic Band, DGN Jazz Lab Band, and DGN Jazz Ensemble will present their Fall Band Concert Thursday, November 1 at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Please join us for an evening of wonderful music!

Congratulations Concert Band and Wind Ensemble!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band and DGN Wind Ensemble for their outstanding performances at tonight's Fall Band Concert. A special thank-you in extended to the Herrick Middle School Band and the Gaudete Brass for joining the DGN Bands on stage and sharing their music with the community!

Guadete Brass Join DGN Wind Ensemble, DGN Concert Band, and Herrick Band on Tuesday Night!

The musicians of the DGN Wind Ensemble & DGN Concert Band will be joined in performance by the Gaudete Brass Quintet, Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. This concert will feature a special performance of Suite from MASS, by Leonard Bernstein, and honor the 100-year anniversary of the composer and conductor's birth. The performance of MASS, with the Guadete Brass, is sponsored by the Illinois Arts Council, the District 99 Education Foundation, and the DGN Friends of Fine Arts.

The Gaudete Brass will also join forces with the Herrick Middle School Band on this concert.

Since 2004, the Gaudete Brass Quintet has committed itself to presenting serious brass chamber music through compelling concerts, commissioning new works and adventurous recordings. The group has engaged in live performances at venues such as Merkin Hall and Symphony Space in New York City and Millennium Park in Chicago, commissioned new works from noted composers such as David Sampson, Jonathan Newman, John Cheetham, Steven Bryant and Stacy Garrop, and appeared on radio broadcasts on WFMT in Chicago and Nashville Public Radio.

While keeping this rigorous performance schedule, Gaudete has recorded three albums: Brass Outings (2006), winner of the CDBaby Editors’ Choice distinction and nominee for Just Plain Folks Best Classical Chamber Album; Conversations in Time with organist R. Benjamin Dobey (2011, Pro Organa); and Chicago Moves, produced by Grammy winner Judith Sherman and featuring several of its commissioned works (2012, Cedille Records).

The quintet has also presented educational programs and concerts at prominent institutions including The Juilliard School, Eastman School of Music, and Arizona State University and starting in the fall of 2013 the GBQ has joined Roosevelt University’s Chicago College of Performing Arts faculty as ensemble-in-residence.

Gaudete (gow-day-tay) is a form of the Latin word for “Joy.” We support the idea that chamber music, even (and perhaps especially) the serious kind, can powerfully communicate both the poignant and the exuberant.

Congratulations Cast, Crew and Production Team - The Island of Dr. Moreau

Congratulations to the Cast, Crew & Production Team of the DGN Fall Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau!

Journey with DGN Theatre to The Island of Dr. Moreau

The DGN Fall Play, The Island of Dr. Moreau, follows the adventures of a young woman, Edwina who was shipwrecked and rescued. Her rescuer takes her to an unknown island where there are mysterious creatures - crosses between human and animals, created by Dr. Moreau. Edwina sees Dr. Moreau's work as unethical and horrific. Dr. Moreau believes he is advancing science in ways no other person is capable. Will they reconcile their different beliefs before one of the creature’s attacks? How will Edwina eventually get off the infernal island? Support DGN Theatre and join our audience for this creepy play, filled with an eerie soundtrack and amazing special effects makeup. Shows are at 7 pm on Thursday and Friday October 25 & 26 and 5 pm on Saturday. October 27 in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium.  Tickets are $10 adults at the door and free with a student ID. What a great way to kick off the Halloween season!

Final Week To Sell Fannie May and Support DGN Fine Arts!

The DGN Fine Arts 2018 Fannie May Candy Fundraiser is in it's final week! The program runs through Thursday, October 25th. Fine Arts students should have already received or picked up their sales packets so if you have not seen the order forms and informational materials yet, be sure to ask them about it. Pertinent ordering information can be found HERE (or, if you prefer a mirthful video message, take a look HERE).

The Fannie May Candy sales program is one of three fundraising revenue streams for DGN Fine Arts (the other two being Spirit Wear sales and the Spring Plant Sale) and it is a vital component in reaching our annual goal of $50,000 to support our Fine Arts students and programs. If every Fine Arts student at DGN sold or purchased one box of Pixies, more than $4,000 would be earned toward that targeted number.

A few helpful selling points/ideas:

• Candy makes a great Christmas/Holiday gift - a perfect way to celebrate the season or say "thank you" to someone.
• Orders will be delivered to you the week of November 12th - in time for Thanksgiving gatherings.
• Prices are the same as in store - but NO sales tax.
• Orders will be delivered by the student seller (or proxy) to the customer - no dealing with crowds and waiting in lines.
• Uh, delicious chocolate confections, right?

Additionally, all students who sell candy will receive a candy bar treat. Students who sell $50 or more will have a chance to win one of four $25 gift cards (Starbucks, Chipotle, AMC Theatres or Target - you choose!) - students who sell $100 or more will be entered into the drawing twice.

Questions? Please contact chairperson Ms. Judy Lyons at 630-699-3777 or jplyons8@comcast.net.

Thank you very much for your support of DGN Fine Arts. Happy Selling!

The District 99 Orchestra Kicks Off Its Chamber Music Program #99learns

The District 99 Orchestra program recently learned that they received a grant from the District 99 Education Foundation that will enable students to work with members of the Grant Street String Quartet in chamber ensembles (small groups of musicians).  

We kicked off the chamber music program with a performance by the Grant Street String Quartet and an engaging discussion about chamber music, how to work well in small groups, musical and rehearsal considerations, and a host of other topics related to chamber music.

 

Make Your Travel Plans To Visit The Island of Dr. Moreau!

Click HERE to be directed to the trailer via YouTube.

D99/D58 Orchestra Concert Celebrates the Earth

More than 200 student musicians from four schools and two districts gathered to celebrate music as the District 99 Orchestra sponsored the "Terra Sonus" concert.  The repertoire during the concert celebrated music that displayed the beauty of Earth. This meaning was further highlighted by student read program notes and slides to highlight the meaning of the music for the patrons.  The capacity crowd in the auditorium departed with a palpable enthusiasm for the success of the concert, both in the diversity of repertoire and in the fabulous performances by all the student musicians.  A special highlight was guest soloist Michele Lekas performing The Lark Ascending by Ralph Vaughan Williams with the D99 Symphonic Orchestra.

Thanks to the O'Neill Middle School Orchestra, Julie Spring, director, and the Herrick Middle School Orchestra, Madeline Fiene, director, for their significant sonic contributions to this performance.Thanks also to D99 Orchestra director Jennifer Mullen for envisioning and planning such a collaborative event.

D99 & D58 Orchestras Ready To Celebrate Earth

You will not want to miss Terra Sonos: A Concert Celebrating Planet EARTH, on Tuesday, October 16, 2018 at Downers Grove South High School. The concert, which begins at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium, is free and open to the public. 

Joining the District 99 Orchestra on stage will be students of the Herrick and O'Neil Orchestras, as well as guest violinist Michèle Lekas. 

Crosstown Victory Celebration Caps Memorable Marching Band Season Finale

Congratulations to the member of the DGN Trojan Marching Band as they performed their final regular-season home-football show on Friday evening. The football team's victory in the Crosstown Classic capped off a terrific evening of school-spirit and outstanding musicianship!

A special thank-you is extended to the members of the Class of 2019 for their dedication and commitment to the Trojan Marching Band. In total, our seniors contributed 160 years of combined service to DGN! 

Additional band-related photography from the Crosstown Classic may be found HERE.

DGN Choirs Share Passion for Music at Fall Choral Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Choirs for an outstanding Fall Choral Concert. A Cappella Choir, All Access, Chamber Choir, Concert Choir, Concert Singers, Freshman Choir, Treble Choir, and Treble Ensemble each contributed to the sonic success of this year's first showcase of DGN vocal talent. Bravi tutti!  

Did you miss the concert? Have out-of-town family that couldn't make it? We have you covered. Tune in to the re-broadcast on our DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel, HERE!