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Wednesday, March 20, 2019

DGN Visual Artists Earn National Scholastic Art Awards Honors

Cosette Thompson: Gold Medal Drawing and Illustration "The Narrow Doorway"
Four DGN Fine Arts students were honored this year at the national level, placing them in the Top 1% of all adjudicated works. Their artwork will be in exhibition at Carnegie Hall in New York, New York beginning with a gala opening in June of 2019.

Downers Grove North is proud to congratulate this year's National Scholastic Art Award winners:
  • Kaitlyn Almazan: Silver Medal Drawing and Illustration "Paranoia"
  • Lucy Quinn: Silver Medal Ceramics and Glass "Utterly Inconceivable"
  • Kate Sosnovsky: Silver Medal Comic Art "Cosmic Bend"
  • Cosette Thompson: Gold Medal Drawing and Illustration "The Narrow Doorway"
We are thrilled for these exceptional visual art students and this amazing accomplishment," said DGN Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague. "Their hard work and determination, coupled with the exceptional mentoring of their teachers, has propelled them to be recognized at this level. We could not be happier for them."

Each year, the Alliance of Young Artists and Writers partners with more than 100 visual arts and literary arts organizations across the country to bring the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards to local communities. Teens in grades 7–12 (ages 13 and up) apply in 29 categories of art and writing. 
Starting in 1923, the competition has made an enduring impact on the art and education. In 2019, students submitted nearly 340,000 works of art and writing to the Scholastic Awards.
Submissions are juried by luminaries in the visual and literary arts, some of whom are past award recipients. 
Panelists look for works that best exemplify originality, technical skill, and the emergence of a personal voice or vision.
Students receiving Gold Keys, Silver Keys, Honorable Mentions, or American Voices and Visions Nominations are celebrated within their communities through local exhibitions and ceremonies. 
Gold Key works are then judged nationally by an impressive panel of creative–industry experts to receive National Medals, including Gold Medals, Silver Medals, American Voices and Visions Medals, Gold Medal and Silver with Distinction Portfolio Medals, and Special Achievement Awards. National Medalists are recognized in part at the National Ceremony at Carnegie Hall in New York City.
Kate Sosnovsky: Silver Medal Comic Art "Cosmic Bend"

Lucy Quinn: Silver Medal Ceramics and Glass "Utterly Inconceivable"

Kaitlyn Almazan: Silver Medal Drawing and Illustration "Paranoia"


DGN Artist Honored by Alliance of Fine Art


The Alliance of Fine Art held their annual Student Scholarship Competition at the Naperville Art League this month.

Twelve art organizations, including our Downers Grove Artist's Guild, selected two student works to represent them at the show. Four student entries were chosen to receive the AFA Award of Excellence and a cash prize.

DGN senior Katilyn Almazan was one of the four winners, for her pastel drawing "Interconnection".

For more information about the Alliance of Fine Art, visit their website:

Monday, March 18, 2019

2019 District 99 Honors Vocal Recital


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 represents 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 - Joy Belt-Roselieb, Beth O'Riordan, Ricardo Pedroza, Frank Piekarz, Rachel Seidel and Margaret Winchell for their work in coordinating the recital this evening.








Sunday, March 17, 2019

Winter Guard Takes 1st Place at TF South!


Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard on another 1st place finish, this time at the Thornton Fractional South High School Winter Guard Contest. The team's score of 74.92 was a five point increase over their last contest score. The team also swept the board, taking 1st in every judged caption in their competitive class. #wearedgn! 









Thursday, March 14, 2019

Congratulations DGN Bands!


Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, for a tremendous performance at this week's concert. Each ensemble played with passion and attention to musical detail. A special congratulations is extended to Senior Concerto Soloist Abigail Bowers.






Wednesday, March 13, 2019

Congratulations D99 Orchestra!



The District 99 Concert and Symphonic Orchestras presented a wonderful concert on Tuesday, March 12, 2019 in the Johnson Auditorium at DGN.  Thanks to a generous grant from the D99 Foundation and support from DGN and DGS FOFA which funded coaching sessions from professional musicians, nine different chamber ensembles were featured at the start of the concert. The artistic elegance and depth of expression from each ensemble was impressive.

Also featured during the concert were soloists Lucie Boyd and Amelia Korbitz.  Accompanied by the D99 Symphonic Orchestra, both Lucie and Amelia demonstrated a professional level of performance proficiency that impressed every concert patron in attendance.  Congratulations to both Lucie and Amelia for sharing their artistic talents in such an excellent manner.

The evening concluded with a performance of the Finale from Dvorak's "New World" Symphony by the D99 Symphonic Orchestra. Congratulations to the students and staff affiliated with the D99 Orchestra - it was a wonderful evening of music!












DGN Bands in Concert Thursday Night!


Please join the DGN Bands for their March Concert, Thursday evening at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School.

Family and friends unable to join us on campus may tune in to the live-stream on the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel

Monday, March 11, 2019

District 99 Orchestra Concert - Tuesday Night!


Please join the District 99 Orchestra for their March Concert, Tuesday evening at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School.

Family and friends unable to join us on campus may tune in to the live-stream on the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel


Tuesday, March 05, 2019

Beauty and the Beast This Week at DGN


North High, and DGN Fine Arts, presents the musical Beauty and the Beast on Thursday, March 7 at 7 p.m., Friday, March 8 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, March 9 at 5 p.m. The performances will take place in the Auditorium at North High School (4436 Main Street, Downers Grove).

Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for students (outside D99) and senior citizens, and free for D99 students with their school ID. Tickets can be purchased at the North High Activities Office or at the door at the night of the event. For more information, contact Sharon Mamula at smamula@csd99.org or 630-795-8413. 

Synopsis: Based on the smash hit 1991 Disney movie and dating back to a late 18th-century classic French fairy tale, Beauty and the Beast tells the story of Belle, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who feels out of place in her provincial French village. When her father is imprisoned in a mysterious castle, Belle’s attempt to rescue him leads to her capture by the Beast, a grisly and fearsome monster, who was long ago trapped in his gruesome form by an enchantress. The only way for the Beast to become human once again is if he learns to love and be loved in return. There is a time limit, too: once a magical rose loses all of its petals, all hope will be lost and he will stay a Beast forever. The Beast’s enchanted household--populated by such beloved characters as Mrs. Potts, Lumiere, Cogsworth, and Chip--watch anxiously as Belle and the Beast grow to understand and befriend one another. Their feelings grow ever deeper as the clock ticks and petals continue to fall off the enchanted rose--will they confess their love for one another before it is too late?




Cast
Prince:    Patrick Jackson
Beggar/Enchantress:    Emma Larson
Belle:    Ellie Banke
Mrs. Potts:    Emma Nykiel
Babette:    Molly Bohan
M. Bouche:    Deanna Fields
Chip:    Harley Blanchard
Beast:    Patrick Jackson
Gaston:    William Berberich
Maurice:    Patrick Ryan
Lumiere:    Travon Moore
Cogsworth:    Ben Kulat
LeFou:    Cole Cook
Monsieur D’Arque:    Jacob Trnka
Silly Girls:    Renee Boone, Kelly Brinkman, Kate Crisp, Mia Knutson, Emma Larson, and Amanda Smith
Aristocratic Lady:    Caroline Weidman
Fish Man:    Harry Stagaman
Egg Woman:    Kaitlyn Ford
Sausage Curl Girl:    Julia Isoniemi
Baker:    Matt Troher
Lady With Cane:    Delaney Durbin
Lady With Babies:    Olivia Balicki
Candle Woman:    Maddie Klockner
Hat Seller:    Mia Knutson
Milkmaid:    Megan Wikowsky
Book Seller:    Liam Johnson
Cheese Man:    Ben Hodonicky
Butcher:   Ian Stagaman
Butcher’s Wife:    Caroline Pleune
Fabric Woman:    Mackenzie McGuire
Fruit Woman:    Emma Larson
Wolves:    Kelly Brinkman, Maddie Klockner, Allie Emmet, and Eva Vazquez


Featured Dancers
Renee Boone
Kelly Brinkman
Allie Emmet
Maddie Klockner
Emma Larson
Mackenzie McGuire
Amanda Smith
Eva Vazquez


Ensemble
Olivia Balicki
Renee Boone
Via Bouvier
Bridget Callaghan
Kate Crisp
Moises Dominguez
Jaclyn Duellman
Delaney Durbin
Allie Emmet
Mike Flavin
Claire Flynn
Kaitlyn Ford
Nina Ghanayem
Christina Godar
Nayeli Granados
Ben Hodonicky
Kelly Hopkins
Emily Igoe
Julia Isoniemi
Liam Johnson
Niobe Johnson
Maddie Klockner
Mia Knutson
Mary Kosowski
John Landry
Cora Lingenfelter
Becca Maniskas
MacKenzie McGuire
Victor “Cole” Merkin
Alyssa Miller
Amber Moca
TJ Nottelman
Alex Panos
Caroline Pleune
Amanda Ragnini
Amanda Smith
Harry Stagaman
Ian Stagaman
Emery Teague
Jacob Trnka
Matt Troher
Jacob Tyszkowski
Eva Vazquez
Caroline Weidman
Megan Wikowsky





Stage Crews

Publicity/Dramaturgy:
Alexa Park
Kate Sosnovsky
Ellie Cawthorne
Caitlin McCann
Mia Smith

Set/Props Crew Heads:
Lane Adamson
Bobby Barnett

Set/Props Crew Members:
Connor Daemicke
Molly Doherty
Lauren Dry
Liz Huth
Samantha Joyce
Marin Koch
Anna Kus
Forrest Lorenz
Alex Martin
Evan Miller
William Mitchell
Mikayla Moran
Patricia Moran
Rori Mullen
Mia Norris
Tressa Rapach
Madeline Riske
Francisco Sahelices
Annelise Spinosa
Mia Tiangco
Willa Thompson


Lights/Sound Crew Heads:
Phoebe Stewart
Erik Stangley

Lights/Sound Crew Members:
Belle Blanchard
Andrew Jackson
Charlie Johnson
Gavin McCool
Daniel Sosnovsky 
Matthew Spencer

Costumes/Make-Up Crew Heads:
Grace Cannan
Taylor Till

Costumes/Make-Up Crew Members:
Annie Cash
Lillie Cawthorne
Vanessa Demarchi
Madeline From
Gabryel Gruszka
Sara Mitchell
Lauren Pierret
Sarah Stangley


Pit Orchestra
Aleena Albert, horn
Daniel Atwater, trumpet
Josie Bondarowicz, bass
Rebecca Edmundson, violin
Marissa Gonzales, flute/keyboard
Isaac Hsu, cello
Emilija Irvin, bassoon
Eric Jacobsen, English horn/oboe
Justin Koblich, percussion
Megan Krause, violin
Emma Krause, flute/piccolo
Mary Lerch, horn
Katherine Lyda, violin
Claire Mathews, cello
Parker McGuire, violin
Ish Mistry, trombone
Tushar Mitra  , violin
Jonathan Orjala, trumpet
Sophia Peters, cello
Eli Pfotenhauer, percussion
Aidan Purcell, clarinet
Catherine Ramsey, harp
Paige Sadler , violin
David Schmurr, violin
Ms. Rachel Seidel, piano
Olga Sretenovic, violin
Miles Teague, horn
Katherine Tokash, violin


Monday, March 04, 2019

DGN Musicians Find Success at 2019 State Contest


Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 2, 2019.

100 students from Downers Grove North High School performed Solos and Ensembles that earned a Division I rating of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  In addition, 41 students from Downers Grove North High School performed Solos and Ensembles that garnered 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.”

Four North High student musicians received perfect scores at the State Contest. Emilija Irvin, Emma Krause, Mackenzie McGuire, and Andrew Swenson each earned perfect marks from the judges for their solo work. Mackenzie McGuire also received a “Best in Room Citation” for garnering the highest achievement score in her event room. 

The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating:
Aleena Albert - Horn
Tessa Arenz - Bass Clarinet
Nicholas Atonson - Violin
Daniel Atwater - Trumpet
Justin Berghorst - Violin
Carissa Blumka - Flute
Abigail Bowers - Flute
Lucie Boyd - Viola - Best in Room Citation
Grace Chalberg - Trumpet
Mikayla Cichy - Flute
Phoebe Covey - Trumpet
Alison Dry - Trombone
Jaclyn Duellman - Voice
Emma Duncan - Viola
Rebecca Edmundson - Violin
Emily Ennis - Flute
Derek Ferraro - Trumpet
Abbie Folkening - Flute
Marissa Gonzalez - Flute
Jeannie Hansen - Bassoon
Zachery Heppner - Clarinet
Aaron Heppner - Flute
Isaac Hsu - Cello
Emilija Irvin - Bassoon – Perfect Score
Matt Isenman - Alto Sax
William Janka - Tuba
Rachel Jeske - Oboe
Josephine Jurasas - Trumpet
Bilal Khurshid - Snare Drum
Amelia Korbitz - Violin
Francesca Korbitz - Flute
Helen Kosowski - Flute
Emma Krause - Flute – Perfect Score
Mary Lerch - Horn
Blake Lietz - Trombone
Cora Lingenfelter - Voice
Sarah Lupescu - Clarinet
Katherine Lyda - Violin
Margaret Lyons - Flute
Gavin McCool - Trumpet
Parker Jo McGuire - Violin
Mackenzie McGuire - Voice – Perfect ScoreBest in Room Citation
Alyssa Miller - Voice
Brady Moore - Cello
Amaya Munoz - Violin
David Nelson - Clarinet
Raegan Novak - Flute
Owen Nystrom - Bassoon
Katelynn Ohk - Flute
Jonathan Orjala - Trumpet
Noah Pardue - Viola
Brian Perillos - Euphonium
Caroline Plune - Flute
Caroline Plune - Voice
Catherine Ramsey - Harp
Tressa Rapach - Trumpet
Matthew Rios - Trumpet
Sam Stein - Trumpet
Andrew Swenson - Trumpet – Perfect Score
Miles Teague - Horn
Alayla Tingzon - Flute
Julianna Tuohy - Trombone

Jozie Arenz, Cole Merkin, Brian Perillo, Josh Powers - Euphonium Quartet
Katelynn Ohk, Alayla Tingzon - Flute Duet
Mckayla Cichy, Emily Ennis, Abbie Folkening, Raegan Novak - Flute Quartet
Catherine Ramsey, Caitlyn Stocki - Harp Duet - Best in Room Citation
Melissa Parkinson, Alyssa Cafferty - String Duet
Sotis Gouriotis, Xiaoya Harrison, Shea Casey - String Trio
Katherine Gross, Julia McGuire - String Duet
David Schmurr, Tushar Mitra, Benjamin Hodonicky, James "J.P." Vranas - String Quartet
Justin Berghorst, Elizabeth Cremer, Alena Spreitzer, Amy Spreitzer - String Quartet
Olga Sretenovic, Megan Krause, Jesse Wei, Noah Pardue, Claire Matthews, Julia Latocha - String Sextet
Emilija Irvin, Rachel Jeske, Emma Krause, Aidan Purcell, Miles Teague - Woodwind Quintet


The following North High Music Events received a “Division II—Excellent” rating:
Madeline Antonio - Violin
Grace Arnold - Violiln
Jeremy Blumka - Trombone
Gwen Casten - Trumpet
Lucas Marra - Horn
Zarchary McDermott - Horn
Denny McNulty - Horn
Taran Mellacheruvu - Violin
Luke Ourada - Viola
Edie Pawlak - Marimba
Andy Perino - Trumpet
Paige Sadler - Violin
Sunti Segrave-Daly - Clarinet
Demitrious Stravou - Violin
Julia Szostak - Cello
Katherine Tokash - Violin

Amelia Korbitz, Lucile Boyd - String Duet
Paige Sadler, Julia Szostak - String Duet
Madeline Antonio, Grace Arnold, Demetrios Stavrou - String Trio
Rebecca Edmundson, Naia Brandt, Luke Ourada, Isaac Hsu - String Quartet
Amaya Munoz, Akshi Mistry, Owen Lesley, Zoey Etheridge - String Quartet
Katherine Lyda, Aleena Albert, Emma Duncan, Braden Moore, Josie Bondarowicz - String Quintet
Parker McGuire, Katherine Tokash, Benedikt Strempfer, Sophie Peters, Sebastian Strempfer - String Quintet

Sunday, March 03, 2019

Winter Guard Takes 1st Place at Stagg!


Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard on their 1st place finish at the Stagg High School Winter Guard Contest this past weekend! The team's score of 69.92 was a ten point increase over their last contest score; and they swept the board, taking 1st in every judged caption in their round. The winter guard did DGN proud this weekend, and we can't wait to see what they accomplish with the rest of their season!




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.