Community Outreach Concerts - Thank You and Look Back

The DGN Bands have presented an annual "Community Outreach Concert" for the past fifteen years, each with a unique theme. Many of our current band students remember attending these concerts as elementary school students. Our 2020 concert (Monster Mash) would have been the 16th-annual concert for elementary school children in the community. 

Our 2019-20 Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble, prepared a terrific program of music that would have been shared last week (Friday, March 20), and today (Tuesday, March 24). CLICK HERE to see the Teacher Resource Guide that describes the music prepared in anticipation of this year's concerts. 

This post, which includes a photo taken during a rehearsal of Eric Whitacre's "Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!", is shared as a THANK YOU to the student musicians who worked very hard to create this year's program. COVID-19 has prevented us from sharing the music with our community, but it did not prevent us from experiencing the joy of learning and preparing to share with others!

We have also included an embedded video below of the Minnesota Symphonic Winds performing "Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!" in 2013, in hopes it might bring a smile to the faces of our Wind Ensemble students. 

2020 - "Monster Mash" (Godzilla Eats Las Vegas!)

"Take Flight!"

"Commotion in the Ocean"

"That's all Folks!"

"The Art of Music"

"Carnival of the Animals"

OSCAR

OSCAR

OSCAR

DGN Musician Earns First Place in DGMC Piano Competition

Congratulations to DGN sophomore Lincoln Peckenpaugh, who recently won First Place in the Senior Division of the Downers Grove Music Club Piano Festival and Competition. 

The official Honors Recital, that would have featured Lincoln performing, was cancelled due to COVID-19. A special thank you is extended to Dave Humphreys, from the DGMC, for making a special house-call to honor Lincoln's achievement. 

QuaranTUNES by "Quarantet"

The Baldwin Family is coming together, through music, and reminds us that the arts are social, even in uncertain times.

This video is the outgrowth of a DGN Bands distance learning assignment (for S. Baldwin), that extended naturally to the entire family. Bravo!

DGN Students Unify To Support Senior Concerto Performance

Today, in a heartwarming show of support for DGN Senior Emilija Irvin, a group of DGN Band members, faculty, and parents, connected through video-conferencing to hear Emilija present her performance of Carl Maria von Weber's Bassoon Concerto in F Major. 

Emilija's performance (previously scheduled to have been tonight at DGN) was terrific, and immediately served to unify those who were virtually in attendance through the power of music and the arts. 

BRAVISSIMO Emilija ... and all who tuned in today to share in the community of music!

Play DGN's March "Musical" Madness!

Missing your NCAA March Madness brackets? Looking to add a few minutes of fun to each of your remote learning days? Play our March "Musical" Madness! Head-to-head match-ups will begin Thursday, March 19 and continue until the Champion is crowned on March 31st. 

Two ways to play!

1) WEDNESDAY / THURSDAY ONLY!!! Print a hard copy of THIS BRACKET and fill it out completely, including the "champion" on the center line. Alternatively, download the PDF, and fill it out electronically using a PDF editor. Take a photo/screen-shot of your bracket, and upload the bracket HERE before 8:00 AM (CST) on Friday, March 20. Make sure you include your name and CSD99 email address on the bracket before uploading. PERFECT BRACKETS will be entered into our Prize Drawing, that will include 2 tickets to a live musical in the Chicago Region (Show and Date TBD). [This portion of the contest is only open to Community High School District 99 students, faculty and staff.]

2) ALL MONTH: Return to our OFFICIAL CONTEST SITE, every day through March 31, and vote for your favorite musicals in head-to-head competition. Your votes determine the winner, and we will update the bracket with results as the tournament continues. [This portion of the contest is open to ALL, world-wide!]

https://tinyurl.com/DGNMarchMusicalMadness

DGN Visual Artist Earns Two National Scholastic Art Award Silver Medals

Belle Blanchard - National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - Silver Medal

Congratulations to DGN Visual Artist Belle Blanchard, who has been honored with two National Silver Medals by the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, placing her artwork in the Top 1% of all adjudicated works nationally. 

"We are thrilled for Belle, and this amazing accomplishment," said DGN Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague. "Belle's hard work and determination, coupled with the exceptional mentoring of her teachers, has propelled her to be recognized at this level. We could not be happier for her." 

Fine Arts faculty member Robyn Bican shared, "Belle has worked diligently to learn new techniques and challenge herself to go above and beyond what is expected in Jewelry and Metalwork. She spends hours developing sketches, exploring new ideas, and sample pieces so that the final product is perfect. I have seen so much growth and I am so proud of her accomplishments in the past two years that I have had her as a Jewelry student."

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 2020, students submitted over 300,000 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 Regional 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. 

Belle Blanchard - National Scholastic Art & Writing Awards - Silver Medal

Bravissimo "Music Man!" / Production Wrap-Up, Videography and Photography

Bravissimo to the entire company of DGN's The Music Man, for tremendous focus, passion, artistry, and resilience in the face of unprecedented production challenges (namely COVID-19). 

Thank you to the District 99 and North High Administration for allowing the production to be filmed in front of a small audience.

Thank you to the family and friends of company members, who were patient, understanding, and supportive of the decisions made regarding our revised performance process. 

The videos of the Thursday and Friday night films will be made available to company members once edited. Families will be sent a link via email (hopefully early this week). The videos be "unlisted" and are intended for private family viewing only. Under no circumstances should the videos be re-posted or advertised online for public viewing. Thank you for respecting our process to share the production with family members who were unable to join us in person for the production.

We have created a folder, HERE, that contains a variety of photography shot during production week. These images were taken by DGN staff member Jolie Fredette, as well as photographers from LifeTouch (our Yearbook company). 500+ images are shared for your viewing, and you may download/use/post freely, as you wish.

Professional photographer Carolina Menapace (CM Stage Photography) also captured images during Production Week. Originally we planned to make families aware of her images for purchase. However, given the fact that many family members were unable to see the production in person, Ms. Menapace has offered free-access to the photos for members of the company. She is still editing, but samples of her work are featured in this post. If you would like to receive access to her images, please CLICK HERE to complete a form. 

 

DGN's "Music Man" Runs Thursday - Saturday!

The DGN Fine Arts Department will present "The Music Man" on Thursday, March 12 and Friday, March 13 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, March 14 at 5 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, $5 for children and free for District 99 students with ID.

Based on a story by Meredith Willson and Franklin Lacey and book, music and lyrics by Meredith WIllson, "The Music Man" follows Harold Hill, a traveling con man. He arrives in River City and convinces the locals to start a band by purchasing the uniforms and instruments from him. His intention is to flee as soon as he receives the money. Librarian Marian Paroo suspects Harold is a fraud, but holds her tongue since her moody brother, Winthrop, is excited about the band. As Harold begins to develop feelings for Marian, he faces a difficult decision about skipping town.

"The Music Man" Cast

(listed in order of appearance)

Traveling Salespeople - Ben Hodonicky, Dimitri Marinakos, TJ Nottelman, Eli Pfotenhauer, Ryan Sanhamel

Charlie Cowell - Myles Laffey

Conductor - Josh Ublies

Harold Hill - Billy Berberich

Newspaper Readers - Madeline Riske, Heather Ramsey, Edie Pawlak

Mayor Shinn - Patrick Jackson

Farmer - Michael Flavin
Farmer’s Wife - Ceci DeArcangelis

The Quartet: Ewart Dunlop (T2) -     Josh Ublies, Oliver Hix (B1) - Ian Stagaman, Jacey Squires (T1) -    Nick Geringer, Olin Britt (B2) - Ben Hodonicky

Marcellus Washburn - Travon Moore

Tommy Djilas - Cole Cook

Marian Paroo - Renee Boone

Mrs. Paroo -    Jaclyn Duellman

Amaryllis - Naya James, Amaira Mittal

Winthrop Paroo - Benjamin Knoepp

Eulalie Mackecknie Shinn - Harley Blanchard

Zaneeta Shinn - Maddie Klockner (and dance co-captain)

Gracie Shinn - Sammy Menapace

Alma Hix - Cora Lingenfelter

Maud Dunlop - Delaney Durbin

Ethel Toffelmier - Caroline Pleune

Mrs. Squires - Julia Isoniemi

Constable Locke - Dmitri Marinakos

Featured Teen Couples - Kate Crisp & Eli Pfotenhauer, Allie Emmet & Jacob Tyszkowski, Edie Pawlak Myles Laffey, Emily Igoe & Owen Curran

Featured Dancers -    Bridget Callaghan, Rebecca Kanarski, Kristen Kras, Mackenzie McGuire (and dance co-captain), Tressa Rapach, Emery Teague, Mackenzie Werthman

Wells Fargo Driver - T.J. Nottelmann
            
Townspeople - Olivia Balicki, Leah Costello, Molly Doherty, Jack Ennis, Hannah Esslinger, Christina Godar, Abby Goodman, Finn Gray, Vivian James, Mary Kosowski, Alyssa Miller, TJ Nottelmann, Heather Ramsey, Madeline Riske, Ryan Sanhamel, Megan Wikowsky

"The Music Man" Pit Orchestra

Tessa Arenz, clarinet/bass clarinet

Grace Arnold, violin

Alison Dry, trombone

Joseph Duncan, bass trombone

Rebecca Edmundson, violin *

Derek Ferraro, trumpet

Marissa Gonzales, flute/piccolo

Zachery Heppner, clarinet  

Eric Jacobson, oboe/English horn

Justin Koblich, percussion

Angelica Kowara, trombone

Sarah Lupescu, clarinet/Eb clarinet

Ish Mistry, trombone

Tushar Mitra, violin

Brady Moore, cello

Katelynn Ohk, flute

Jonathan Orjala, trumpet

Owen Nystrom, bassoon/bari sax

Melissa Parkinson, bass

Sophia Peters, cello

Paige Sadler, violin

David Schmurr, violin

Olga Sretenovic, violin

Andrew Swenson, trumpet

Katherine Tokash, violin

* concertmaster

"The Music Man" Tech Crews

*Denotes crew head

Set

Connor Daemicke*
Grace Cleary*
Dylan Skeen*
Evan Miller*

Marin Koch
Anna Kus
William Mitchell
Vee Barlin
Natasha Fugate
Timmy Koch
Morgan Tappmeyer
Molly Tappmeyer
Mikayla Moran
Olivia Kelley
Mia Tiangco
Mary Lerch
Mia Norris
Forrest Lorenz

Props

Greta Prepejchal*

Ohana Jeron
Rori Mullen
Penelope Ham

Lights and Sound 

Matthew Spencer*

Finn Larkin
Peter Podgorni
Adas Jocys
Gavin Mccool
Robby Bouche
Belle Blanchard
Olivia Shuster

Costumes and Make-up

Sarah Stangley* 

Morgan Lally
Lauren Pierret
Sophie Harris
Analiese Bello
Amanda Quealy
Angelica Renquillo
Kirsten Anderson
Hannah Janka - Asst. Crew Head
Helen Parker
Allison Pustelnik - Asst. Crew Head

T-shirt and Poster Art

Ohana Jeron

DGN Musicians Find Success at 2020 State Contest

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 7, 2020.

66 music events from Downers Grove North High School earned a Division I rating of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  In addition, 27 music events from Downers Grove North High School 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.”

Sixteen North High events received perfect scores, and seven North High events received the "Best in Room Citation" for garnering the highest achievement score in their event room.

The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating:

Tessa Arenz (Bass Clarinet) Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Grace Arnold (Violin) 

Nicholas Atonson (Violin) 

Justin Berghorst (Violin)

Carissa Blumka (Flute) 

Grace Brenner (Trumpet)

Stephen Cecil (Viola) 

Mikayla Cichy (Flute)

Ellie Cremer (Violin) 

Libby DeCero (Violin) 

Alison Dry (Trombone)

Rebecca Edmundson (Violin) * Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Emily Ennis (Flute) 

Zoey Etheridge (Cello) 

Derek Ferraro (Trumpet)

Abbie Folkening (Flute) 

Natalie Folkening (Cello) 

Marissa Gonzalez (Flute) *

Jeannie Hansen (Bassoon) *

Aaron Heppner (Flute) 

Isaac Hsu (Cello) *

Robert Huth (Cello)

Emilija Irvin (Bassoon) * Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Hannah Janka (French Horn) 

William Janka (Tuba) 

Sadie Kearney (Flute) 

Anya Konieczka (Trumpet) 

Francesca Korbitz (Flute) * Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Angelica Kowara (Trombone)

Emma Krause (Flute) * Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Mary Lerch (French Horn) 

Lucas Marra (French Horn)

Kyra McComb (Marimba)

Taran Mellacheruvu (Violin) 

Sophie Michaels (Violin) 

Ish Mistry (Trombone) 

Brady Moore (Cello) 

Nicole Moravec (Violin) 

David Nelson (Bb Clarinet)

Raegan Novak (Flute) *

Owen Nystrom (Bassoon) *

Katelynn Ohk (Flute)

Jonathan Orjala (Trumpet)

Noah Pardue (Viola) 

Melissa Parkinson (String Bass)

Leah Purcell (Flute) *

Catherine Ramsey (Harp) 

Cate Stocki (Harp) 

Demitrious Stravou (Violin) 

Julia Szostak (Cello) 

Miles Teague (French Horn) *

Paige Sadler (Violin) *

Erin Tamasi (Flute) 

Julia Toth (French Horn) 

Carissa Blumka, Leah Purcell, Raegan Novak, Erin Tamasi (Flute Quartet) * Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Mikayla Cichy, Emily Ennis, Abbie Folkening, Sadie Kearney (Flute Quartet) *

Emilija Irvin, Owen Nystrom (Bassoon Duet) *

Carissa Blumka, Marissa Gonzalez, Francesca Korbitz, Emma Krause (Flute Quartet) *

Justin Berghorst, Brady Moore, Catherine Ramsey, Paige Sadler, Jesse Wei (String Quintet) Best of Day Citation in Contest Room

Joey Duncan, Josh Powers (Euphonium Duet) 

Aaron Heppner, Katelynn Ohk, Alayla Tingzon (Flute Trio) 

Tessa Arenz, Zachery Heppner, Sarah Lupescu, Sunti Segrave-Daly (Clarinet Quartet) 

Mikayla Cichy, Emilija Irvin, Eric Jacobsen, Sofia Jimenez (Mixed Woodwind Quartet) 

Sydney Fleming, Katie LaVere (String Duet) 

Alison Dry, Will Knudsen, Ish Mistry, Julianna Tuohy (Trombone Quartet) 

Derek Ferraro, Patrick Martens, Tressa Rapach (Trumpet Trio) 

* - Perfect Score

The following North High Music Events received a “Division II—Excellent” rating:

Ajoni Anand (Viola)

Gwen Casten (Trumpet) 

Grace Chalberg (Trumpet) 

Joey Duncan (Euphonium) 

Chloe Edmondson (Violin) 

Samantha Gargiulo (Violin)

Jessica Gruszka (Trumpet) 

Cameron Hejny (Bb Clarinet) 

Zachery Heppner (Bb Clarinet)

Tabitha Irvin (Bass Clarinet)

Blake Lietz (Trombone) 

Matthew Lupescu (Marimba)

Gavin McCool (Trumpet) 

Amaya Munoz (Violin) 

Devin Murphy (Trumpet) 

Patrick Neustadt (Trumpet) 

Andy Perino (Trumpet) 

Tressa Rapach (Trumpet) 

Sam Stein (Trumpet) 

Andrew Swenson (Trumpet)

Axel Thornton (Cello)

Alayla Tingzon (Flute)

Anna Tokash (Bb Clarinet)

Matt Isenman, Rebecca Orjala, Rachel Rios, Nathan Talag (Saxophone Quartet) 

Kristen Karam, Tushar Mitra, Noah Pardue, David Schmurr (String Quartet)

Madeline Antonio, Grace Arnold, Sotirios Gouriotis (String Trio) 

Gwen Casten, Alison Dry, Mary Lerch, Jonathan Orjala, William Janka (Mixed Brass Quintet)