Images from DGN vs. Prospect

Congratulations to the members of the 2008 Trojan Marching Band for a terrific season-opening performance this past Friday night. Nearly 60 band members were marching for the first time in uniform, officially moving from "Newcomer" to "Former" status by end of the evening.

Americans for the Arts .org

Marching Band Rehearsal Time Clarification 8/21/08

Dear Band Families-

First of all, thank you for your attendance at last night's meeting. We're excited about another great year with your students.

If you are not a parent/guardian of a Marching Band participant, please disregard the remainder of this message.

If you ARE a Marching Band family, we would like to remind you that tomorrow's rehearsal is scheduled for 5-9PM, not 4-9PM as indicated in the Band Handbook.

Sorry for this confusion! Please let me know if you have any questions.

Best wishes for a great school year!

Band Camp 2008

Mrs. Kelly to study at Chicago Art Institute

The Fine Arts Department congratulates visual art teacher Megan Kelly on her invitation to participate in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Teacher Institute in Contemporary Art from July 13 – 18, 2008.

Mrs. Kelly was also accepted to the Institute’s Studio Extension. The Studio Extension allows teachers to continue their studio practice uninterrupted for an additional week.

Mrs. Kelly will engage in an intensive week of study, with day-long classes followed by evening presentations. Additionally, participants will be asked to complete a series of evaluation tools at the conclusion of the Institute experience, and then after the following school year, providing examples of the Institute’s effort on their teaching and curricula.

Only twenty-six teachers from across the United States are invited to participate.

Indy 500 Festival Parade

IPL 500 Festival Parade to include the North High School Trojan Marching Band

INDIANAPOLIS (May 14, 2008) – The 500 Festival announced today the Trojan Marching Band from Downers Grove, Illinois, will take part in the 2008 IPL 500 Festival Parade on Saturday, May 24. The Parade, now a 51 year tradition, attracts more than 300,000 spectators along the two-mile route. During this celebration spectators will have the chance to catch a glimpse of the 33 starting drivers of the 92nd running of the Indianapolis 500, specialty units, nationally-known celebrities including Grand Marshall Patricia Heaton, spectacular floats, marching bands and entertainment groups, giant inflatable balloons and costumed characters.

The Trojan Marching Band has performed regularly in the Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony in Downers Grove, IL and Independence Day Parades in Darien and Downers Grove. The band has also performed in the Chicago Jingle Elf Holiday Parade and the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin, Ireland.

The band will also perform on race day on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway track as part of the Annual Pre-Race Pageant of Bands.

The IPL 500 Festival Parade provides an opportunity to see all 33 drivers set to start the Indy 500 in one place the day before the race. The Parade has grown to be one of the signature events in the U.S. each year. It consistently ranks among the top three parades in the nation including the Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade and the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade.

Themed “Fuel the Dream,” this year’s parade is a true representation of the power and pageantry of the month of May - a Hoosier tradition with a television package that will bolster the Parade’s national presence. The IPL 500 Festival Parade will be televised nationally on ESPN2. Be sure to look for the band on the ESPN2 telecast starting at 4PM local time on the 24th!

University of Illinois Faculty Brass Quintet

The University of Illinois Faculty Brass Quintet performed three
concerts for instrumental music students at North High on May 13,
2008. Prof. Flores of the Percussion Department also joined the
quintet and offered a percussion clinic to North High percussionists.

Spring Art Show Opening

Congratulations to the visual art students who are currently
exhibiting their tremendous works in the annual Spring Art Show.

Music Boosters Annual Flower Sale

Thank you to all who supported the annual Flower Sale!

Western Michigan University Jazz

The Great Frame Up Creative Self-Expression Show

Congratulations to the North High visual art students who were featured in the 2008 Creative Self-Expression Show sponsored by The Great Frame Up (1999 W. 75th St., Woodridge, IL 60517).

Drawing: Kathryn Butler, Therese Byrne, Grant Hansen, Stephanie Koblich, Ellen McCammon

Jewelry: Megan Degen, Lexis Monfort, Meredith Vavra, Paulius Vertelka

Photography: Emma Andersen, Emma Bolam, Kelsey DeMarco, Sydney Hampton, Colleen Hoppestad

Digital Images: Robert Holly, Allison Novak, Michelle Pine, Joseph Rouse, Meredith Vavra

Ceramics: Erin Agnoli, Evan Bauer, Rinnu Joseph, Sydney Leja, Denise Vigilia

CSO Percussionist - James Ross

Chicago Symphony Orchestra percussionist Mr. James Ross presented a master-class on orchestral percussion techniques at North High School today, helping students prepare for their band placement auditions this spring and the IMEA District/State auditions next fall.

Born in Cincinnati and educated in the Chicago area, James Ross graduated from Northern Illinois University in 1971. His teachers have included Roy C. Knapp, G. Allan O'Connor, and Vic Firth.

Jim has been a percussionist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra since 1979. He made his solo debut with the Orchestra in 1986 in Milhaud's Concerto for Percussion and Chamber Orchestra under Erich Leinsdorf. A member of the Grant Park Symphony from 1973 to 1978, he
returned to that orchestra in the summer of 1993 as a soloist in Toru Takemitsu's From me flows what you call Time.

Active as a chamber musician, Jim has performed and recorded with such ensembles as Chicago Pro Musica, Chamber Music Chicago, the Chicago Contemporary Chamber Players, Summit Brass, and the Vermeer Quartet. He frequently participates in the Chicago Symphony's chamber music series as well as its contemporary music programs.

Barrage Plays to SOLD OUT House

The members of the District 99 Orchestra - and the international cast of Barrage - performed to a sold-out Clarence Johnson Auditorium on Monday, April 14th. The high-energy music performance had the audience on their feet often, and the appreciative reception brought a rare second encore. (Organizers shared after the show that the perform their second encore piece approximately one in every ten shows.)

Since its creation in Calgary, Canada, Barrage has been featured many times at events worldwide having played for many Presidents, Prime Ministers and Princes. Barrage has also had their television productions aired on several international TV networks including the PBS network in the USA, the BBC in the UK and CBC in Canada and has performed live shows in New Zealand, Singapore, Taiwan, China, Canada, Finland, Sweden, Ireland, Denmark, Poland, Germany, Norway, Monaco, the USA and the UK.

Congratulations to and thanks to Ms. Mullen for her vision and energy to bring Barrage to the District 99 community. It was an evening of music we will not soon forget!

Barrage tonight!

District 99 orchestra students in rehearsal for this evening's
"Barrage" Concert.

Dana Hall - Artist In Residence

Born in Brooklyn, New York, drummer Dana Hall has been an important musician on the international music scene since 1992. After completing his education in Aerospace Engineering at Iowa State University, he received his Bachelor of Music degree from William Paterson College in Wayne, New Jersey and, in 1999, his Masters degree in Composition and Arranging from DePaul University in Chicago, Illinois. He is presently a distinguished Special Trustees Fellow pursuing his Doctorate in Ethnomusicology at the University of Chicago.

Concurrent with his national and international recording and touring projects, Mr. Hall can also be regularly seen and heard in Chicago performing and recording with his own groups and as an in demand artist with the groups of others. Mr. Hall uses and endorses Yamaha Drums, Bosphorus Cymbals, and Pro-Mark Drumsticks.

North High School's Fine Arts Department is pleased to welcome Mr. Hall to District 99 as the 2008 Jazz Artist in Residence. Mr. Hall began his residency with an evening rehearsal of the Jazz Ensemble on Monday night, April 7.

Mr. Hall will be featured at the annual "Sharing Is Caring" concert on April 8 at 7 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Admission is free and open to the public.

District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

Congratulations to the North High musicians who were selected to
perform in this evening's District 99 Vocal Honors Recital.

Winter Guard - 2nd in State

Congratulations to coach Emily Rivera and the DGN Winter Guard on their performances this past weekend at the IDTA State Competition in Champaign. Our team placed 2nd in the State in the Lyrical Flags category, as well as 2nd in the state in the Tall Flags category. These two accomplishments are the highest state level scores/places in school history.

Way to go DGN Winter Guard:

Kelly Cantlin

Ashley Ford

Nella Granback

Annamarie Kowalewicz

Kaitlyn Kropp

Anita Pattanayak

Amanda Pigott

Jennifer Poad

Lauren Rush

Kaitlin Sheber

Carrie Strandgard

Lindsay Waszak

Lisa Witek

District 99 Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Orchestra for a
terrific concert tonight!

Scholastic Art Awards - 95 Award Winners from DGN

Above: Scholastic Art Awards 'Gold Key' Winners from North High Fine Arts

Student artists from Downers Grove North High School received regional visual art recognition through The 2008 Scholastic Art Awards. In all, North High visual artists garnered 95 awards in the juried exhibition.

Now in its 85^th year, the Scholastic Art Awards is a national competition devoted to recognizing outstanding art and writing created by middle school and high school students.

The competition begins with regional adjudications across the country. Our 2008 regional show, sponsored by District 99, received 1133 entries from 15 local high schools, as well as 38 entries from 3 middle schools competing in a separate age category.

Downers Grove North High School was honored with another outstanding performance at this year’s regional show.

• 22 students were awarded a total of 31 Honorable Mention commendations.
• 18 students received a total of 20 Silver Key honors
• 27 students received a total of 31 individual Gold Key awards
• 13 students received Portfolio Gold Key awards

Art Portfolio Category

Megan Degen GOLD

Jessica Durkin GOLD

Lauren Palmer GOLD

Michelle Pine GOLD

Joe Rouse GOLD

Jessica Silvester GOLD

Ceramics Category

Evan Bauer HM

Rachel Campo HM

Daniel Conrad HM

Todd Duke GOLD

Katelyn Kos GOLD

Jessica Mandujano GOLD

Luke Munro SILVER

Amanda Seamans GOLD

Joe Sterr SILVER

Susan Wesolek GOLD

Crystal Yi HM

Computer Art Category

Elyssia Lee HM

Allie Novak GOLD

Padraic O’Connor GOLD

Joe Rouse GOLD

Digital Imagery Category

Kari Lindeman GOLD, SILVER, HM(3)

Drawing Category

Kathryn Butler GOLD, SILVER

Terese Byrne GOLD, HM(2)

Vicky Holland HM

Stephanie Koblich GOLD, SILVER

Colleen Malec GOLD

Allie Novak SILVER, HM(2)

Lauren Palmer GOLD, SILVER, HM

Joe Rouse GOLD(2), SILVER, HM

Nick Rudy GOLD

Paulina Zmitrowicz GOLD

Graphic Design Category

Bob Holly GOLD

Michelle Pine GOLD, SILVER(2), HM

Joe Rouse GOLD

Jewelry Category

Jessica Caputo SILVER

Samantha Czernik SILVER

Megan Degen GOLD(2)

Abigail Green GOLD

Maggie McGrath HM(2)

Rachel Melant SILVER

Lexis Monfort GOLD

Katherine Pogwizd HM

Ryann Sladek HM

Emiliusz Smorczewski SILVER, HM

Meredith Vavra GOLD

Paulius Vertelka GOLD (American Vision Award), SILVER

William Walker SILVER

Mixed Media Category

Natalie Smith HM

Painting Category

Allie Novak HM

Lauren Palmer SILVER

Jessica Silvester GOLD, HM(3)

Photography Category

Erin Agnoli SILVER

Kelsey DeMarco HM

Allie Novak HM

Cara Pagels GOLD

Ben Ruffalo GOLD

Natalie Smith GOLD, SILVER, HM(2)

Margaret Wolf HM

Photo Portfolio Category

Kari Lindeman GOLD

Sculpture Category

Megan Degen SILVER, HM

Each year the jury selects 5 American Vision Awards from over 1100 entries.

This year North High Jewelry student Paulius Vertelka received an American Vision Award for his piece entitled “Vessels of Life”.