Ron Modell, legendary Professor of Music (retired) from Northern Illinois University, spent time on Thursday, October 23, visiting music classes at both Downers Grove North and South High Schools. He listened to the bands at both schools and offered musical feedback for students and faculty.
Professor Modell is known around the world as one of the most successful music educators of all time, having developed the N.I.U. jazz program into an internationally acclaimed band. Prior to his appointment at N.I.U., Mr. Modell played trumpet in the Dallas Symphony Orchestra.
59 student musicians from Downers GroveNorthHigh School were selected, by competitive audition, to the 2008 Illinois Music Educator’s Association District Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band.Auditions were held on Tuesday, October 14, at CarlSandburgHigh School.The top placing scores were selected for participation in the District Music Festivals, to be held during the month of November.
“To my knowledge, this is the largest number of North High students recognized by the IMEA in our school’s history,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson.“All of our students who auditioned worked very hard and competed against stiff competition.Selection to these ensembles is a real honor for both them, and our school. We are looking forward to hearing great performances at the District Music Festival next month.”
Homecoming '08 was a major success for the North High Bands. Friday was a very busy day for students, including a performance at the Homecoming Assembly, the Parade, and of course the Homecoming Football Game.
Approximately 60 band alumni returned to participate in pre-game, half-time and to perform in the stands with our current students. We had representatives ranging from the Class of '44 all the way to the Class of '08. It was great to have everyone back!
The Trojan miniBand was THRILLED to participate in the Downers Grove Friends of the Library Storybook Parade. The weather forced the parade into the 1st and 2nd floors of the library, but everyone seemed to have a great time. Congratulations to all the young marchers that joined the miniBand in their GREAT costumes. And thanks to Curious George for this photo op!
Last night, at the North vs. South football game, over 400 student musicians joined forces to present a stirring rendition of the National Anthem as a part of the "National Anthem Project." Thank you to Mr. Miller for his terrific work organizing the event, as well as the entire District 99 Music Faculty for the extra energy entailed.
Congratulations to the student musicians involved last night, and a special thank you to our colleagues from South High. It was a pleasure to host the Marching Mustangs!
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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!
North High School endeavors to provide an enriching, vibrant, multidisciplinary environment for the study, creation, and presentation of the Fine Arts.
