DGN Alumnus Muriel Anderson

Today North High was pleased to welcome alumnus and guitar virtuoso, Ms. Muriel Anderson, back to campus. Ms. Anderson presented this morning to our Guitar class, and will return to the area in November for her annual "Welcome Home" concert.

Trojan Marching Band Class of 2012

This evening marked the final football season performance of the 2011-2012 Trojan Marching Band. Congratulations and thank you to the Class of 2012 for your dedication, passion, and musical excellence. You have all had a significant and meaningful impact on the legacy of our program, and you will be missed!

Marching Band Showcases Musical Excellence

Congratulations to the 185 member Trojan Marching Band on a FANTASTIC Band O Rama concert! The band 'wowed' the audience with their musicianship and spirit as they performed nearly 30 pieces of music in just under one hour.




The 2011 Trojan Marching Band upheld a tradition of excellence that has become the hallmark of the band program at DGN. Well done Trojan Marching Band!

Band O Rama Tonight!!

Don't miss the color, pageantry, and sounds of Band O Rama 2011! Thursday night - 7 pm - Johnson Auditorium. Come catch the Trojan Band, and enjoy the sounds of the 2011 football season!

DGN Congratulates Thirty-Nine All-District Musicians!

Thirty-nine student musicians from Downers Grove North High School were selected, by competitive audition, to the 2011 Illinois Music Educators Association District Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band.  Auditions were held on Tuesday, October 11, at Carl Sandburg High School.  The top placing scores were selected for participation in the District Music Festivals, to be held during the month of November.

“Selection to the IMEA All-District ensembles is a big honor for a high school musician,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson.  “Our faculty is excited for these students who will now have the opportunity to collaborate with the most outstanding musicians in our region.  We are looking forward to hearing great performances at the District Music Festival next month.”

DGN  BAND  STUDENTS
Shauna Bracken (12) Trumpet (Band)

Shauna Bracken (12) Trumpet (Jazz)

Augustine Calvino (11) Alto Sax (Jazz)

Sebastian Calvino (10) Trombone (Jazz)

Tommy Donnelly (10) Trumpet (Jazz)

Faisal Khurshid (12) Percussion (Band)

Anna Krainc (12) Clarinet (Orchestra)

Robby Kulik (10) Drums (Jazz)

Brett Latman (11) Trumpet (Band)

Brett Latman (11) Trumpet (Jazz)

Sam O’Neil (11) Trumpet (Jazz)

Spencer Schillerstrom (10) Tenor Sax (Jazz)

Stephen Shatzer (12) Bassoon (Orchestra)

Jonathan Sheetz (12) Bass Clarinet (Band)

Andrea Vetrone (12) French Horn (Band)

DGN  CHOIR  STUDENTS
Samantha Barry (12) Alto II

Devin Collett (12) Soprano I

Anthony Digiulio (12) Bass II  
Madelaine Isobal (11) Alto II

Frannie Jones (12) Alto I

Anna Krainc (12) Alto II

Patrick Murray (10) Tenor I

Kate Weyers (11) Alto I

Eareen Yambao (12) Tenor II

DGN  ORCHESTRA  STUDENTS
Emma Burkhardt (11) Viola

Tristan Burnham (11) Violin

Anthony Depaz (11) Violin

Jimmy Izewski (11) Double Bass

Allison Kirkegaard (9) Cello

Mantas Kisielius (10) Violin

Lauren Kovanko (12) Viola

Katie Krainc (11) Violin
Meghan Lyda (12) Cello
Alana Osterling (11) Cello

Nicole Pearson (10) Viola

Rachel Pfeifer (9) Cello

Katie Portman (10) Violin
Sarah Williams (10) Viola
Hannah Young (12) Harp

District 99 Orchestra Fall Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Orchestra - and the Herrick Middle School Orchestra - for their terrific performances at tonight's Fall Orchestra Concert. Each ensemble played with outstanding musicianship and provided the audience with a fabulous evening of entertainment.

D99 Orchestra Concert Tuesday Night!

Members of the D99 Concert Orchestra are on stage this morning preparing for tomorrow night's big concert. Come out to support all the DGN and DGS string students, as well as the Herrick Middle School Orchestra. The concert begins at 7 pm, Tuesday night, in the North High Johnson Auditorium. Admission is free!

Community Service

Tonight DGN Band member Brett Latman played 'Taps' and the 'Star Spangled Banner' at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle as a part of the the Firefighters Silent Parade and Memorial Service. Thanks Brett for your volunteer service to the community!

Fall Choir Concert

Congratulations to the DGN Choirs for a fantastic fall concert! Each
choir and select ensemble performed with great musicianship this
evening. Kudos to all!

Barrage!

Performing before a capacity crowd in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School in Downers Grove, the District 99 Orchestra played Chopsticken with the internationally acclaimed ensemble Barrage. Members of Barrage commented multiple times during the course of the evening about the high caliber of the string program in District 99 and about how well the student musicians were prepared for the performance. The student musicians not only played their instruments at a high level, they also performed the music in a professional manner. Great work tonight orchestra - we're proud of all of you for this outstanding performance!

Additional 'kudos' to the string players from District 58 who also shared the stage with Barrage this evening. Led by Ms. Rose, Ms. Eakley and Ms. Martin, these outstanding young musicians were extremely well prepared and "wowed" the crowd with their performance tonight. The string program's sonic future is exceedingly brightly in District 99. A huge "shout-out" to every District 58 string musician that participated in the performance this evening.

A special thank you to District 99 Orchestra Director, Ms. Jennifer Mullen, for her tireless work in putting tonight's concert together for our community.

District 99 Orchestra & Barrage 2011

Homecoming 2011

It's an exciting day at DGN! Homecoming 2011 is in full swing.




The Trojan Marching Band was featured in multiple performances during this afternoon's assembly program.




Congrats to the Color Guard and Drum Line for their outstanding routines!









Six DGN Band members were nominated to the Homecoming Court this year, including (L to R) Senior King Candidate Stephen Shatzer, Senior Queen Candidate Anna Krainc, Junior Attendant Winner Jim Burke, and Junior Attendant Winner Amanda Nagy. (Not pictured are Senior King Candidate Brendan McBride and Sophomore Attendant Candidate Mandy Gibbons.)





"It was great to see so many community members out on the parade route this afternoon," said Band Director Bill Miller. "I love Homecoming and the chance to see former members of the band!"

Superhero Thursday- Fighting Artistic Ignorance for the Good of Humankind!

Thanks to the DGN "Spirit Band" for providing entertainment as students and staff entered North High this morning.




The Fine Arts faculty is participating today in the "Superhero Dress Up" contest today, and is working diligently to stamp out "artistic ignorance" ... as well as the "Duke of York!"

"Super Show"

Congratulations to three Fine Arts Department ensembles for terrific performances at tonight's 2011 Homecoming Variety Show: the Jazz Lab Band (Spiderman), the Chamber Choir (Superman (It's Not That Easy)), and the Jazz Ensemble (Caught in the Web) .

A special shout out to the Jazz Lab Band for their extra work as the 'house band,' backing vocalist Amanda Coppotelli as she performed "Tears Dry On Their Own" by Amy Winehouse, as well as the JLB Rhythm Section and Mr. Miller for providing the amazing soundtrack to "Get Back To Hogwarts." Great job Jazz Lab Band!!!

Homecoming Variety Show Tonight!

Tonights superhero themed Homecoming Variety Show, directed by Mr. Bill Miller, will feature many incredible acts, including performances of "Spider Man" by the Jazz Lab Band and "Caught In The Web" by the Jazz Ensemble.Come on out for a fun-filled evening of entertainment featuring dozens of talented DGN students. The show starts at 7 pm. Tickets are $5.00 and may be purchased at the door.

We Love Our Team

Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band for a great performance at DGS last Friday night. The DGN Band played from the stands with spirit and energy through to the end.

Now ... on to Homecoming and a victory over the Dukes of York!

Smarts in the Arts

Five students at North High School in Downers Grove - all active in the Fine Arts - have been designated as semifinalists in the 2012 National Merit Scholarship Program, an academic competition for recognition and scholarships sponsored by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students are selected based on test scores, an essay, their schools’ curricula and school official recommendations, as well as involvement in activities and leadership.

The DGN Fine Arts faculty and staff wish to congratulate:

· Kayla Chapa (Photography)
· Emily Temple-Wood (Band)
· Andrea Vetrone (Band)
· Kelsey White (Choir & Orchestra)
· Hannah Young (Orchestra, Band & Choir)

“These students are a source of pride for all of us in the community, and we congratulate them on their achievements and recognition in this prestigious program,” says Superintendent Dr. Mark McDonald.

For more information about the National Merit Scholarship Corporation, please visit www.nationalmerit.org.

Carl Sandburg Marching Band Invitational

Congratulations to the Trojan Marching Band for an outstanding performance this evening at the Carl Sandburg Marching Band Invitational. DGN was "first class" in every imaginable way, including a very fine musical presentation that garnered two Division I "Excellent" ratings from a distinguished panel of music educators.



The Eastern Illinois University Panther Marching Band performed their traditional pre game show, and an exciting "half time" show, in exhibition. Two DGN Marching Band Alumni (trumpet soloist Jay Kelliher & baritone Elizabeth Grubart) performed tonight with the EIU Band. Congratulations to both!

Drum Major Gift Exchange

Cross Town Classic 2011

The annual Cross Town Classic football game took place this evening. While the football teams from North and South High Schools in Downers Grove squared off against each other on the field, the student musicians joined forces in multiple ways throughout the course of the evening.

Conducted by North High Band director and South High alum Bill Miller, the combined marching bands and choirs from both North and South joined forces to perform a stunning National Anthem prior to the game. In addition to sharing the field for the pre-game festivities, the bands performed a combined dance team number, featuring the Athenas from DGN and the Fillies from DGS. We are proud of every student musician that joined in the collaborative efforts to help celebrate just how much music is a part of the schools and the community here in Downers Grove.