All State Music Education Conference: Grand Finale Concerts

Hundreds of the most decorated student musicians in Illinois performed, and thousands of music lovers listened, as the 2012 Illinois Music Education Conference closed on Saturday with an amazing display of talent. Congratulations to all of our DGN music students who represented North High with class and tremendous musicianship!

Winter Guard Debut Performance

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard, and their newly appointed coach Ms. Katie Prudden, for an outstanding debut performance this week! Keep up the great work ladies!

All State Music Education Conference: Rehearsals In Full Swing

Hundreds of Illinois' most advanced student musicians are in rehearsal today for the upcoming All State Music Concerts. Tonight conference attendees will enjoy performances by the All State jazz ensembles. On Saturday the spotlight will shift to the All State Bands, Choirs and Orchestras.

Pictured here is DGN Band senior Jonathan Sheetz, playing bass clarinet in the All State Band rehearsal this morning.

Congratulations and Thank You, Mr. Teague

Congratulations to Mr. Teague for his leadership as the IMEA Secondary General Music Division Vice President over the past six years.  Most notably during his tenure in this position, Mr. Teague has expanded and deepened the possibilities for students across the state of Illinois to be recognized for their efforts as music composers and arrangers in a very meaningful way.  Today's All State Music Composition Contest Showcase was another wonderful opportunity to showcase compositional talent of the students of Illinois.  Thank you, Mr. Teague, for your service to the students and music teachers of Illinois!

All State Music Education Conference: Composer Showcase Concert

Congratulations to Spencer Schillerstrom for an outstanding
performance at today's All State Music Composition Contest Showcase
Concert in Peoria, IL.

All Staters Depart For Peoria

Eight DGN musicians departed this afternoon for the 2012 Illinois
Music Education Conference in Peoria, IL.

Congratulations to Caitlin Doak, Anna Kranic, Megan Lyda, Alana
Osterling, Jonathan Sheetz, Spencer Schillerstrom, Eareen Yambao, and
Hannah Young who have been selected for this prestigious musical
honor.

DGN Jazz Earns Accolades at Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulations to both the DGN Jazz Ensemble and the DGN Jazz Lab Band for earning Division 1 ratings at the 2012 Purdue Jazz Festival.

In addition to the ensemble awards, the following students were recognized with individual Solo Awards for their outstanding individual improvisation performances:

Shauna Bracken
Matt Butzen
Augustine Calvino
Rachel Cliva
Darius Daugvila
Charlie Dawes
Zach Foster
Justine Hung
Anthony Iacovetti
Brett Latman
John McGarry
PJ O'Hara
Sam O'Neil
Jon Poortinga
Clayton Possidoni
Spencer Schillerstrom (2 awards)
Thomas Svoboda

Safe & Sound at Purdue University

The DGN Jazz Ensemble & Lab Band are in West Lafayette, IN tonight as the 2012 Purdue University Jazz Festival kicks off a weekend of great music making opportunities.

2012 North High Choral Festival

Today DGN welcomed dozens of choral students from Herrick Middle School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Westview Hills Middle School to the 2012 North High Choral Festival.

Congratulations to all of the singers - as well as their dedicated music teachers - for a great afternoon of workshops and for sharing their musicianship with the community!

Let's Get It Started: Pep Band 2012

Coach Colby

Tenor Sax great Mark Colby was on campus today to work with the DGN Cannonball Combo in preparation for a performance this coming February at the College of DuPage.

Jazz @ Caribou

The DGN "Cannonball" and "Dizzy" Jazz Combos recently performed at the Downers Grove Main Street Caribou Coffee, and were joined by a number of DGN jazz alumni who were back in town for the winter break.

19th Annual Jazz Cafe Features Dozens of Musicians and Draws Large Audience

Congratulations to the students of the Herrick Middle School Jazz Band, Jefferson Junior High School "Friends of Jazz", and the DGN jazz program for spirited and exciting performances at the 2012 Jazz Cafe.

Bill Byan - Jazz Cafe Tomorrow Night!

DGN Bands are pleased to welcome professional drummer Bill Byan to
North High this week. Mr. Byan will be performing as a soloist with
the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band at tomorrow night's 19th annual
Jazz Cafe charity benefit concert.

Swing by the DGN Cafe Friday night between 6 and 8:30 pm to hear great
jazz and support this year's charity, LUNGevity.

Tuba Christmas in Chicago

At least six District 99 low brass musicians attended and performed in the 2011 Tuba Christmas held at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. Hundreds of tuba and euphonium players gather here annually to produce some of the most unique and memorable Christmas carols you've ever heard!



Pictured from left to right: Joe Vitti, Marjorie Fera, Alexis Nystedt, and Adam Mills. Not pictured, but performing, were Martin Milan and Ben Casey.

DGN & DGS Student Musicians at 65th Annual Midwest Clinic

The 65th Midwest Clinic (formerly known as the 'Midwest-International Band & Orchestra Clinic') is being held this week in Chicago, IL.  It is the largest annual gathering of music teachers, performers. and music industry personnel in the world.  Attended by nearly 16,000 from all 50 states and 30 countries internationally, the concert features nearly 30 concerts and 90 clinic sessions.

Congratulations to DGN Orchestra student Hannah Young (Harp), DGS Orchestra student Andrew Molina (Cello), and the members of the DGS Jazz Ensemble, who all performed today at the convention.  The North High Fine Arts Department salutes all of you for your outstanding musicianship!

Chamber Choir Brings Holiday Cheer

Many thanks to the DGN Chamber Choir for their enjoyable caroling at
the Parent's Club Holiday Tea.

Arizona State University Jazz All-Stars Visit Campus

Today DGN played host to nine Jazz Performance majors from Arizona State University, who performed for both the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble classes.  These emerging jazz performers are in Chicago this weekend opening for the famed Benny Golson Quartet at the Jazz Showcase.

Joining the Benny Golson quartet at the Jazz Showcase is internationally renown jazz pianist Michael Kocour, who also serves as an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University.

Three members of the DGN 'Cannonball' Jazz Combo (Spencer Schillerstrom, Tenor Sax - Brett Latman, Trumpet - and Sebastian Calvino, Trombone) were afforded the opportunity to join the ASU Combo, and Michael Kocour in an impromptu blues.

Thanks to ASU Jazz All Stars, and Professor Kocour, for your inspired playing - creative original compositions - and mentoring.  We wish you the very best at the Jazz Showcase this weekend.

DGN jazz students and families interested in seeing Michael Kocour with the legendary tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, are encouraged to attend the Sunday Matinee (4 pm) at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago.  It is an 'all ages' show, and convenient parking is only $5 for Jazz Showcase patrons.

Images from the Holiday Mosaic Art Show (2011)

Mosaic's Visual Landscape

DGN Musicians were showcased this morning during back-to-back school assembly programs.  Like last night, the student musicians performed with great artistry.  

An important element of the Holiday Mosaic at North High is the lighting design.  This year's visual landscape was created by junior Mantas Naris.  Congratulations, Mantas, on creating an engaging and captivating environment for musicians and audience members alike.  

Click on the image above for a better look at Mantas' design work during the Jazz Ensemble's performance of 'Dance of the Sugar Rum Cherry.'