District 99 Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the D99 Orchestra for presenting their 2013 Spring Concert this evening in the Clarence Johnson auditorium at North High School.  Postponed by one evening due to inclement weather, the diverse repertoire performed during the concert included Dust in the Wind, St. Paul's Suite, and Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Movement I by Beethoven.  Special kudos are extended to senior soloists Kathryn Krainc and Tristan Burnham for performing with the D99 orchestra with extreme grace and elegance.  Although the ground outside is still frozen, the sounds from inside the Johnson auditorium this evening warmed the hearts and minds of the patrons in attendance tonight.

Orchestra Concert Postponed

District 99 has cancelled all after-school events, including tonight’s scheduled Orchestra concert, due to inclement weather.

As foreshadowed in correspondence with orchestra families yesterday, the concert will now take place tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High.  

DGN Swim Team members who now have two events (concert and banquet) should be able to eat dinner at the banquet before joining their ensembles on stage for the concert.  Students have permission, from the coaching staff and the music faculty to come and go between the two events, provided they understand fully an expectation they are to perform in the concert.

Students scheduled to take the practice ACT test on Wednesday evening have had their practice test re-assigned to the South Campus on Thursday night of this week.

Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we endeavor to create the most successful concert possible for our students who have worked very hard to prepare their music for public performance.

DGMC Announces Two $1,000 Scholarships

The DGMC has recently announced two new $1,000 scholarships for college bound seniors.  Two District 99 music students will be awarded this scholarship money as a way of recognizing outstanding musical achievement and service during high school.  The details are listed below in correspondence from the DGMC Education Co-Chairs.  Links to the organization's website, where  you may find detailed information about how to apply, are also provided below.

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This is to announce the availability of a new Downers Grove Music Club (DGMC) music award.  We just received word, that two $1,000 donations have been made to the DGMC with the intent that this money be used this school year, to award two musically accomplished high school college-bound seniors.  The application is available via the website for the DGMC, http://downersgrovemusicclub.org.  The College Music Award information and application is available in the Educational Opportunities section of the website or it can be accessed directly at this link:  http://www.downersgrovemusicclub.org/scholarships_college.html.  Email inquiries may be made to the following address:  musiced@downersgrovemusicclub.org. 

Please make this monetary award opportunity available to all Seniors enrolled in music at both South and North.  Two awards will be given and each recipient will receive $1,000.  As outlined in the actual application, the requirements of the application are as follows:

• Purpose:  to recognize TWO District 99 High School Music students for excelling at a high level of achievement;
• Eligibility:  current high school Seniors who are actively pursuing music and who will be attending college in the fall of 2013, are eligible to apply.  These students need NOT be pursuing a music degree program at their chosen college;
• How to Apply:  complete the written application, along with a required DVD recording;
• Selection Criteria:  the merit of the applicant’s musical accomplishments and the quality of the applicant’s musical performance.
• Award Notification:  the announcement of the College Music Award recipients will be made at the spring awards ceremonies at both Downers Grove North and South.

The application must be submitted via hardcopy, postmarked no later than April 8, 2013.  

• mailing address:  Downers Grove Music Club, Attn: DGMC College Music Awards, P.O. Box 551, Downers Grove, IL  60515

The DGMC would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospital and club member Rose Verona for their generous donations, making these awards possible.

Thanks so much for distributing this information,

Gloria Salazar and Chris Garofalo

Downers Grove Music Club Education Co-Chair

Virtual "Sprinter" Choir Concert Now Online!

Congratulations to the students and staff of the DGN Choirs, for their musicality and resourcefulness, as they have recorded and posted music originally slated to be performed on the February 26th 'Sprinter' Choir Concert.  This virtual concert, recorded on Wednesday, February 27th, captures the hard work, dedication, and artistry of these fine choral ensembles.

Each choir's performance is posted in a unique video, and may be accessed via the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/DGNFineArts

We invite you to attend our virtual concert!

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal with Yo-Yo Ma

Members of the District 99 Orchestra attended an open rehearsal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma.  The CSO is preparing for a weekend concert series Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Yo-Yo Ma .  In addition to learning invaluable observational insight into the rehearsal procedures of a major symphony orchestra, the student musicians were treated to a post-rehearsal conversation with Yo-Yo Ma.  During the conversation, Yo-Yo Ma shared insight into performance preparation and his philosophy of performance.  Thanks to Ms. Mullen for creating this experience for the student musicians in the D99 Orchestra.  

You can hear the D99 Orchestra on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School in Downers Grove.  

Tonight's Choir Concert is Cancelled Due To Inclement Weather

All District 99 Activities are cancelled for this evening, February 26, 2013, due to inclement weather.

This includes the "Sprinter" Choir Concert.

Additional information about potential rescheduling of the concert will be shared with families of choir students via e-mail.

The safety of all members of our District 99 learning community is a primary concern.  Thanks in advance for your flexibility and understanding.

Choral Collaboration an Artistic Success

Congratulations to the students of the North High A Cappella
Choir, the South High Madrigal Singers, the District 99 Orchestra, and all of
the musicians of the Downers Grove Choral Society, for a wonderful “Choral
Collaboration” this afternoon on District 99’s North campus.  Each ensemble performed with great artistic
sensitivity and attention to musical detail.

Our appreciation is extended to District 99 Fine Arts team
members Pattie Barnes (Collaborative Pianist), Laura Coster (DGS Madrigals conductor),
Bill Miller (DGN Auditorium Manager), Jennifer Mullen (D99 Orchestra
conductor), Beth O’Riordan (DGN A Cappella Choir conductor), and Frank Piekarz
(DGN A Cappella Choir conductor), all who played a role in preparing students
for this afternoon’s Choral Collaboration. 
We also thank the North High Music Boosters and the South High Friends
of Fine Arts for providing refreshments for the reception. 

Special congratulations is extended to North High Fine Arts
faculty member Beth O’Riordan for her solo work in the Benedictus of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo.

And finally, District 99 thanks DGCS Music Director, Mr.
Justin Sisul, for his vision to create this afternoon’s collaborative artistic
venture.  

A Choral Collaboration, with students from District 99 Choirs

A Choral Collaboration, with students from District 99 Choirs Sunday, February 24, 2013 3:00 pm Downers Grove North High School Clarence Johnson Auditorium Downers Grove, IL Free concert open to the public; free-will offering at time of performance. NO TICKET PURCHASE NECESSARY!

Franz Josef Haydn, Missa Brevis Saint Joannis de Deo (Little Organ Mass) with students from District 99 high school choirs and the D99 Orchestra featuring Beth O'Riordan, soprano Johannes Brahms, A German Requiem, London version with four-hand piano Celeste Martino, soprano Aaron Wardell, baritone Special Guest Artists Madrigal Singers, Downers Grove South High School A Cappella Choir, Downers Grove North High School

The Harlem (Airshaft) Shake

Featuring the great Duke Ellington's composition Harlem Airshaft, here's the DGN Jazz Ensemble's video response to the Harlem Shake.

The Science of Sound

Mr. Scott Pfeiffer from Threshold Acoustics (and Ben's dad!) visited the orchestra classes today and gave a fascinating presentation about acoustics. Having worked on the renovation of Orchestra Hall, where we will be attending a Chicago Symphony Orchestra rehearsal next week, he taught us about the acoustic considerations when redesigning the hall for the Chicago Symphony.  The students were incredibly engaged by Mr. Pfeiffer’s presentation. Thank you, Mr. Pfeiffer, for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!

Congratulations Winter Guard

Congratulations to the 2013 DGN Winter Guard for completing their season with a terrific performance at Stevenson High School this past weekend.  The team upped their season's best score by five points, capping off a competitive season which yielded tremendous growth.

Many thanks to Winter Guard Coach Kelly Coffman for her artistic vision and dedication to the team!

Winter Spirit Assembly

Congratulations to the DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Winter Guard for their outstanding performances at today's Winter Spirit Assembly!

Happy Valentines Day - from the Upside Downers

Thanks to the "Upside Downers Quartet" for their surprise pop-in serenade this morning!

Two Music Scholarships of Note!

Juniors: the Downers Grove Music Club has a ‘Rising Stars’ Scholarship that can significantly help off-set the costs associated with Summer Music Camps.  Please see the information below.

Seniors:  the Downers Grove Rotary awards an annual scholarship of $2,000 to a deserving District 99 student with a strong music background.  The student does not need to be a music major/minor to apply for this scholarship, and financial need is not a criterion.  Please read the information below for more details on how to apply.

Downers Grove Music Club Rising Stars Music Awards

This is to announce the availability of the Downers Grove Music Club Rising Stars Music Awards (formerly referred to as scholarships).  The application is available via the website for the DG Music Club.  The website address is http://downersgrovemusicclub.org/.  The Music Award information and application is available in the Educational Opportunities section of the website or it can be accessed directly at this link:  http://downersgrovemusicclub.org/scholarships.html 

Please make this monetary award opportunity available to all Juniors enrolled in music at both South and North.  Six awards will be given and each recipient will receive $400 toward furthering their musical education through continued study during the summer.  As outlined in the actual application, the requirements of the application are as follows:

• Purpose:  to recognize SIX District 99 High School Music students for excelling at a high level of achievement;
• Eligibility:  current high school Juniors who are actively pursuing music are eligible to apply;
• Requirement:  the award recipients are required to perform the following year at the Downers Grove Music Club’s Rising Stars program scheduled annually in April;
• How to Apply:  complete the written application, along with an optional recording;
• Selection Criteria:  the merit of the applicant’s musical accomplishments and, if provided, the quality of the applicant’s musical performance.
• Award Notification:  the announcement of the Rising Stars Music Award recipients will be made at the spring awards ceremonies at both Downers Grove North and South.

The application must be submitted either via hardcopy, postmarked no later than April 1, 2013.  Or it must be submitted electronically with a date and time stamp of no later than 11:59 pm April 1, 2013.  

• mailing address:  Downers Grove Music Club, Attn: Rising Stars Music Awards, P.O. Box 551, Downers Grove, IL  60515
• email address:  musiced@downersgrovemusicclub.org

This year we are testing the response to allowing applicants to submit an optional audio/video recording of a musical performance.  This is completely optional. All applications, both those with the optional recording and without the optional recording will be given equal consideration.  

Last year's winners are performing on Tuesday, April 2nd at 7:30 pm.  In addition, former Rising Star DGN alumnus and cellist Josh Zajac will be performing as well as future DGS jazz musicians currently in the Lakeview Jazz Band.  Also, the newly formed, student run A Cappella group at the College of DuPage will be included on the program.  The location is the Faith United Methodist Church at the corners of 59th and Fairview in Downers Grove.  Faculty, friends and family are welcome to attend this exciting event.

Rotary Music Scholarship applications now being accepted!

The Rotary Club of Downers Grove is now accepting applications for their annual Charles Dickerman Music Scholarship. Each year the Rotary Club of Downers Grove gives a $2000 scholarship check to a deserving high school senior who resides in the District 99 attendance area. Charles Dickerman was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove. He was a nuclear physicist at Argonne National Laboratory who had undergraduate degrees in both physics and music. Charles stayed involved in music throughout his life and was an avid bagpiper.

Download a Scholarship Application form at www.dgrotary.com .

All applicants must have their forms postmarked by March 8, 2013. If selected as a finalist, candidates must be available for an interview and audition in the evening of April 8, 2013.

The qualifications to apply for this scholarship are:

• Be a graduating senior attending a public, private, parochial or home school, and reside in the High School District 99 attendance area.
• Plan to pursue a post-secondary education program
• Have participated in high school curricular music activities and/or extracurricular music activities.
• Composers and/or arrangers qualify for this scholarship.
• Pursuit of an undergraduate music major or minor is not required.
• Financial need is not a criterion for selection

Gold Keys

Congratulations to all of the DGN Scholastic Art Award GOLD KEY winners!

Alumnus at the Grammy Awards

The DGN Fine Arts Department congratulates alumnus Matthew West on his two Grammy nominations, and wishes him the best this weekend at the 55th Annual Grammy awards ceremony.

Choirs Welcome Justin Sisul

The members of the DGN A Cappella Choir were pleased to welcome Mr. Justin Sisul (District 58 Principal - Pierce Downer School, and Interim Conductor of the Downers Grove Choral Society) to class today.

Mr. Sisul was on campus to help students prepare for an upcoming collaborative concert on Sunday, February 24 that will feature the Dowers Grove Choral Society as well as choir students from both DGN and DGS.

Winter Guard Demonstrates Amazing Growth

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard for their strong performance at the Niles North High School competition on February 2, 2013.  The team's performance last Saturday was their strongest to date, and improved their score an impressive 9 points.  They landed just 1 point shy of a State-qualifying score. 

Returning to competitive performance after a year off, the 2013 DGN Winter Guard is making steady progress and demonstrating that hard work and dedication do indeed pay off. 

Way to go Trojans!

NIU Jazz is in town tonight!

The great NIU Jazz Ensemble is on campus today holding a series of educational clinics with student musicians from DGN and DGS. Professor Ron Carter and the tenor sax legend Lew Tabacken spent time with our students this afternoon as a prelude to tonight's scheduled concert.

Visual Artists Garner Multiple Awards at Scholastics

The Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove North High School is proud to release the results of the judging from the 2013 Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School and hosted by the Community High School District 99 Fine Arts Departments.  1,058 student artists from 30 area schools submitted 2,973 works of art for adjudication. North High artists won 91 awards, including 28 Gold Key Awards, 24 Silver Key Awards, and 37 Honorable Mention Awards.

The five most outstanding works of art, as designated by the professional adjudicators, were named “American Vision” nominees.  Of the five works selected, two were by Downers Grove North High School visual art students.  Senior Kevin Brinkman’s Digital Art entry – “Why Now?” – and senior Amanda Papp’s Ceramic & Glass entry – “Stoney Teapot” – were both awarded the prestigious American Vision designation. 

“We are very excited to host the regional exhibition at North High,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairman. “This show is always an amazing display of student creativity and a testament to the wonderful art teaching that is happening in District 99.”  According to Teague, the art teachers from both North and South High School play an important role in putting the exhibition together.  “Our District 99 art teachers are the engine behind this regional affiliate of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards.  Their dedication and tireless commitment enables student artists from all over the suburban region to have their work evaluated by professional artists.”

Community High School District 99 will host the Scholastic Art Show Regional Exhibition from February 10-15, at the North High School campus Main Street Lobby (4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60515).  The public is cordially invited to attend the Exhibition Opening and Artist Reception on Sunday, February 10, from 1:00 - 4:00 PM. 

'Why Now?' - Kevin Brinkman

'Stoney Teapot' - Amanda Papp

American Vision Award Nominees (Best of Show)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Digital Art)

Amanda Papp (Ceramics & Glass)

Gold Key Awards

Erin Bellie (Jewelry)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Drawing & Painting)

Kevin Brinkman (Art Portfolio – Digital Art)

Kevin Brinkman (Painting) – 2 Gold Keys

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 4 Gold Keys

Emma Brzezinski (Ceramics & Glass)

Kelly Egan (Art Portfolio – Photography)

Nathan Eisenhut (Digital Art) – 2 Gold Keys

Nathan Eisenhut (Drawing)

Sam Fiala (Ceramics & Glass)

Tyler Kral (Photography)

Julija Lukosevicius (Photography)

Jack McGrath (Art Portfolio – Drawing & Digital Art)

Jack McGrath (Drawing) – 3 Gold Keys

Jack McGrath (Digital Art)

Mantas Naris (Digital Art)

Amanda Papp (Ceramics & Glass)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Digital Art)

Gina Rismondo (Photography)

Alexandria Robinson (Photography)

Margaret Schaub (Photography)

Silver Key Awards

Barbara Armstrong (Drawing) – 2 Silver Keys

Ericka Bergquist (Digital Art)

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 2 Silver Keys

Kevin Brinkman (Drawing)

Marisa Brooks (Photography)

Ethan Chapin (Comic Art)

Julianna Davis (Ceramics & Glass)

Kelly Eagan (Film & Animation)

Kelly Egan (Photography)

Heather Goldie-Morrison (Photography)

Nesma Hamouda (Ceramics & Glass)

Alysha Hudson (Photography)

Katie Kucko (Ceramics & Glass)

Julija Lukosevicius (Photography)

Jack McGrath (Digital Art)

Jack McGrath (Drawing)

Michaela Nicholson (Photography)

Nicholas Prepejchal (Digital Art)

Brooke Pryor (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Digital Art)

Jourdan Wikowsky (Drawing)

Honorable Mention Awards

Katie Berendt (Photography)

Katie Berendt (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Stephanie Biesboer (Ceramics & Glass)

Kevin Brinkman (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Marissa Buonamici (Digital Art)

Erinn Casey (Ceramics & Glass)

Ethan Chapin (Drawing)

Jess Chika (Jewelry)

Lauren Dawson (Jewelry)

Nathan Eisenhut (Drawing)

Sam Fiala (Ceramics & Glass)

Isabelle Ghanayem (Painting)

Daneca Gray (Drawing)

Ashley Johnson (Ceramics & Glass)

Lexi Johnson (Photography)

David Leitner (Photography)

Maddie Mason (Photography)

Riley McDaniel (Mixed Media)

Jack McGrath (Drawing)

Morgan Mensavage (Jewelry)

Mantas Naris (Digital Art) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Michaela Nicholson (Photography)

Maddisen Nona (Ceramics & Glass)

Sarah Paradise (Photography)

Nicholas Prepejchal (Digital Art)

Livija Rainyte (Drawing)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Painting)

Rebecca Ridderhoff (Drawing)

Mark Salik (Ceramics & Glass)

Sydney Schoolcraft (Ceramics & Glass)

Andie Sherman (Photography)

Monica Wiegard (Photography)

Jourdan Wikowsky (Digital Art)

Jene Witherspoon-Thicklin (Jewelry)