Live Stream: NIU / D99 Jazz Concert

Out of town tonight, but you want to catch tonight's District 99 & Northern Illinois University Jazz Concert?  We'll have it on High School Cube ... starting at 7 PM (CST).

Click here.

NIU Jazz Concert ... TONIGHT!

With a roster that includes students from Miami to Milwaukee, the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble has long been considered one of the best college jazz bands in the world.

This critically acclaimed and world renown band will be in concert tonight, Tuesday, February 3, at Downers Grove North High School.  The concert, which begins at 7 PM, will open with music from Downers Grove North & South High School jazz ensembles.

Tickets available at the door.

Congratulations All State Musicians!

Congratulations to our 2015 DGN All State Musicians for their terrific performances in Peoria at the Illinois Music Education Conference. We are proud of your incredible determination and talent!

ALL STATE BAND

Alyse Bondarowicz (11) Flute
Evan Culligan (12) Alto Saxophone 
Megan Hung (11) Clarinet 

ALL STATE CHOIR

Abby Huskisson (12) Alto II
Shannon Kennedy (12) Alto II

ALL STATE ORCHESTRA

Jack Barkei (10) Viola
Ari Scott (11) Cello

ALL STATE HONORS ORCHESTRA

Timothy Edwards (11) Cello
Liam Morgan (11) Cello

Amelia Smerz (11) Cello

Celebrating All State Musicians @ILMEA1 #imec2015

DGN Fine Arts congratulates and celebrates the successes of our 10 ILMEA 2015 All State Musicians. We wish them well as they head to Peoria, IL today and begin their work with the All State Band, Orchestra and Choir!

Rotary Music Scholarship Details - Applications Due March 4

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 Downers Grove or 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.

A scholarship application can be downloaded at www.dgrotary.com.

Applicants must have their forms postmarked by March 4, 2015. If selected as a finalist, candidates must be available for an interview and audition in the evening of March 24, 2015.

The qualifications to apply for this scholarship are:

·       Be a graduating senior attending a public, private, parochial or home school, and reside in Downers Grove or 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.

DGN Salutes 2015 Scholastic Art Award Honorees

The Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove North High School is proud to announce the results of the judging from the 2015 Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School and hosted by the Community High School District 99 Fine Arts Departments.  Student artists from 30 area schools submitted 2,836 works of art for adjudication. North High artists won 85 awards, including 24 Gold Key Awards, 30 Silver Key Awards, and 31 Honorable Mention Awards.

 “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 8-13, 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 Artists Reception on Sunday, February 8, from 1:00 – 4:00 pm.

Gold Key Awards

Anayexi Angeles (Ceramics & Glass)

Izabela  Christopher (Ceramics & Glass)

Isabella Cotterell (Ceramics & Glass)

Briana Gastaldello (Photography)

Andra Jankauskaite (Photography) – 2 Gold Keys

Tyler Kral (Photography)

Taylor Laughlin (Painting)

Stacy Mandujano (Ceramics & Glass)

Natalia Marra (Comic Art)

Jessica Novotny (Photography)

Lauren Phegley (Photography)

Lauren Porcelli (Jewelry)

Brooke Pryor (Digital Art)

Livija Rainyte (Painting / Digital Art) – 3 Gold Keys

Aubrey Saha (Drawing and Illustration)

Rachel Schubert (Ceramics & Glass) – 2 Gold Keys

Andie Sherman (Photography)

Karolina Silinyte (Photography)

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Emma Wilson (Drawing and Illustration)

Silver Key Awards

Max Baltrus (Ceramics & Glass)

Audrey Bican (Ceramics & Glass)

Evie Brindl (Digital Art)

Ashley Cockrill (Digital Art)

Emma Dionne (Drawing and Illustration) – 2 Silver Keys

Elizabeth Eboli (Ceramics & Glass)

Briana Gastaldello (Photography)

Claudia Hernandez (Mixed Media)

Katie Lauder (Digital Art)

Megan Masciopinto (Ceramics & Glass)

Chloe Mason (Photography)

Kayelee Newstrom (Drawing and Illustration)

Jessica Novotny (Photography)

Annie Panico (Photography)

Sarah Patrick (Photography) – 2 Silver Keys

Livija Rainyte (Ceramics & Glass / Painting) – 2 Silver Keys

Aubrey Saha (Drawing and Illustration)

Skye Schlottman (Digital Art)

Montana Serafin (Photography)

Bridget Shatkus (Ceramics & Glass)

Andie Sherman (Photography / Art Portfolio) – 2 Silver Keys

Justin Slyteris (Jewelry)

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Patrycja Suliba (Photography)

Kathryn Vaden (Jewelry)

Emma Wilson (Digital Art)

  

Honorable Mention Awards

Bree Arend (Photography)

Maeve Craven (Ceramics & Glass)

Olivia Di Lorio (Ceramics & Glass)

Hailey DiCristina (Ceramics & Glass)

Haley Ferrini (Digital Art)

Grace Furstenau (Photography)

Rose Halper (Jewelry)

Sarah Heinz (Photography)

Louie Ilagan (Ceramics & Glass)

Michael Marconi (Ceramics & Glass)

Margaret Michaels (Drawing and Illustration)

Amanda Micus (Photography) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Allison Padovani (Jewelry)

Sara Prochaska (Ceramics & Glass)

Livija Rainyte (Drawing & Illustration / Painting) – 5 Honorable Mentions

Stephanie Santamaria (Ceramics & Glass)

Nicole Sawdo  (Jewelry)

Tony Sherifi (Photography)

Andie Sherman (Photography) – 2 Honorable Mentions

Alyssa Spikes (Ceramics & Glass)

Kerigan Stadtler (Photography)

Audrey  Staron  (Drawing and Illustration)

Callie Thomas (Photography)

Amber Truby (Sculpture)

Emma Wilson (Digital Art)

Congrats Winter Guard!

The DGN Winter Guard is off to a strong start, competing this afternoon at Waubonsie Valley High School's "Louder Than Words." Today's show marks the opening weekend for the Midwest Color Guard Circuit. 

A special thanks is extended to the DGS Winter Guard for their collaboration and helpful attitude. It is wonderful to see the two schools assisting one another today with props and tarps. 

BT

(Sent from iPhone)

D99 Art Team Hosts Scholastics Regional Adjudication

Over 2,700 works of student art are being adjudicated by a panel of professional visual artists today at North High. 

Many thanks are extended to our D99 Art Faculty for their professionalism and extraordinary efforts on behalf of the entire Chicagoland region!

BT

(Sent from iPhone)

DGN Pep Band / 8th Grade Night

Congrats to the DGN Pep Band for a spirited performance tonight as the Trojans defeated OPRF!

BT

(Sent from iPhone)

Music Exchange - Wayzata High School

DGN was pleased to welcome the Wayzata High School Band to campus today. The Wayzata Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Donald Krubsack, performed excerpts of their Chicago Tour program. The DGN Wind Ensemble performed two selections that will performed in New York on March 2.

Thank you Dr. Krubsack, and the talented members of the Wayzata band program for sharing your music with us today!

Peter Wilson with DGN Symphonic Band in Preparation for Carnegie Hall

Violinist Peter Wilson was on campus this evening to work with the DGN Band in preparation for the upcoming "New York Nouveau" concert at Carnegie Hall.  Dr. Wilson will be a featured soloist with the DGN Symphonic Band on the March 2nd program.  

With less than 40 days remaining to the concert, excitement is really starting to build.  Thank you, Dr. Wilson, for sharing your musicianship with us tonight!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Middle School Choral Festival

North High Choirs shared the stage tonight with the choirs from Herrick Middle School, Jefferson Junior High, and Westview Hills Middle School at the 8th Annual Middle School Choral Festival. The festival included rehearsal with the combined festival choirs on three selections, a wonderful dinner generously hosted by our Fine Arts Boosters, and concluded with a concert featuring the individual choirs as well as the larger combined ensemble.

Special thanks go to the directors from our feeder schools for providing students this opportunity: Ms. Janice Benson (Westview Hills), Ms. Georgann Grecco (Herrick) & Mr. Alex Buda (Jefferson).

DGN Bands Honored at Purdue University Jazz Festival

DGN Jazz musicians were honored at the 25th Annual Purdue University Jazz Festival with a myriad of accolades, including a Division 1 Rating by the Jazz Ensemble.

Congratulations to the following students who garnered Outstanding Soloist Awards:

Alyse Bondarowicz, Bari Sax/Flute
Jackson Hansen, Alto Sax
Michael Hardy, Piano (2 awards)
Eirene Kowal, Vibraphone
Emily Little, Trombone
Matt McCoy, Alto Sax (2 awards)
Zach McCoy, Drums
Anthony McMahon, Tenor Sax
Nate Rapach, Trumpet
Caleb Schmurr, Trombone
Catherine Smerz, Bass (3 awards)
Marz Tingzon, Alto Sax

Yo-Yo Ma with DGN Cellist Tim Edwards

DGN cellist, and District 99 Orchestra member Tim Edwards recently had the opportunity to perform for - and be coached by - one of the legends in the music world: Yo-Yo Ma.

Tim, a junior at North High, is a member of the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra Chamber Music Program.  As the principal cellist of the orchestra, Tim's quartet was invited to participate in a masterclass with Yo-Yo Ma on Sunday, January 11.  Tim's quartet performed the first movement of Mendelssohn's String Quartet No. 4 in E minor.

"It was an absolute honor and pleasure to meet and work with Yo-Yo Ma," said Edwards.  "He had wonderful advice to give us as well as compliments."

The masterclass was the opening event of a six-week long Chicago Youth Music Festival.  Tim will also be performing in a festival orchestra that will close the even in week six.

Congratulations to Tim Edwards!

Swingin' at FitzGerald's

The joint was jumpin' tonight at the famed jazz club FitzGerald's as the DGN Jazz Ensemble performed a full 55 minute set out in front of the terrific Chicago Grandstand Big Band.

It would be impossible to find or create a more authentic "performance assessment" to measure the musical growth of these talented students during Semester 1. The audience agreed as patrons cheered for band members to receive an 'A' for their Semester Final.

Many thanks are extended to FitzGeralds and the Grandstand Big Band for the invitation to perform this evening.

Jazz Cafe 2015

Congratulations to the student musicians of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, DGN Jazz Lab Band, Jefferson Junior High "Friends of Jazz" and the Herrick Middle School Jazz Band - as well as soloist Ms. Catie Hickey - for their performances on Friday night!