Sunday in Manhattan - DGN Band Tour Day 3

Day 3 of the DGN Band Tour began with a tour of Central Park, including the Strawberry Fields and the "Imagine" mosaic that is a tribute to the late John Lennon.  

Students continued their tour of Manhattan by coach bus with local guides, ending at the Circle Line pier.  From here students boarded a ship and headed down the Hudson River for spectacular views of the skyline and the Statue of Liberty.

Our afternoon was spent at the theatre, as students attended one of two musicals: Aladdin and Matilda.  

Evening included group photos in Times Square and a magnificent meal at the Marriott Marquee - Times Square.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saturday in Manhattan - DGN Band Tour Day 2

Day 2 of the DGN Band Tour began at the National 9/11 Memorial & Museum.  It was a powerful and poignant reminder of this national tragedy, yet presented in a beautiful and way that honors all who lost their life.

We transitioned to the Rockefeller Center area in the afternoon.  Students took tours of Radio City Music Hall and enjoyed views at the "Top of the Rock."  In between these tours students had time to explore the area in small groups, and many visited St. Patrick's Cathedral.  Some of our touring parents visited the M&M store and purchased #NYNouveau candy!

Dinner was a fabulous Italian affair at "Naples 45," followed by a breathtaking performance by the New York Philharmonic at Lincoln Center.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Great Day at Ithaca College

District 99 students experienced an amazing day of hospitality and musical growth at Ithaca College today.  After arriving to a delicious Panera breakfast and a freshen up stop at the world class IC Athletic Complex, students transitioned to the music building and experienced a 70 minute clinic with Ithaca College faculty including  Dr. Steve Peterson, Dr. Elizabeth Peterson and Dr. Mark Fonder;  students took a 45 minute campus tour of Ithaca College, gaining experience and insight into the college experience;  students observed a convocation recital featuring a student saxophone quartet, the IC Faculty Brass Quintet, and the IC Trombone Choir.  Finally, students enjoyed lunch in the IC cafeteria, enjoying some of the finest collegiate cuisine available.

Special thanks and shout-out to our hosts and organizers Steve and Beth Peterson, the IC tour guides, the IC music ed students, and the rest of the campus for extending the warmest hospitality imaginable.  Even on a cold day we all felt warm and welcome!

Carnegie Quest

Our tour is Front Page news this morning!

Check out the online version of the article here.

Sprinter Provides Hope for Resolution!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Choirs for a fabulous concert tonight! The "Sprinter" concert featured a wide range of choral literature and showcased the tremendous growth of our DGN choral musicians during the most recent literature cycle.

If you missed the "Hope for Resolution" combined finale, you missed a sonic treat. Make sure you catch the replay on The Cube!

Tonight's Choral Concert - Steaming Live!

Do you have out of town family/friends who would like to attend tonight's DGN Choir Concert virtually?

Here's the link:

http://thecube.com/e/469363

The live webcast is scheduled to begin at 7 PM, baring any unforeseen technical challenges.

Spring + Winter = Sprinter

This evening's 3rd Quarter Choral Concert at DGN is looking ahead to Spring, despite the decidedly Winter weather.

Please join us at 7 pm in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium for a wonderful evening of choral music!

DGN Welcomes Jazz Legend Dennis Mackrel

The DGN Fine Arts Department welcomed drumming great and jazz legend Dennis Mackrel to campus today. Accompanied by the Elmhurst College Jazz Combo, Mr. Mackrel displayed tremendous virtuosity in his performance.

We thank the Elmhurst College Department of Music for sponsoring today's jazz master class in conjunction with the 48th annual Elmhurst College Jazz Festival.

2015 DGN Fine Arts Boosters Summer Study Grant Application

If you are interested in continuing your Fine Arts studies this summer at a music or art camp, but need financial assistance to attend, please consider applying for a scholarship from the DGN Fine Arts Boosters, which annually supports over $5,000 in Summer Study Grants to student musicians and visual artists.
To be considered, your application must be submitted by Friday, April 17, 2015. The Summer Study Grant application is on a Google form, completely paperless. You can complete the form here:

http://tinyurl.com/DGNFineArtsSummerStudyGrants

... or by clicking the image above.

Questions about the application process? Please ask Mr. Teague, Downers Grove North Fine Arts Department Chairperson.

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp - Campus Auditions on Friday, March 6

The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (in Michigan) is one of the nation’s leading arts immersion camps.  BLFAC is a non-profit summer school of the arts specializing in two-week arts programs for intermediate and high school students. 

Because there is a strong tradition of highly qualified District 99 students attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the institution actively recruits in our schools.  Additionally, BLFAC sends a representative to our building each February to hear interested students play and sing.  From those ‘mini auditions’ BLFAC frequently awards merit-based scholarships to attend the camp.  This year’s BLFAC scholarship auditions will be held on Friday, March 6^th during periods, 5B, 6, 7, 8 and for a short time after school.  If you are interested in playing or singing a short audition for the BLFAC rep, please express your interest on a sign-up sheet in the Fine Arts Office (room 131).  Please see Mrs. DePeder or your music teacher to sign up for a time. 

What should you be prepared to play or sing in your audition?  Plan to perform 2-3 min of music that you have been working on with a private music teacher, or in class.  This could be an etude, a solo, or a piece of literature that you have really enjoyed playing.  Pick something that shows off your abilities!

The Blue Lake representative will share some basic information with your child to bring home to you.  In the meantime, you are encouraged to check out Blue Lake’s website at www.bluelake.org.  

Many DGN musicians have received significant scholarships to attend Blue Lake as a result of these mini-auditions.  Please consider this fabulous opportunity!

Bill Ludwig III Visits DGN

Mr. William Ludwig III visited DGN Fine Arts today to make a special "History of Percussion" presentation to our North High percussion students.  

Founded in 1909 and known the world over for their contributions to percussion, the Ludwig family has manufactured drums that have been used by millions of percussionists around the globe.  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ludwig_Drums

Mr. Ludwig is a graduate of Downers Grove North High School, having played in the DGN Bands under the direction of Mr. Lance Schulz.  His daughter is currently a student at North High, and sings in the DGN Choirs. 

Mr. Ludwig's new snare drum was unveiled last May: http://www.moderndrummer.com/site/2014/07/introducing-wfl-lll-drums-usa/

Thank you, Mr. Ludwig, for sharing your wealth of percussion knowledge with our students today!