2009 Graduation Concert

Congratulations to the members of the A Cappella Choir and the Wind Ensemble for a wonderful 'Graduation Concert.' Both ensembles performed beautifully and treated the audience to incredible musicianship. A special thanks to the Class of 2009!

The 28th Annual Congressional Art Competition – “An Artistic Discovery”

Initiated by Members of the U. S. House of Representatives in 1982, this event is a nationwide art competition that allows high school students from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic ability. The winning piece from each congressional district is displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

The 13^th District show is sponsored by Congresswoman Judy Biggert, a member of the Education and Labor; Financial Services; and Science and Technology Committees.

This year, Downers Grove North High School students were honored with all three top awards:

Senior Stephanie Koblich received 3^rd prize for her drawing “The Siege”. This piece will hang in Congresswoman Biggert’s Willowbrook office during the next year.

Sophmore Elizabeth Havenga received 2^nd prize for her watercolor painting “Nina’s Legacy”. Her artwork will hang in Congresswoman Biggert’s Washington D.C. office during the next year.

Senior Dave Schmitt received 1^st prize for his digital photography collage “Urban Border”. Southwest Airlines will provide David with three complementary round trip tickets to Washington D.C. for the award ceremony. Dave’s photo will hang in the U.S. Capitol, with the other district winners, during the next year. This same photo graces the cover of this year's Northwind literary magazine.

All work is currently on display at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 West Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL.

A closing reception will be held Sunday, May 24^th, at 2:00 p.m.

Congratulations to our North High Artists, and their teachers, for this incredible success!

Senior Art Exhibition

The Fine Arts Department is pleased to recognize our most dedicated senior artists in a special exhibition that features outstanding portfolios. Visually stunning two and three dimensional works are currently on display in the Main Street Lobby of North High. Many of these works received Scholastic Art recognition/awards this year, or were a part of AP Portfolios. Congratulations Class of 2009!

District 99 Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Concert Orchestra, the District 99 Symphonic Orchestra, Mrs. Branch and Ms. Mullen for a tremendous musical performance on Monday evening. Both orchestras played with energy and passion.

A special thank you to the seniors who were playing their final concert with the orchestras, and to Mrs. Branch, for her years of service to District 99.

Band Awards Banquet

Over 400 students and family members enjoyed a memorable evening at the historic Willowbrook Ballroom on Saturday evening, as DGN Bands celebrated another successful year.















Members of the student Band Board pose for a picture on Saturday afternoon in he midst of decorating the hall.














Mr. Miller, and his daughter, warm up the dance floor just before guests begin arriving.















The senior 'mock awards' are presented to the Class of 2009.

Orchestra Banquet & Upcoming Concert

The District 99 Orchestra celebrated another successful year of music making last Friday night at the annual Orchestra Banquet. Students in all grade levels were recognized for their musical accomplishments. The students, as well as the DGS Friends of Fine Arts and the DGN Music Boosters presented Mrs. Branch with special gifts and remembrances to commemorate her time here in District 99.

The final D99 Orchestra concert of the year will be performed in the South High Auditorium this coming Monday evening, May 18, at 7:00 PM.

A Night At The Oscars

Congratulations to the students of the North High Choirs for a tremendous 2009 DGN Choral Showcase. The Freshman Choir, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Freshman Ensemble, Concert Singers and Treble Ensemble were all featured in a production that spanned many decades of Oscar nominated and Oscar winning songs from the motion picture industry.

May Band Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, DGN Symphonic Band, and senior soloist Jesse Backes, for a terrific concert this evening.


















Earlier this morning students rehearse with harpist Hannah Young.
























This evening timpanist Emily Mitchka contributes to the ensemble's powerful sound.

Fremd 4x5 Show - 1st place to DGN!

Congratulations to DGN visual artist Jackie Maish, for her 1st Place Relief in the Fremd High School 4x5 Art Show. Jackie's work, Etched Copper/Tube Rivets, is an exquisite example of the terrific work our students produce each semester.

Congratulations to all six DGN artists who received recognition in this year's Fremd show.

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH AWARD WINNERS:

RELIEF CATEGORY
1^st Prize Jackie Maish

DRAWING CATEGORY
3^rd Prize: Stephanie Koblich

Honorable Mention: Bernadette Calvino & Sarah Ghanayem




COMPUTER ART CATEGORY
Honorable Mention: Fran Vernaschi


PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY
Honorable Mention: Dave Schmitt

2009 Spring Art Show Opening

Congratulations to the student artists who have work on display in the 2009 North High Spring Art Show. The show opened this evening, and runs through Friday, May 8.

Flower Sale 2009

Many thanks are extended to the DGN Music Boosters for their incredible work on the 2009 Flower Sale. Thousands or dollars were raised to support the arts in our community.

Thank you to the students and parents who arrived at 6 AM this morning to help unload the truck and prepare orders for pick up.




And a very special thank you to Laura and Dan Cozza who have co-chaired our Flower Sale for many years. We will miss you next year! (Pictured with John and Marianne Moscato, Music Booster President.)

Northshore Concert Band performs in District 99

The world-renown Northshore Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Mallory Thompson, performed a concert this afternoon in the DGS Auditorium. The concert, made possible through various educational grants, was free and open to the general public. Twelve student musicians, representing Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Herrick Middle School and O'Neil Middle School, joined the NSCB on stage for the final two selections.

Congratulations to all of our DGN students who participated!

DGN Chamber Choir sings @ U.S. Cellular Field

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Chamber Choir, and Dr. Frank Piekarz, for their very musical and professional performance of the Canadian and United States national anthems.

Choir students arrived at the park by bus at 5:30 PM and moved to the staging area behind the first-base line. Entering the field at 6:40 PM, manager Ozzie Guillén greeted the choir and posed for pictures (including this lighter moment).

Both anthems were performed with exquisite musicianship. However, after the game, choir members speculated that their performance of the Canadian athem was just a little "too good," as it inspired the Blue Jays to a 14-0 win over our Chicago White Sox. "I think the Jays are likely to take a recording of our version on the road with them the rest of the season," said Dr. Piekarz on the bus ride home.

Chamber Choir sings National Anthems for the Chicago White Sox - April 24, 2009

Click here for enlarged screen viewing.

What's that sound? DGN Fine Arts on Twitter ...

Are you 'Tweeting?' Want quick updates about what DGN Fine Arts students and faculty are up to? It's easy! Become a "Follower" of DGNFineArts via Twitter, and we'll occasionally chirp in your direction.

Twitter handle = DGNFineArts

Click Here for the RSS feed of our Twitter page.

Chamber Choir to sing for White Sox this Friday

The North High Fine Arts Department is proud to announce that the 2008-09 DGN Chamber Choir has been honored with an invitation to perform the national anthems of the United States of America, and Canada, at U.S. Cellular Field. The Choir will perform both anthems just prior to the first pitch of the Chicago White Sox vs. Toronto Blue Jays this coming Friday, April 24th.

Catch all the game action on Comcast Sports Net-plus television, or on MLB.com.

Congratulations to Dr. Piekarz, Mrs. O'Riordan, and the students of the North High School Choirs for this honor.

Inaugural Woodridge/District 99 Art Show

The Inaugural Woodridge/District 99 Art Show opened on April 15 with a reception and awards ceremony held at the Woodridge Public Library. A special congratulations to all of the visual artists from North and South High School for their meaningful contributions to our artistic community!

Guest Artist - Russ Nolan

New York saxophonist Russ Nolan is on campus this week to work with DGN student musicians and perform on Tuesday night's "Sharing Is Caring" Jazz Concert. The concert, which begins at 7 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium, will feature DGN Percussion Ensembles, the Jazz Lab Band, and the Jazz Ensemble. Admission is free.

Rotary Scholarship - $2,000 for a D99 Music Student

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 scholarship to a deserving high school senior who lives in the District 99 attendance area. Charles Dickerman was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove. He was a nuclear engineer at Argonne National Laboratory who had an undergraduate degree in music. Charles stayed involved in music throughout his life and was an avid bagpiper.

This post-secondary scholarship is a $2,000 award. The scholarship will once again be offered through Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Benet Academy, Marmion Academy, Timothy Christian High School, Marquette Manor Baptist Academy, Montini High School and Nazereth Academy. The application can be downloaded here.

The emphasis for this scholarship is music. Candidates are required to have participated in curricular music activities in high school and/or extracurricular music activities. Composers and/or arrangers qualify for this scholarship. Pursuit of an undergraduate music major or minor is not required.

Criteria for the Music Scholarship

All applicants must have their forms postmarked by March 31st of this current calendar year in order to be considered. Please send forms to the following mailing address:

Rotary Club of Downers Grove
Attn: Music Scholarship
P.O. Box 256
Downers Grove, IL 60515

DGN Musicians find Solo & Ensemble Success

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 7, 2009.

Thirty-four events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division I rating of SUPERIOR. A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.” In addition, thirty-six events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division II rating of OUTSTANDING. A Division II score is categorized as “An excellent performance – only minor defects.”

“Preparing for a Solo and Ensemble contest is a great opportunity for our students to express their individualism as soloists and to develop team-work skills with small ensembles,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High. “We’re very proud of all our students who entered the state contest this year. They did a terrific job representing North High with their musicianship.”

Two North High events received “Best of Day” Awards. Clarinet soloist John O’Hara, as well as ensemble members Marie Kirkegaard (clarinet), Kirsten Keller (flute) and Kevin Gupana (oboe) were recognized by judges to be the most outstanding performers of the day in their performance venues.


The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating.


Solos

• Erick Burkiewicz (Marimba)
• Chloe Burnham (Violin)
• Tom Cannan (Vocal)
• Carrah Demos (Vocal)
• Faith Enenbach (Violin)
• Kevin Gupana (Oboe)
• Michelle Hsu (Marimba)
• Faisal Khurshid (Snare Drum)
• Lauren Kovanko (Viola)
• Andrew Kuikman (Multiple Percussion)
• Kristen Lemke (Vocal)
• Colin Ludlow (Vocal)
• Meghan Lyda (Cello)
• John O’Hara (Clarinet) * Best of Day Award
• Jon Parthun (Marimba)
• Madeline Poortinga (Violin)
• Rudy Rendek (Violin)
• Nick Rudy (Cello)
• Emma Sassano (Marimba)
• Hannah Shatzer (Oboe)
• Caroline Sterr (Vocal)
• Isaac Stevenson (Marimba)
• Isaac Stevenson (Snare Drum)
• James Tandaric (Violin)
• Mike Walser (Alto Saxophone)
• Hannah Young (Harp)
• Ayden Zarkhah (Violin)

Ensembles

• Clarinet Ensemble: Kurt Meyer, John O’Hara
• Keyboard Percussion Ensemble: Emma Sassano, Jordan Depeder, Derek Mitchell, Rachel Greenwood
• Membrane Percussion Ensemble: Faisal Khurshid, PJ O’Hara
• Mixed Wind Ensemble: Marie Kirkegaard, Kirsten Keller, Kevin Gupana * Best of Day Award
• String Ensemble: Meghan Lyda, Lauren Kovanko
• String Ensemble: Meghan Lyda, Hannah Young
• String Ensemble: Madeline Poortinga, Kelsey Draeger

District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

Congratulations to the students and faculty of the North and South High School choral programs for wonderful performances at the 2009 Vocal Honors Recital.

Winter Guard finds success at State!

Congratulations to the North High Winter Guard for their outstanding performance this weekend at the Team Dance Illinois State Competition. The team traveled to Peoria and placed 4th in the Varsity Lyrical Flag category, scoring over 90 points. This is the highest score our team has ever received at the state competition. Congratulations to all the members of the team (below), and coach Emily Rivera, for a tremendous season and this outstanding accomplishment.

Kaitlin Sheber

Marilyn Lauterbach

Anita Pattanayak

Amy Moscato

Lauren Weisner

Katie Kropp

Jennifer Poad

Nella Granback

Anna Kowalewicz

Nick Toland

Music Students Complete Successful Tour

Congratulations to the 255 music students from the DGN Band, DGN Choir, and D99 Orchestra who recently completed a very successful music tour to Florida.

Click here to see performance videos and images from the tour.

Elmhurst Art Museum Senior Portfolio Show

Congratulations to the following DGN Visual Art Students for their recent recognition from the Elmhurst Art Museum.

Erin Agnoli -- Photography
Kathryn Butler -- Drawing
Colleen Malec -- Computer Art

The opening reception and Best of Show awards will be announced on April 4th at 1:00 p.m.

Scholastic Art Awards - 98 Awards for DGN

Student artists from Downers Grove North High School received regional visual art recognition through The 2009 Scholastic Art Awards. In all, North High visual artists garnered 98 awards in the juried exhibition.

Now in its 86^th year, the Scholastic Art Awards is a national competition devoted to recognizing outstanding art and writing created by middle school and high school students.

The competition begins with regional adjudications across the country. Our 2009 regional show, sponsored by District 99, received 1251 entries from 18 local high schools, as well as entries from 2 middle schools competing in a separate age category.

The 1251 high school entries were vying for 629 awards:

• 21 combined Art & Photography Portfolio Gold Key awards
• 144 Gold Key awards for individual works
• 242 Silver Key awards
• 243 Honorable Mention awards
• 5 American Vision Awards for Best in Show

All award winners had their work on display at Downers Grove North High School. At the close of the show, all individual Gold Key and Gold Key Portfolio winners have their work shipped to New York City for the national adjudication. Last year, 77,000 students submitted approximately 100,000 works for regional review. Over 10,000 Gold Key recipients moved on to the national judging, where more than 1200 received awards. This year has seen a record number of submissions that will increase this total once the final tally has been taken.

Downers Grove North High School was honored with another outstanding performance at this year’s regional show.

• 36 Honorable Mention commendations.
• 36 Silver Key honors
• 25 Gold Key awards
• 1 American Vision award

The following list are the DGN winners by category and award:

• American Vision Award (Five pieces are selected as the Best in Show) -- Kathryn Butler Computer Art
• Gold Art Portfolios: Ben Campo, Kathryn Butler, Stephanie Koblich, Colleen Malec, Dave Schmitt
• Gold Photo Portfolios: Erin Agnoli, Ryan O'Connor
• Gold Ceramics: Ben Campo, Loni Westman
• Gold Jewelry: Michelle Sheldon
• Gold Photography: Erin Agnoli, Loni Westman, Marty Zajac
• Gold Drawing: Liz Havenga, Sabreena Damra, Kathryn Butler(2)
• Gold Computer Art: Padraic O'Connor(2), Colleen Malec, Kathryn Butler
• Gold Graphic Design: Stephanie Koblich(2), Dave Schmitt
• Gold Digital Photo: Katie Earl
• Silver Ceramics: Alexandra Holland, Victoria Jacobson, Stephanie Koblich, Jamie Mehok, Jori Skutas
• Silver Jewelry: Matthew Braun, Sabreena Damra, Nicole Irwin, Hannah Witkus, Sarah Zawlocki
• Silver Photography: Erin Agnoli, Christy Kay, Kate Vogel, Loni Westman
• Silver Drawing: Kathryn Butler(4), Stephanie Koblich, Ellen McCammon, Kevin Pechnick, Maira Stukas
• Silver Computer Art: Colleen Malec (2), Kevin Pechnick, Dave Schmitt (2)
• Silver Graphic Design: Stephanie Koblich, Dave Schmitt, Fran Vernaschi
• Silver Mixed Media: Kelly Parish
• Silver Digital Photo: Katie Earl, Ryan O’Connor
• Silver Painting: Ellen McCammon
• Honorable Mention Ceramics: Elizabeth Colaizzi, Katie Connors, Sarah Desai, Victoria Jacobson, Jeremy Payne
• Honorable Mention Jewelry: Bryanna Blackburn, Nicole Irwin, Angie Suh, Hannah Witkus
• Honorable Mention Photography: Erin Agnoli (3) Jill Brunner, Joseph Corson, Katie Jameson, Rachel Swirsky, Marty Zajac
• Honorable Mention Drawing: Kathryn Butler, Stephanie Koblich (3), Nick Rudy
• Honorable Mention Computer Art: Colleen Malec (4), Colleen Ryan
• Honorable Mention Graphic Design: Stephanie Koblich(2), Dave Schmitt
• Honorable Mention Digital Photo: Ryan O’Connor (3)
• Honorable Mention Sculpture: Loni Westman

CSD99 Hosts the Scholastic Art Awards

Congratulations to all of the Visual Art Faculty in District 99 for their support of the 2009 Scholastic Art Awards!

NIU Jazz Ensemble Swings in District 99

The Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble visited North High today to present a series of music clinics which culminated in an evening concert that featured New York trumpet legend Lew Soloff.

Congratulations to the members of the North High Jazz Lab Band, South High Jazz Lab Band, North High Jazz Ensemble, and South High Jazz Ensemble for wonderful performances tonight.

Doane College Band visits DGN

The Doane College Band, under the direction of Dr. Jay Gilbert, visited District 99 last week to share their music. Pictured here, the band performs with the North High Wind Ensemble in a 6th Period Exchange Concert.

They're Playing Peoria!

North High School 'All-State Musicians are heading to Peoria, IL to participate in the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Music Festival this week. Congratulations, and good luck!

DGN Jazz Bands find success at Purdue University

Members of the Downers Grove North High School Jazz Bands took their show on the road this past weekend, participating in the 19th Annual Purdue University Jazz Festival. The Purdue festival, which draws outstanding high school jazz programs from Indiana, Michigan and Illinois, began on Friday, January 16 with a concert featuring the Mingus Big Band and continued all day Saturday, January 17 with hundreds of student musicians performing for panels of internationally recognized jazz musicians.

Each of the three jazz ensembles from DGN, the Jazz Ensemble, the Jazz Lab Band, and the Jazz Combo, received Division I recognition in their respective classes. Additionally, the following students were recognized with Outstanding Soloist and Musicianship awards:

• Shauna Bracken, trumpet
• Joseph Butler, trombone
• Nicholas Georgen, drums
• Jonathan Parthun, drums
• Michael Pool, guitar
• Rudy Rendek, bass
• Nolan Schillerstrom, guitar
• Bryn Sitkiewicz, trombone
• Emily Temple-Wood, piano

Late Start: Revised Schedule for Purdue Jazz Festival and Honors Juries

Juries for the Honors Program (choral and orchestral) will take place tomorrow, delayed by 2 hours.

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Due to the delayed opening of school tomorrow, jazz students should please note the following changes:

9 AM - Combo rehearsal - 138

9:30 AM - Students drop off luggage - 137

10 AM - Period 1 Final

11:45 - Period 4 Final

1:15 PM - Finals end

1:30 - JE and JLB rehearsals (run throughs) - 138 & 142

2:00 PM - Load Bus

ASAP after 2 PM - Departure. We will not meet up with the DGS bus, but rather drive directly to Purdue and meet our DGS colleagues there.

6 PM EST - Check in to rooms and immediately return to lobby for dinner departure.

6:45 PM - Dinner

7:45 - Move to concert

8 PM - Concert

DGN welcomes Scott Ney

Mr. Scott Ney, Professor of Percussion at the University of New Mexico presented a series of percussion master classes and private lessons on Thursday, January 8th. Thank you Prof. Ney for being with us, and sharing your passion for music!

Jazz Cafe - A Big Snowy Success!

The 2009 Jazz Cafe, with special guest Mr. Tony Kidonakis, featured the Jefferson Junior High, Herrick Middle, and Downers Grove North High School Jazz Bands. A large crowd packed the DGN Student Cafe, on a snowy Friday night, for a great evening of music.

The "Jazz Cafes" are an annual January series hosted by District 99, and consist of one concert at North High School, and one concert at South High School. Working collaboratively, the Fine Arts Departments at both schools work toward a philanthropic goal by selecting a charity for in-kind donations. The 2009 charity is Potters for Peace (www.pottersforpeace.org). With a mission to bring clean drinking water to impoverished children, Potters for Peace teaches communities in South America the fabrication of a low-cost ceramic water purification system. As a part of this year's Jazz Cafe, visual art students from District 99 donated ceramic bowls for a silent auction which generated hundreds of dollars for the cause.


HD Videos Clips:

• Rock House
• Eleanor Rigby
• Everyday I Have The Blues

Music Tour Blog Launch

The Blog for the 2009 Music Tour has been launched, and may be accessed here.

Images from the 2008 Mosaic Art Show

Images from the 2008 Holiday Mosaic

DGN gears up for 12th annual Holiday Mosaic

Students and faculty have been working tirelessly to prepare for the 2008 Holiday Mosaic, the 12th annual combination of music and visual art during the holidays.

Concerts are tonight at 5:30 and 8:00 PM. Our Art Show reception is Wednesday evening at 6:00 PM.

Concert Singers Perform for Santa

Members of the North High Concert Singers treated many to beautiful sounds of the holidays at the 2008 "Breakfast with Santa," hosted by Good Samaritan Hospital. Thank you to our singers for getting up early on a cold & snowy December morning to bring joy to the hearts of many young children.

Congratulations All-State Musicians!

Fifteen student musicians from Downers Grove North High School have been tapped by the Illinois Music Educator’s Association for All-State recognition. Auditions were held last October.

“We are really thrilled for these students and their families,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High. “Many people helped these students achieve this success, beginning with their very first elementary school music teachers and extending to their private-lessons teachers today. North High is very proud to have these incredible musicians representing District 99 at the All-State level.”

In total, twenty-six student musicians were selected for All-State from Community High School District 99.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 28-31, 2009. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 30, and the afternoon of January 31, 2009.

All-State Band

Jesse Backes – Orchestral Percussion (Senior)

Emily Daugherty – Flute (Junior)

Kurt Meyer – Clarinet (Senior)

John O’Hara – Clarinet (Senior)

Jennifer Poad – Bass Clarinet (Junior)

All-State Choir

Tom Cannan – Tenor (Junior)

Jane Duffy – Alto (Senior)

Matthew Hall – Tenor (Senior)

All-State Orchestra

Chloe Burnham – Violin (Junior)

Faith Enenbach – Violin (Junior)

Alyssa Love – Violin (Senior)

Colette Mondragon – Violin (Junior)

Rudy Rendek – Violin (Senior)

Nick Rudy – Cello (Senior)

All-State Music Composition

Kyle Stephens – Jazz Composition (Graduate)