DGN & DGS Jazzers Join Forces at Bonfield Express

An incredibly talented "mega jazz combo" made up of ten District 99 instrumentalists performed this morning at the Bonfield Express 5K in downtown Downers Grove. A record breaking field of over 5,100 runners/walkers enjoyed the fabulous sounds of North & South High musicians as they crossed the finish line.

Way to go Mustangs & Trojans!

DGN Jazz Opens For Pete Ellman Big Band

Congrats to the DGN Jazz Ensemble for a fabulous performance in Naperville tonight. Opening for the Pete Ellman Big Band, the Jazz Ensemble wowed listeners with an exciting 50 minute set.

The Other Guys!

Student musicians at North High School were treated to performances today by the amazing A Cappella vocal ensemble TheOther Guys from the University of Illinois.  The ensemble is known for their musical artistry and their diverse performance repertoire.  Featured with the ensemble today was John Junk, South High School Class of 2011.  We were proud to see and host a District 99 alumnus as we enjoyed the sounds of this nationally renowned vocal group.

IMEA Festival Concert Impressive!

The IMEA District 1 Orchestra, Choir, and Band demonstrated remarkable
musicianship and outstanding artistry in front of a capacity audience
at Downers Grove South High School this afternoon.

Congratulations to all of our North High musicians who performed so
beautifully today!

IMEA District Music Festival Underway

Select DGN student musicians are working at Downers Grove South today as members of the IMEA District I Honors Ensembles. 

More than 700 students from over 100 high schools in the Chicagoland area are rehearsing with guest conductors and will present performances at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Congratulations to our Trojan musicians who have been selected for this prestigious honor.

DGN Jazz & Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra

Today the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, and the Lyons Township High School Jazz Ensemble, spent an amazing afternoon and evening with members of the Smithsonian Jazz Masterworks Orchestra.  The clinics, sponsored by the College of DuPage, provided our students with incredible personal access to many of the most talented and sought-after jazz artists in the nation.

North High should feel proud of the way in which our student musicians represented the DGN Fine Arts Department.  The members of the SJMO were highly complimentary of the musicianship demonstrated this afternoon in our exhibition performance.

Fall Band Concert

Congratulations to the members of the Jazz Lab Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Percussion Ensemble on a great concert this evening!

Backstage at the DGN Fall Band Invitational

Congrats to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, DGN Wind Ensemble, Jefferson Junior High Symphonic Winds, and the Westview Hills Middle School Band for amazing performances tonight! Each band offered the audience a musical performance filled with great variety and artistry.

IMEA District Jazz Fest Today!

Select DGN jazz musicians are immersed in a terrific day of jazz music at the IMEA District 1 Jazz Festival. Our eight honored students, selected through competitive audition, are enjoying a day of learning with some of the most respected music educators in the nation.

If you are looking for a great jazz concert today, head down to Rich South High School. The bands start swingin' at 3:00 pm!

Location:Meadow Lake Dr,Richton Park,United States

Veterans Day Assembly

This morning students, faculty, staff, and hundreds of community members gathered to honor American servicemen and servicewomen who have served our country in the United States Armed Forces.

Congratulations and thank you to the men of our Choral Program, as well as the members of our Wind Ensemble, for providing a significant and meaningful musical contribution to this morning's program. Well done!

DGN Musicians Support Cancer Research

Congratulations to the DGN student musicians (and their families) that raised over $10,000 this past week for St. Baldricks and LUNGevity!! We are very proud of, and humbled by, the generosity of the DGN community. Way to go Trojans!

DGN Music Students Raise Money for Cancer Research

Music students at DGN have been working hard over the past week to raise funds for two worthy philanthropic organizations that support cancer research: St. Baldrick's, and LUNGevity.  

This morning, in Naperville, a team of DGN Band students participated in a 'walk' to raise money for LUNGevity.  As of this last night, nearly $4,000.00 had been raised by the student-organized "Band Geeks Unite"team.

Through online pledges and in-class donations, the DGN Band has raised over $5,000 for the St. Baldrick's 'shave' that is to take place this coming Tuesday.  

Contributions are continuing to come in, and it is expected that DGN music families will have raised over $10,000.00 within the next several days.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has participated in support of this worthy cause!

DGN Alumnus Muriel Anderson

Today North High was pleased to welcome alumnus and guitar virtuoso, Ms. Muriel Anderson, back to campus. Ms. Anderson presented this morning to our Guitar class, and will return to the area in November for her annual "Welcome Home" concert.

Trojan Marching Band Class of 2012

This evening marked the final football season performance of the 2011-2012 Trojan Marching Band. Congratulations and thank you to the Class of 2012 for your dedication, passion, and musical excellence. You have all had a significant and meaningful impact on the legacy of our program, and you will be missed!

Marching Band Showcases Musical Excellence

Congratulations to the 185 member Trojan Marching Band on a FANTASTIC Band O Rama concert! The band 'wowed' the audience with their musicianship and spirit as they performed nearly 30 pieces of music in just under one hour.




The 2011 Trojan Marching Band upheld a tradition of excellence that has become the hallmark of the band program at DGN. Well done Trojan Marching Band!

Band O Rama Tonight!!

Don't miss the color, pageantry, and sounds of Band O Rama 2011! Thursday night - 7 pm - Johnson Auditorium. Come catch the Trojan Band, and enjoy the sounds of the 2011 football season!

DGN Congratulates Thirty-Nine All-District Musicians!

Thirty-nine student musicians from Downers Grove North High School were selected, by competitive audition, to the 2011 Illinois Music Educators Association District Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band.  Auditions were held on Tuesday, October 11, at Carl Sandburg High School.  The top placing scores were selected for participation in the District Music Festivals, to be held during the month of November.

“Selection to the IMEA All-District ensembles is a big honor for a high school musician,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson.  “Our faculty is excited for these students who will now have the opportunity to collaborate with the most outstanding musicians in our region.  We are looking forward to hearing great performances at the District Music Festival next month.”

DGN  BAND  STUDENTS
Shauna Bracken (12) Trumpet (Band)

Shauna Bracken (12) Trumpet (Jazz)

Augustine Calvino (11) Alto Sax (Jazz)

Sebastian Calvino (10) Trombone (Jazz)

Tommy Donnelly (10) Trumpet (Jazz)

Faisal Khurshid (12) Percussion (Band)

Anna Krainc (12) Clarinet (Orchestra)

Robby Kulik (10) Drums (Jazz)

Brett Latman (11) Trumpet (Band)

Brett Latman (11) Trumpet (Jazz)

Sam O’Neil (11) Trumpet (Jazz)

Spencer Schillerstrom (10) Tenor Sax (Jazz)

Stephen Shatzer (12) Bassoon (Orchestra)

Jonathan Sheetz (12) Bass Clarinet (Band)

Andrea Vetrone (12) French Horn (Band)

DGN  CHOIR  STUDENTS
Samantha Barry (12) Alto II

Devin Collett (12) Soprano I

Anthony Digiulio (12) Bass II  
Madelaine Isobal (11) Alto II

Frannie Jones (12) Alto I

Anna Krainc (12) Alto II

Patrick Murray (10) Tenor I

Kate Weyers (11) Alto I

Eareen Yambao (12) Tenor II

DGN  ORCHESTRA  STUDENTS
Emma Burkhardt (11) Viola

Tristan Burnham (11) Violin

Anthony Depaz (11) Violin

Jimmy Izewski (11) Double Bass

Allison Kirkegaard (9) Cello

Mantas Kisielius (10) Violin

Lauren Kovanko (12) Viola

Katie Krainc (11) Violin
Meghan Lyda (12) Cello
Alana Osterling (11) Cello

Nicole Pearson (10) Viola

Rachel Pfeifer (9) Cello

Katie Portman (10) Violin
Sarah Williams (10) Viola
Hannah Young (12) Harp

District 99 Orchestra Fall Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Orchestra - and the Herrick Middle School Orchestra - for their terrific performances at tonight's Fall Orchestra Concert. Each ensemble played with outstanding musicianship and provided the audience with a fabulous evening of entertainment.

D99 Orchestra Concert Tuesday Night!

Members of the D99 Concert Orchestra are on stage this morning preparing for tomorrow night's big concert. Come out to support all the DGN and DGS string students, as well as the Herrick Middle School Orchestra. The concert begins at 7 pm, Tuesday night, in the North High Johnson Auditorium. Admission is free!

Community Service

Tonight DGN Band member Brett Latman played 'Taps' and the 'Star Spangled Banner' at Trinity Lutheran Church in Lisle as a part of the the Firefighters Silent Parade and Memorial Service. Thanks Brett for your volunteer service to the community!

Fall Choir Concert

Congratulations to the DGN Choirs for a fantastic fall concert! Each
choir and select ensemble performed with great musicianship this
evening. Kudos to all!

Barrage!

Performing before a capacity crowd in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School in Downers Grove, the District 99 Orchestra played Chopsticken with the internationally acclaimed ensemble Barrage. Members of Barrage commented multiple times during the course of the evening about the high caliber of the string program in District 99 and about how well the student musicians were prepared for the performance. The student musicians not only played their instruments at a high level, they also performed the music in a professional manner. Great work tonight orchestra - we're proud of all of you for this outstanding performance!

Additional 'kudos' to the string players from District 58 who also shared the stage with Barrage this evening. Led by Ms. Rose, Ms. Eakley and Ms. Martin, these outstanding young musicians were extremely well prepared and "wowed" the crowd with their performance tonight. The string program's sonic future is exceedingly brightly in District 99. A huge "shout-out" to every District 58 string musician that participated in the performance this evening.

A special thank you to District 99 Orchestra Director, Ms. Jennifer Mullen, for her tireless work in putting tonight's concert together for our community.

District 99 Orchestra & Barrage 2011