All Staters Depart For Peoria

Eight DGN musicians departed this afternoon for the 2012 Illinois
Music Education Conference in Peoria, IL.

Congratulations to Caitlin Doak, Anna Kranic, Megan Lyda, Alana
Osterling, Jonathan Sheetz, Spencer Schillerstrom, Eareen Yambao, and
Hannah Young who have been selected for this prestigious musical
honor.

DGN Jazz Earns Accolades at Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulations to both the DGN Jazz Ensemble and the DGN Jazz Lab Band for earning Division 1 ratings at the 2012 Purdue Jazz Festival.

In addition to the ensemble awards, the following students were recognized with individual Solo Awards for their outstanding individual improvisation performances:

Shauna Bracken
Matt Butzen
Augustine Calvino
Rachel Cliva
Darius Daugvila
Charlie Dawes
Zach Foster
Justine Hung
Anthony Iacovetti
Brett Latman
John McGarry
PJ O'Hara
Sam O'Neil
Jon Poortinga
Clayton Possidoni
Spencer Schillerstrom (2 awards)
Thomas Svoboda

Safe & Sound at Purdue University

The DGN Jazz Ensemble & Lab Band are in West Lafayette, IN tonight as the 2012 Purdue University Jazz Festival kicks off a weekend of great music making opportunities.

2012 North High Choral Festival

Today DGN welcomed dozens of choral students from Herrick Middle School, Jefferson Junior High School, and Westview Hills Middle School to the 2012 North High Choral Festival.

Congratulations to all of the singers - as well as their dedicated music teachers - for a great afternoon of workshops and for sharing their musicianship with the community!

Let's Get It Started: Pep Band 2012

Coach Colby

Tenor Sax great Mark Colby was on campus today to work with the DGN Cannonball Combo in preparation for a performance this coming February at the College of DuPage.

Jazz @ Caribou

The DGN "Cannonball" and "Dizzy" Jazz Combos recently performed at the Downers Grove Main Street Caribou Coffee, and were joined by a number of DGN jazz alumni who were back in town for the winter break.

19th Annual Jazz Cafe Features Dozens of Musicians and Draws Large Audience

Congratulations to the students of the Herrick Middle School Jazz Band, Jefferson Junior High School "Friends of Jazz", and the DGN jazz program for spirited and exciting performances at the 2012 Jazz Cafe.

Bill Byan - Jazz Cafe Tomorrow Night!

DGN Bands are pleased to welcome professional drummer Bill Byan to
North High this week. Mr. Byan will be performing as a soloist with
the Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band at tomorrow night's 19th annual
Jazz Cafe charity benefit concert.

Swing by the DGN Cafe Friday night between 6 and 8:30 pm to hear great
jazz and support this year's charity, LUNGevity.

Tuba Christmas in Chicago

At least six District 99 low brass musicians attended and performed in the 2011 Tuba Christmas held at the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago. Hundreds of tuba and euphonium players gather here annually to produce some of the most unique and memorable Christmas carols you've ever heard!



Pictured from left to right: Joe Vitti, Marjorie Fera, Alexis Nystedt, and Adam Mills. Not pictured, but performing, were Martin Milan and Ben Casey.

DGN & DGS Student Musicians at 65th Annual Midwest Clinic

The 65th Midwest Clinic (formerly known as the 'Midwest-International Band & Orchestra Clinic') is being held this week in Chicago, IL.  It is the largest annual gathering of music teachers, performers. and music industry personnel in the world.  Attended by nearly 16,000 from all 50 states and 30 countries internationally, the concert features nearly 30 concerts and 90 clinic sessions.

Congratulations to DGN Orchestra student Hannah Young (Harp), DGS Orchestra student Andrew Molina (Cello), and the members of the DGS Jazz Ensemble, who all performed today at the convention.  The North High Fine Arts Department salutes all of you for your outstanding musicianship!

Chamber Choir Brings Holiday Cheer

Many thanks to the DGN Chamber Choir for their enjoyable caroling at
the Parent's Club Holiday Tea.

Arizona State University Jazz All-Stars Visit Campus

Today DGN played host to nine Jazz Performance majors from Arizona State University, who performed for both the Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble classes.  These emerging jazz performers are in Chicago this weekend opening for the famed Benny Golson Quartet at the Jazz Showcase.

Joining the Benny Golson quartet at the Jazz Showcase is internationally renown jazz pianist Michael Kocour, who also serves as an Associate Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at Arizona State University.

Three members of the DGN 'Cannonball' Jazz Combo (Spencer Schillerstrom, Tenor Sax - Brett Latman, Trumpet - and Sebastian Calvino, Trombone) were afforded the opportunity to join the ASU Combo, and Michael Kocour in an impromptu blues.

Thanks to ASU Jazz All Stars, and Professor Kocour, for your inspired playing - creative original compositions - and mentoring.  We wish you the very best at the Jazz Showcase this weekend.

DGN jazz students and families interested in seeing Michael Kocour with the legendary tenor saxophonist Benny Golson, are encouraged to attend the Sunday Matinee (4 pm) at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago.  It is an 'all ages' show, and convenient parking is only $5 for Jazz Showcase patrons.

Images from the Holiday Mosaic Art Show (2011)

Mosaic's Visual Landscape

DGN Musicians were showcased this morning during back-to-back school assembly programs.  Like last night, the student musicians performed with great artistry.  

An important element of the Holiday Mosaic at North High is the lighting design.  This year's visual landscape was created by junior Mantas Naris.  Congratulations, Mantas, on creating an engaging and captivating environment for musicians and audience members alike.  

Click on the image above for a better look at Mantas' design work during the Jazz Ensemble's performance of 'Dance of the Sugar Rum Cherry.'

Images from the Holiday Mosaic Concert (2011)

Mosaic Concert Patrons Will Be First To Enjoy Updated Lobby

Patrons attending tonight's Mosaic Concerts will be among the first to enjoy a new exhibition of DGN student artwork. Large posters, paying tribute to past theatre, music and dance productions, now adorn the walls of the Clarence Johnson Auditorium Lobby at North High.

Thank you to Mr. Kasik, Mr. Kolodziej, Mr. Hiscock, Mr. McClean, Mr. Voelker, Ms. Kelly, Mr. Pappageorge, Ms. Smycz, Mr. Miller, and Ms. Fredette, all who played a role in bringing this vision forward.

Holiday Mosaic Concerts & Art Show This Week!

It's beginning to look a lot like the Holiday Mosaic at DGN!

Don't miss these seasonal gems:

Mosaic Concert (two shows):

Tuesday, December 6th @ 5:30 or 8:00 pm.


Mosaic Art Show Opening Reception & Awards:

Wednesday, December 7th from 6:00 - 7:30 pm.





A saxophone quartet practices Monday morning for their performance of the traditional holiday carol "Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella."





Two and three dimensional visual artwork will be on display this week in the Main Street Lobby of North High as a part of DGN's Holiday Mosaic.

Alumnus Nominated for Grammy

Congratulations to DGN Alumnus Matthew West for the 2011 Grammy Nomination of his song STRONG ENOUGH.  (Click here for the music video.)

Check out Matthew West's latest music, and his 'The Heart of Christmas' tour on his website.

North High Musicians Selected for IMEA All-State Honors

Seven student musicians from Downers Grove North High School were selected by competitive audition to the 2011-2012 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Composer Showcase, and ‘Future Music Educators Symposium’. Performance auditions were held last October at Carl Sandburg High School; musical compositions were evaluated by professional musicians and composers from across the country.

“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.”

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 26-28, 2012.  Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 27, and the afternoon of January 28, 2012.

All-State Band

Anna Krainc - Clarinet (Senior)

Jonathan Sheetz - Bass Clarinet (Senior)

All-State Choir

Eareen Yambao - Tenor II (Senior)

All-State Orchestra

Meghan Lyda – Cello (Senior)

Alana Osterling – Cello (Junior)

All-State Music Composition

Spencer Schillerstrom – Jazz Improvisation/2^nd place (Sophomore)

Future Music Educators Symposium

Caitlin Doak (Senior)

Santa's Elves At Work!

North High Band, Choir and Orchestra students raised over $1,800 in
support of our school-wide "Giving Tree" program.

Thanks to all who contributed funds, shopped for presents, and wrapped gifts!

North High Theatre Program Play Selected for State Festival

The DGN Fine Arts Department congratulates the North High Theatre program for the recent selection of “Relative Strangers” to the Illinois High School State Theatre Festival in Bloomington, IL.  

This marks the first time a play from District 99 has been selected for performance at the state festival.  Congratulations to Student Director Sam Staley, as well as all of the actors and support personnel that produced this year’s Fall One-Acts, on a job well done!

Trojan Marching Band Plays The DG Gingerbread Festival Parade & Tree Lighting