Downers Grove North 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 2, 2013.

Fifty-one students from Downers Grove North High School earned fifty-six Division I ratings of SUPERIOR.  A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.”  In addition, thirty-seven students from Downers Grove North High School earned forty-three Division II ratings 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 student musicians received perfect scores at the State Contest.  Alison Elgass (Freshman Bass Clarinet) and Erin Elgass (Senior Alto Saxophone) both received perfect marks from the judges. 

Five North High events received a “Best of Day Award” for garnering the highest achievement score in their event room.  Vocalist Elizabeth Brunell, saxophonist Augustine Calvino, saxophonist Erin Elgass, vocalist Patrick Murray, and a cello quartet of Tim Edwards, Liam Morgan, Rachel Pfeifer, and Amelia Smerz were all 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:

Kevin Atwater – Clarinet

Adam Behnke – Flute

Alyse Bondarowicz – Flute

Jenny Book – Violin

Cameron Box – Violin

Elizabeth Brunell – Female Voice

Jim Burke – French Horn

Anna Burton – Female Voice (1) & Treble Ensemble (1)

Louie Buttny – Violin

Matt Butzen – Snare Drum

Emmy Cook – Female Voice

Augustine Calvino – Alto Saxophone

Allie Casey – Flute

Ben Casey – Tuba

Ben Cortez – Trumpet

Jeremy Craven – Trumpet

Evan Culligan – Alto Saxophone

Anthony DePaz – Violin

Tommy Donnelly – Trumpet

Tim Edwards – Cello (1) & String Ensemble (1)

Alison Elgass – Bass Clarinet (Perfect Score)

Erin Elgass – Alto Saxophone (Perfect Score)

Todd Griffin – Tuba

Emily Heppner – Violin

Megan Hung – Clarinet (1) & Piano (1)

Shatien Jordan – Violin

Annie Ketchmark – Female Voice

Allison Kirkegaard – Treble Ensemble

Kathryn Krainc – Violin

Heather Kwityn – Violin

Isabelle Larson – Violin

Brett Latman – Trumpet

Julija Lemenaite – Violin

Marissa Leo – Treble Ensemble

Michelle Libby – Harp

Monica Lim – Violin

Madi Lynch – Violin

Liam Morgan – Cello (1) & String Ensemble (1)

Patrick Murray – Male Voice

Amanda Nagy – Clarinet

Sam O’Neil – Trumpet

Rachel Pfeifer – Cello (1) & String Ensemble (1)

Nate Rapach – Trumpet

Lexi Robinson – Treble Ensemble

Marckus Simmons – Tympani

Andrew Slobidsky – Trombone

Amelia Smerz – Cello (1) & String Ensemble (1)

Evangeline Tuohy – Flute

Jennifer Vetrone – Trumpet

Sarah Williams – Viola 

The following North High Music Events received a “Division II—Excellent” rating:

Andrew Bender – Euphonium Ensemble

Lauren Birkmeier – Euphonium (1) & Euphonium Ensemble (1)

Jenny Book – String Ensemble

Cameron Box – Male Voice (1) & String Ensemble (1)

Emma Burkhardt – Viola

Jessica Chika – Flute

Kevin Chow – Cello

Gwen Cortez – Flute

Tim Edwards – String Ensemble

Sam Fiala – Trumpet

Sam Heppner – Trumpet

Justine Hung – Piano

Madelaine Isobal – Female Voice

Shatien Jordan – String Ensemble

Fiona Kelly – Violin

Annie Ketchmark – String Ensemble

Allison Kirkegaard – Cello (1) & Female Voice (1)

Mantas Kisielius – Violin

Katie Krainc – String Ensemble (2)

Alison LeBeda – Female Voice

Monica Lim – String Ensemble

Madi Lynch – String Ensemble

Ben McCrimmon – Male Voice

J.P. McDermott – Trumpet

John McGarry – Trombone

Adam Mills – Trombone

Matt Monk – Cello

Madeline Murray – Violin

Mike O’Malley – Euphonium (1) & Euphonium Ensemble (1)

Nick Pantazopoulos – Violin

Laurel Post – Piano

Joy Pozniak – Female Voice

Lexi Robinson – Female Voice

Allie Sheetz – Flute

Annie Vitti – Female Voice

Joe Vitti – Euphonium (1) & Euphonium Ensemble (1)

Sarah Williams – String Ensemble

District 99 Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the D99 Orchestra for presenting their 2013 Spring Concert this evening in the Clarence Johnson auditorium at North High School.  Postponed by one evening due to inclement weather, the diverse repertoire performed during the concert included Dust in the Wind, St. Paul's Suite, and Symphony No. 5 in c minor, Movement I by Beethoven.  Special kudos are extended to senior soloists Kathryn Krainc and Tristan Burnham for performing with the D99 orchestra with extreme grace and elegance.  Although the ground outside is still frozen, the sounds from inside the Johnson auditorium this evening warmed the hearts and minds of the patrons in attendance tonight.

Orchestra Concert Postponed

District 99 has cancelled all after-school events, including tonight’s scheduled Orchestra concert, due to inclement weather.

As foreshadowed in correspondence with orchestra families yesterday, the concert will now take place tomorrow night, Wednesday, March 6, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High.  

DGN Swim Team members who now have two events (concert and banquet) should be able to eat dinner at the banquet before joining their ensembles on stage for the concert.  Students have permission, from the coaching staff and the music faculty to come and go between the two events, provided they understand fully an expectation they are to perform in the concert.

Students scheduled to take the practice ACT test on Wednesday evening have had their practice test re-assigned to the South Campus on Thursday night of this week.

Thank you for your flexibility and patience as we endeavor to create the most successful concert possible for our students who have worked very hard to prepare their music for public performance.

DGMC Announces Two $1,000 Scholarships

The DGMC has recently announced two new $1,000 scholarships for college bound seniors.  Two District 99 music students will be awarded this scholarship money as a way of recognizing outstanding musical achievement and service during high school.  The details are listed below in correspondence from the DGMC Education Co-Chairs.  Links to the organization's website, where  you may find detailed information about how to apply, are also provided below.

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This is to announce the availability of a new Downers Grove Music Club (DGMC) music award.  We just received word, that two $1,000 donations have been made to the DGMC with the intent that this money be used this school year, to award two musically accomplished high school college-bound seniors.  The application is available via the website for the DGMC, http://downersgrovemusicclub.org.  The College Music Award information and application is available in the Educational Opportunities section of the website or it can be accessed directly at this link:  http://www.downersgrovemusicclub.org/scholarships_college.html.  Email inquiries may be made to the following address:  musiced@downersgrovemusicclub.org. 

Please make this monetary award opportunity available to all Seniors enrolled in music at both South and North.  Two awards will be given and each recipient will receive $1,000.  As outlined in the actual application, the requirements of the application are as follows:

• Purpose:  to recognize TWO District 99 High School Music students for excelling at a high level of achievement;
• Eligibility:  current high school Seniors who are actively pursuing music and who will be attending college in the fall of 2013, are eligible to apply.  These students need NOT be pursuing a music degree program at their chosen college;
• How to Apply:  complete the written application, along with a required DVD recording;
• Selection Criteria:  the merit of the applicant’s musical accomplishments and the quality of the applicant’s musical performance.
• Award Notification:  the announcement of the College Music Award recipients will be made at the spring awards ceremonies at both Downers Grove North and South.

The application must be submitted via hardcopy, postmarked no later than April 8, 2013.  

• mailing address:  Downers Grove Music Club, Attn: DGMC College Music Awards, P.O. Box 551, Downers Grove, IL  60515

The DGMC would like to thank Good Samaritan Hospital and club member Rose Verona for their generous donations, making these awards possible.

Thanks so much for distributing this information,

Gloria Salazar and Chris Garofalo

Downers Grove Music Club Education Co-Chair

Virtual "Sprinter" Choir Concert Now Online!

Congratulations to the students and staff of the DGN Choirs, for their musicality and resourcefulness, as they have recorded and posted music originally slated to be performed on the February 26th 'Sprinter' Choir Concert.  This virtual concert, recorded on Wednesday, February 27th, captures the hard work, dedication, and artistry of these fine choral ensembles.

Each choir's performance is posted in a unique video, and may be accessed via the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/DGNFineArts

We invite you to attend our virtual concert!

Chicago Symphony Orchestra Rehearsal with Yo-Yo Ma

Members of the District 99 Orchestra attended an open rehearsal of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra featuring cellist Yo-Yo Ma.  The CSO is preparing for a weekend concert series Chicago Symphony Orchestra with Yo-Yo Ma .  In addition to learning invaluable observational insight into the rehearsal procedures of a major symphony orchestra, the student musicians were treated to a post-rehearsal conversation with Yo-Yo Ma.  During the conversation, Yo-Yo Ma shared insight into performance preparation and his philosophy of performance.  Thanks to Ms. Mullen for creating this experience for the student musicians in the D99 Orchestra.  

You can hear the D99 Orchestra on Tuesday, March 5, 2012 at 7:00 PM the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School in Downers Grove.  

Tonight's Choir Concert is Cancelled Due To Inclement Weather

All District 99 Activities are cancelled for this evening, February 26, 2013, due to inclement weather.

This includes the "Sprinter" Choir Concert.

Additional information about potential rescheduling of the concert will be shared with families of choir students via e-mail.

The safety of all members of our District 99 learning community is a primary concern.  Thanks in advance for your flexibility and understanding.

Choral Collaboration an Artistic Success

Congratulations to the students of the North High A Cappella
Choir, the South High Madrigal Singers, the District 99 Orchestra, and all of
the musicians of the Downers Grove Choral Society, for a wonderful “Choral
Collaboration” this afternoon on District 99’s North campus.  Each ensemble performed with great artistic
sensitivity and attention to musical detail.

Our appreciation is extended to District 99 Fine Arts team
members Pattie Barnes (Collaborative Pianist), Laura Coster (DGS Madrigals conductor),
Bill Miller (DGN Auditorium Manager), Jennifer Mullen (D99 Orchestra
conductor), Beth O’Riordan (DGN A Cappella Choir conductor), and Frank Piekarz
(DGN A Cappella Choir conductor), all who played a role in preparing students
for this afternoon’s Choral Collaboration. 
We also thank the North High Music Boosters and the South High Friends
of Fine Arts for providing refreshments for the reception. 

Special congratulations is extended to North High Fine Arts
faculty member Beth O’Riordan for her solo work in the Benedictus of Franz Joseph Haydn’s Missa Brevis St. Joannis de Deo.

And finally, District 99 thanks DGCS Music Director, Mr.
Justin Sisul, for his vision to create this afternoon’s collaborative artistic
venture.  

A Choral Collaboration, with students from District 99 Choirs

A Choral Collaboration, with students from District 99 Choirs Sunday, February 24, 2013 3:00 pm Downers Grove North High School Clarence Johnson Auditorium Downers Grove, IL Free concert open to the public; free-will offering at time of performance. NO TICKET PURCHASE NECESSARY!

Franz Josef Haydn, Missa Brevis Saint Joannis de Deo (Little Organ Mass) with students from District 99 high school choirs and the D99 Orchestra featuring Beth O'Riordan, soprano Johannes Brahms, A German Requiem, London version with four-hand piano Celeste Martino, soprano Aaron Wardell, baritone Special Guest Artists Madrigal Singers, Downers Grove South High School A Cappella Choir, Downers Grove North High School

The Harlem (Airshaft) Shake

Featuring the great Duke Ellington's composition Harlem Airshaft, here's the DGN Jazz Ensemble's video response to the Harlem Shake.

The Science of Sound

Mr. Scott Pfeiffer from Threshold Acoustics (and Ben's dad!) visited the orchestra classes today and gave a fascinating presentation about acoustics. Having worked on the renovation of Orchestra Hall, where we will be attending a Chicago Symphony Orchestra rehearsal next week, he taught us about the acoustic considerations when redesigning the hall for the Chicago Symphony.  The students were incredibly engaged by Mr. Pfeiffer’s presentation. Thank you, Mr. Pfeiffer, for taking the time to share your knowledge with us!

Congratulations Winter Guard

Congratulations to the 2013 DGN Winter Guard for completing their season with a terrific performance at Stevenson High School this past weekend.  The team upped their season's best score by five points, capping off a competitive season which yielded tremendous growth.

Many thanks to Winter Guard Coach Kelly Coffman for her artistic vision and dedication to the team!

Winter Spirit Assembly

Congratulations to the DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Winter Guard for their outstanding performances at today's Winter Spirit Assembly!