A Conference To Remember: ILMEA All State / IMEC 2014 Recap

The 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference will go "down in the history books" as one of the - if not THE - most successful ever for Downers Grove North High School and Community High School District 99.  

Congratulations to our record number of student musicians who performed as members of the All-State Band, All-State Honors Band, All-State Choir, All-State Honors Choir, All-State Orchestra, All-State Honors Orchestra, All-State Honors Jazz Band, and the All-State Honors Jazz Combo.  Congratulations to our two District 99 students who were selected to participate in the prestigious "Future Music Educators Symposium."  Congratulations to the members of our DGN Jazz Ensemble for their inspirational performance at the convention that garnered wide-spread acclaim.  Congratulations to our award winning composer who submitted an original composition to the All-State Music Composition Contest, and won first-place in his category.  

Congratulations to DGS Fine Arts Department Chairperson, Glenn Williams, for being named as the 2014 All-Sate Jazz Band Conductor.  

And thank you to all of our District 99 music faculty who made innumerable volunteer contributions to the success of the conference as Organizational Hosts, District Chairpersons, Piano Accompanists, Sectional Coaches, Sound & Audio Technicians, and as a member of the ILMEA Board of Directors.  The success of a conference that brings over 10,000 music students and music teachers together takes many hands.  District 99 should be fiercely proud of the contributions made to support the 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference.  

 

DGN Jazz Ensemble Shares "Inspired Performance" With Hundreds

Performing to a "standing room only" crowd that spilled into the hallway of the Peoria Civic Center, the DGN Jazz Ensemble inspired hundreds of music teachers and professional performers attending the 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference. 

From the opening riffs of the Count Basie band's "Kansas City Shout," through the culminating Tenor Sax battle in the "Overture to the Royal Mongolian Suma Foosball Festival," the entire band played with passion, precision, and mature musicianship. 

Thanks to the wonderful support of BandSource in Downers Grove, the band was privileged to share the stage with two incredible guest artists during their IMEC set: Mark Colby (Tenor Sax) and Fareed Haque (Guitar). Both artists captivated the audience with their incredible renditions of "Riley's Thang" (Colby) and "Libertango" (Haque). 

The capacity crowd leapt to their feet at the conclusion of the band's performance, affirming for each DGN musician the impact they had made on those in attendance today. 

A special thanks is extended, on behalf of the band, to all of the parents who made the trip to Peoria to support the performance, as well as Mrs. Kristin Bormann - DGN Associate Principal for Student Activities - who was in attendance this afternoon. 

Following the performance, band members celebrated at a famous Peoria restaurant: Alexander's Steak House. 

Congratulations to all students and staff for a memorable performance at the Illinois Music Education Conference. 

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Bon Voyage All State Musicians!

Record Number of DGN Musicians Heading to All State

Eighteen student musicians from Downers Grove North High School have earned nineteen All-State Honors in the 2013-2014 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, ‘Future Music Educators Symposium’ and Composition Contest. 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 22-25, 2014.  Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 24, and the afternoon of January 25, 2014. Composers will be honored at an awards ceremony on the morning of January 25, 2014. 

ALL STATE CHOIR
Anna Burton (12) Alto II

Emmy Cook (12) Soprano II

Alison LeBeda (11) Alto II

Zach Ligmanowski (12) Tenor I

Martin Whitmore (11) Tenor II

ALL STATE ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Timothy Edwards (10) Cello

Liam Morgan (10) Cello

Katherine Portman (12) Violin

Amelia Smerz (10) Cello

Samantha Young (11) Cello

ALL STATE WINDS & PERCUSSION (CLASSICAL)

Kevin Atwater (11) Clarinet (Band)

Ben Casey (12) Tuba (Band)

Tommy Donnelly (12) Trumpet (Orchestra)

Katherine Goldsmith (12) Clarinet (Band)

Katherine Severt (11) Oboe (Orchestra)

ALL STATE WINDS & PERCUSSION (JAZZ)

Rob Kulik (12) Drum Set

Spencer Schillerstrom (12) Tenor Sax

FUTURE MUSIC EDUCATORS SYMPOSIUM

Allison Kirkegaard (11)

ALL STATE MUSIC COMPOSITION

Spencer Schillerstrom (12) 1st Place - Jazz Improvisation

Professional Collaboration

Members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble enjoyed the opportunity to collaborate with two of the finest professional musicians in the world today: Fareed Haque (Guitar) and Mark Colby (Saxophone).  Both artists will join the DGN Jazz Ensemble in performance later this week at the Illinois Music Education Conference. #imec2014 #peoriaorbust

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DGN Jazz Bands Achieve Unprecedented Success at 2014 Purdue Jazz Fest

DGN student musicians garnered multiple group and individual awards/honors at the 2014 Purdue Jazz Festival this weekend.  Both the DGN Jazz Ensemble, and the DGN Jazz Lab Band, won 1st Place "Honor Band" awards in their respective competition venues.  Having two bands from the same school selected as Honor Bands - in the same year - is a 'first' for DGN, and a rare occurrence for any school at this festival.  All three performing ensembles from North High (Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Combo) received "Division I" distinction as well.

Twenty individual students were richly rewarded with twenty-four Outstanding Solo & Musicianship Awards (list following), and Spencer Schillerstrom received two separate solo award distinctions of special significance: North Ballroom Outstanding Soloist of the Day (which included a Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Scholarship prize) as well as being one of two instrumental soloists from the Jazz Combo competition to receive a scholarship to the prestigious Jamey Aebersold Summer Jazz Workshop.

The Purdue Jazz Festival, now in it's 24th year, is widely recognized as the most prestigious festival of it's kind in the Midwest drawing bands from a five-state region.  94 bands, and over 2,200 students had the opportunity to perform for a distinguished pannel of nearly thirty adjudicators, all of whom are considered the most widely respected performers and teachers of jazz in the nation.

Awards Recap

Ensemble Awards:

• DGN Jazz Ensemble - 1st Place Honor Band (High School 1st Bands) & Division 1 Rating
• DGN Jazz Lab Band - 1st Place Honor Band (High School 2nd Bands), Division 1 Ratiner, and "Judges Award".
• DGN Jazz Combo - Division 1 Rating

Individual Awards:

• Spencer Schillerstrom - North Ballroom Outstanding Soloist of the Day
• Spencer Schillerstrom - Jazz Combo - Jamey Aebersold Scholarship Award 

Outstanding Solo & Musicianship Awards:

• Michael Brooks - Drums
• Sebastian Calvino - Trombone (2 awards)
• Alexa Castelvecchi - Vocal
• Evan Culligan - Tenor Saxophone
• Darius Daugvila - Piano
• Kathleen Donnelly - Alto Saxophone
• Zack Foster - Bass (3 awards)
• Samuel Heppner - Trumpet
• Justine Hung - Piano
• Max King - Guitar
• Eirene Kowal - Piano
• Rob Kulik - Drums
• Zach McCoy -Drums
• John McGarry - Trombone
• Joe Pacheco - Trumpet
• Clayton Possidoni - Drums
• Nathaniel Rapach - Trumpet
• Spencer Schillerstrom - Tenor & Alto Saxophone (2 awards)
• Grant Severt - Guitar
• Amelia Smerz - Cello

  

IMEC Preparation with David Fodor

Tonight the DGN Jazz Ensemble had the pleasure of working with Dr. David Fodor, recently retired Evanston Township High School Director of Bands. Dr. Fodor, one of the most widely respected jazz educators in the nation, helped the ensemble further refine their music for their upcoming performance at the Illinois Music Education Conference.

Dr. Fodor was the seventh of seven scheduled "Jazz Mentor" masterclasses that were developed to help the Jazz Ensemble prepare for the IMEC, and his words of encouragement - as well as suggestions for a successful performance - were appreciated by all.

Thank you Dr. Fodor!

Swingin' at FitzGeralds

The DGN Jazz Ensemble was swingin' hard at FitzGeralds tonight. Playing from the stage that has been home to countless musical legends, the students of DGN played with tremendous musicianship and great energy!

Congratulations DGN Jazz Ensemble, and best wishes on your upcoming performances this month at the Purdue Jazz Festival and the Illinois Music Education Conference!

21st Annual Jazz Cafe

The 21st Annual Jazz Cafe at North High School was a resounding success last night as bands from DGN, Herrick Middle School, and Jefferson Junior High School entertained audiences with terrific jazz music.  In addition to great ensemble playing and student soloists, guest artist Alex Beltran (Tenor Sax - Chicago) joined the DGN Jazz Lab Band and DGN Jazz Ensemble. 

Many thanks are extended to all who gave generously to support this year's designated charity: The American Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund.  We appreciate your support of this organization as they work to help those in need both close to home, and across the globe.  Thank you, as well, to the DGN Music Boosters for their generous support (most notably Hospitality Coordinator Carolyn Donnelly and her crew of wonderful volunteers), and Downers Grove Caribou Coffee for their donation of coffee.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Welcome Rip Chords!

The University of Illinois' Rip Chords were on campus today performing for the Freshman and A Cappella Choirs.  The Rip Chords are a female student-run choir that performs a cappella arrangements of popular music.  It was a stellar performance!

DGN Jazz to play FitzGerald's This Weekend!

The DGN Jazz Ensemble will be performing this Sunday night at one of the most famous jazz venues in the country: FitzGerald's.  Located at 6615 Roosevelt Rd. in Berwyn, IL, FitzGerald's has a long tradition of featuring the most famous bands and soloists in jazz from across the nation.

The DGN Jazz Ensemble will begin at 5:30 PM, opening for the Grandstand Big Band which will play later in the evening.  Come out to support our great jazz musicians in a concert that will feature the music the band will be performing at the Illinois Music Education Conference on January 23rd.

http://www.fitzgeraldsnightclub.com/events/view/Chicago-Grandstand-Big-Band-plus-Downers-Grove-North-High-School-Jazz-Ensemble

21st Annual Jazz Cafe is Friday Night!

The Fine Arts Department invites you to attend the 21^st Annual Jazz Café Charity Concert, Friday evening at 6:30 p.m. in the Student Cafeteria.  Join us to hear the sounds of the DGN Jazz Ensembles, and ensembles from Herrick and Jefferson.  Soloing with the DGN Bands will be guest jazz saxophonist, Alex Beltran, from Chicago.

Our featured charity this year is The AmericanRed Cross.  The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors.  Specifically, we are working to raise money for Typhoon Haiyan relief, and for the Illinois Tornado Relief funds.

The concert is free of charge, located in the Student Cafeteria, and light refreshments will be served.  So come enjoy great jazz in a casual atmosphere!  And please consider making a donation to The American Red Cross while you’re there.

IMEC Preparation with Craig Roselieb

Last spring the DGN Jazz Ensemble was honored with an invitation to perform this month (January 23, 2014) at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria.  Students continue their work in preparing music for that important performance, and tonight the band welcomed Downers Grove South High School Music Teacher, Craig Roselieb, as a guest jazz mentor.  Mr. Roselieb is the sixth of seven guest-conductors who have agreed to serve as mentors to the band leading up to the January 23rd performance.  

Every member of the band enjoyed working with Mr. Roselieb tonight, and appreciated his

musical insights.  Following the full-band rehearsal, Mr. Roselieb worked specifically with the saxophones on jazz style and phrasing.

Thank you, Mr. Roselieb, for inspiring us with your musicianship tonight!