Time to bid a fond farewell to our friends

The air still resounds with the sounds of the concert at the Tivoli in Downers Grove last evening.  With over 500 people in attendance and more than 500 people viewing the concert online, our friends from Beitigheim-Bissingen, Germany performed with a musical elegance beyond their chronological years.  The transformational nature of this exchange was experienced fully by all in attendance through the sounds performed, the words spoken, and the interactions observed.   Our hearts are already sad to see our friends depart this morning!

D99/BB exchange expands to the Visual Arts

The students in the Digital Photo curriculum experienced a cross-cultural, mulit-disciplinary masterclass in photography.  Ideas were shared and boundaries were expanded through the realm of photography and digital photography.

Helfried Strauss presented the student artist with a history of his work, which included capturing the transformation of the city of Leipzig, Germany after the Berlin Wall came down.  Herr Strauss also spent time examining the work of DGN student artists, providing them formative feedback on their work and asking them probing questions about concepts and meaning within their photographs.

Special thanks to the Mrs. Herrmann who served as linguistic translator during the presentation.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't Miss Tonight's German Music Concert!

7:00 PM at The Tivoli. Please join us for a wonderful exchange concert!

2014 D99/Woodridge Public Library Art Show

The North and South High Art teams are busy hanging the 2014 D99/WPL Art Show, a show which features the finest 2D and 3D work from District 99 visual artists.

The show opens tonight, April 16, 2014 at 6 PM at the Woodridge Public Library and will be in exhibition through the month of April.  Results of the show adjudication will be announced in a brief ceremony at 6:30 PM.  The public is cordially invited to attend the opening and the exhibiton.  

April Jazz (Sharing Is Caring) Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Percussion Ensemble for a terrific concert last night.  Each group played with musical passion, and great artistic style.  

Special thanks are extended to the Recorder Orchestra and Guitar Orchestra from the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule for their Prelude performances!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jazz Concert - Tuesday Night!

Don't miss the 2014 "Sharing Is Caring" Jazz Concert at North High, Tuesday, April 15, 7:00 PM.  This concert will feature the DGN Jazz Lab Band, DGN Percussion Ensemble, and DGN Jazz Ensemble.  Artist-in-Residence Kirk Garrison will be featured as soloist with both jazz groups.

Do you have family or friends out-of-town who would like to "tune in" for the concert?  The concert will be streamed live on The Cube here.

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/2013-14-sharing-is-caring-jazz-bands-concert-340555

Krik Garrison - Artist In Residence

DGN is pleased to welcome Mr. Kirk Garrison to campus for a two-day residency where he is working with students of the DGN jazz band and concert band programs.  Today Mr. Garrison worked with Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, as well as rehearsals with the Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble.

Mr. Garrison will headline the "Sharing is Caring" April Jazz Concert, Tuesday evening (7:00 PM) in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High.

A veteran of the Chicago jazz scene, trumpeter Kirk Garrison attended Mankato State University in his home state of Minnesota before honing his skills in the United States Air Force Band. After leaving the Air Force in 1992, he completed his Master's degree in Jazz Studies at DePaul University where he is now a member of the jazz faculty. Garrison's recent performance credits include the International Music Festival in Hue, Vietnam with Kimotion, the Ravinia Music Festival with Dave Brubeck, the North Shore Jazz Festival with Joey DeFrancesco. Kirk was recently commissioned to write arrangements for internationally renowned jazz saxophonist Phil Woods with big band and an arrangement of 'Nature Boy' for orchestra and choir which will premiere in January of 2010. He has been on several tours of Europe and the United States with the Lt. Dan Band featuring actor Gary Sinise.

Kirk has also appeared with such jazz stalwarts as Louie Bellson, Kenny Burrell, Ron Carter, Kurt Elling, and Herbie Hancock. In addition, Kirk Garrison is in high demand as a writer and arranger. In this capacity, he has received commissions from DePaul University, Rob Parton's Jazz Tech Big Band, the Chicago String Ensemble, and the Millar Brass Ensemble at Northwestern University.

Howard Reich, jazz critic for the Chicago Tribune wrote, "The spectacular trumpet solo that Kirk Garrison offered... reminded listeners why the Jazz Members Big Band stands among the best repertory units in the country." Cadence Magazine's jazz critic Jack Bowers wrote "Kirk Garrison's marvelous trumpet work ... so moving it brought tears to my eyes." His trumpet artistry was described as "cool work" by John Von Rhein, music critic of the Chicago Tribune. John Killoch of Mainly Big Bands (UK) wrote in a review, "This guy nails the section with a big, accurate lead sound and when he flexes his chops ... the sound is again right down the middle, in tune, big and so high. Musical is a good way to put it. An object lesson to anyone who aspires to be a top lead trumpeter."

Kirk Garrison uses Denis Wick mutes and mouthpieces and is a Denis Wick performing artist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D99/BB Exchange goes on the road.

Our friends from Beitigheim-Bissingen traveled today to experience the gracious hospitality and musicianship from the students and staff at  Lincoln-Way Central High School.

The recorder orchestra participated in clinics and workshops with Laura Kuhlman, the current president of the American Recorder Society, and with Glen Shannon, internationally acclaimed recorder composer and performer.  After the time of the learning, the BB Recorder Orchestra performed for the Lincoln-Way Central Wind Ensemble.

The Guitar Orchestra spent time rehearsing and then shared the stage with the Lincoln-Way Central Guitar Studio Ensemble.  A favorite moment of the day was a spontaneous international guitar jam session which took place right after the performance.

The Orchestra performed for the Lincoln-Way Central HS Orchestra, ending with a fabulous vocal feature.

After the morning of music, the Lincoln-Way staff treated our German friends to a pizza lunch before sending us on our way back to Downers Grove.

Special thanks to Stacy Williams-Jackson and the Lincoln-Way Central music team for their rich hospitality today.  The world was made a smaller place today through the exchange of culture and music.

Host Family Weekend!

District 99 Music Host Families have enjoyed the opportunity to show our guests from Germany around the Chicago area this weekend.  Here are some some images shared from many of the host families.

Click on any of the images below to access the full album of nearly 60 images from our hosts.

Welcome Luncheon

District 99 music host-families gathered this afternoon for a group lunch with our guests from the Bietigheim-Bussingen Musikschule. Thank you to our host families for bringing delicious food and providing a very positive welcome.

Music Exchange - A New Chapter Begins!

This evening District 99 welcomed students from the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule (Germany) as they arrived at O'Hare International Airport and transferred to Downers Grove.  

A special thanks is extended to the students, parents, and faculty who helped make our guests - many who are visiting the United States for the first time - feel welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District 99 Cultural and Music Exchange

The world is about to become a smaller place for students in District 99 and the community of Downers Grove.

Next Wednesday evening, April 16^th (7 PM), students from the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule (Germany) will present a wonderful concert in our community.  These students – who are arriving on April 11 to spend the next week in “home stays” with District 99 families, are continuing a rich cultural and musical tradition shared between our community and that of Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.  Historical highlights of this exchange follow at the end of this announcement.

When our District 99 music students have traveled to Germany on past tours, they have always been privileged to perform for large/appreciative audiences.  There is nothing that can help a student music ensemble feel more welcomed or appreciated than the response of a community to come out and support their efforts.  With this in mind, we are asking our community to please thoughtfully consider attending this concert, and supporting these wonderful student musicians from Germany.

Details of the concert may be found in the poster above.

We hope to see you, your family and friends, at the Tivoli next Wednesday night, at 7:00 PM.  The concert is FREE and open to the community, so please invite your neighbors as well!

EXCHANGE BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS:

The cultural exchange that we enjoy today is the product of almost 30 years of ongoing musical tours between the District 99 schools and the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule. 

1985:   Mr. Bob Jacobs of the Downers Grove Morning Kiwanis Club was contacted by a Kansas City area Kiwanis Club, inquiring about the possibility of finding a high school music program that would host a German student band from Bietigheim-Bissingen.  Mr. Jacobs then contacted Mr. Alan Roselieb, the music teacher at Downers Grove South High School.  Mr. Roselieb coordinated the first visit of the German students to the Downers Grove area.

      1993:   District 99 sends first music ensembles to visit Germany and participate in the exchange.  Student participants included the band from Downers Grove South and the District 99 Orchestra.  Tour directors included Mr. Alan Roselieb, Mr. Pat Annelo, and Mr. Craig Roselieb.

      1997:   Second District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. Craig Roselieb and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2001:   Third District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Mr. Ronald Hornish, Mr. Craig Roselieb, and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2005:   Fourth District 99 tour to Germany. Student participants included the band from Downers Grove North and the District 99 Orchestra. Tour directors included Mrs. Anne Branch, Mr. William Miller, and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2008:   Fifth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Mr. Craig Roselieb, Mr. Brayer Teague, and Mr. Glenn Williams.

      2010:   Sixth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors orchestra made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. William Miller, Mr. Ronald Hornish.

      2012:   Seventh District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools.  Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. Craig Roselieb, Mr. Brayer Teague, and Mr. Glenn Williams.

      2014:   Upcoming - Eighth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors orchestra made up of students from both North and South High Schools.  Tour directors include Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. Gregory Hensel, and Mr. Craig Roselieb.

District 99 has hosted many different Musikschule tours over the past 30 years, including multiple visits by their concert band, string orchestra, guitar orchestra, recorder ensemble, and accordion band.  Our District 99 Administration and our Downers Grove Village Government has been very supportive of welcoming these guests.

DGN Music Booster Summer Camp Scholarships

The DGN Music Boosters provide Summer Music Camp Scholarships for North High student musicians (current Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors) who will engage in music camp activities this June, July and August.  

Applications are easy to complete, and available online.  The due-date to complete the application is Friday, April 25th.  

You may access the application for this scholarship by clicking here.  

http://tinyurl.com/DGNMusicBoosterScholarships

We encourage any DGN Freshman, Sophomore or Junior who will be attending a summer music camp to fill out the application so we can work to support your efforts!