Transforming hearts and minds through shared musical experiences

Congratulations to the student musicians from the Downers Grove South High School Wind Ensemble, the Downers Grove North High School Wind Ensemble, and to our special guests in the Jugendblasorchester from the Musikschule of Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany for a fabulous concert last evening.  The bond formed through sharing musical experiences together is strong, and the students from each ensemble experienced the depth of this bond by sharing a a concert with each other.  The auditorium was packed, and the patrons clamored for an encore from the JBO at the end of the performance.  The evening concluded with over 200 student musicians performing a collaborative Stars and Stripes Forever! Bravo to each performer for their contributions to the success of this ongoing cultural and musical exchange.  

Expanding Classroom Boundaries

Classroom boundaries are expanded  by leaving the room to go into the world, or, by bringing parts of the world into the classroom.  Today in District 99, the boundaries of the classroom were expanded by bringing parts of the world into our district.

We are proud to welcome our guests from Beitigheim-Bissingen, Germany into our homes and our community.  Dr. Erica Niedlinger, DePaul University, worked with the band students from Germany this morning to sharpen their individual and collective ensemble skills.  Concurrently, the international sensation cello band Break of Reality presented master classes and rehearsed with students in the District 99 orchestra.  Then, in the evening, the renowned cello band performed for a nearly capacity crowd at the Clarence Johnson Auditorium, combining on two selections with our own District 99 orchestra.

Today students from Germany came to our classroom and community.  Today, a regional university professor shared musical experiences with an international ensemble.  Today, an internationally acclaimed ensemble performed and rehearsed with our student musicians.  Today, the boundaries of the classroom were significantly expanded for our student musicians in District 99.

"Break of Reality" Masterclass

"Break of Reality" is on campus today presenting workshops to District 99 string orchestra students in preparation for tonight's concert.

Limited general-admission tickets still remain and will be available tonight at the door for purchase. You won't want to miss this amazing musical ensemble!

Erica Neidlinger - German Band @germanmusicx

Dr. Erica Neidlinger of the DePaul University School of Music was on campus today to work with our guests from Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.

Don't miss the German Band in concert this Thursday, 7 PM, at North High in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium.

Welcome to Downers Grove! @germanmusicx

Our guests from Beitigheim-Bissingen have arrived safely after a bus trip from Kansas City.  We are excited to welcome them into our homes and share our community with them.  Thanks to all of the host families for their hospitality.  We anticipate a fabulous week of musical and cultural exchange!

Two DGN Band Alumni To Perform National Anthem at Tonight's NCAA March Madness Final

Two DGN Band Alumni - Tommy Donnelly (Class of 2014) and Brett Latman (Class of 2013) will be a part of a large Trumpet Choir that will perform the National Anthem at tonight's NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship game.

Donnelly, a Mechanical Engineering major at Purdue University, and Latman, a Music Education major at Indiana University, are both involved in their respective college marching bands.  They will join trumpet players from several Indiana schools - as well as the United States Army Herald Trumpet Ensemble - to perform the Star Spangled Banner.

The performance of the National Anthem will be heard by approximately 70,000 spectators at Lucas Oil Stadium, and millions more world wide during the television broadcast.

Tune in to CBS-TV tonight to hear the National Anthem.  Tip-off is 8:18 CST.  The Anthem will be performed shortly before.

Congratulations Tommy and Brett!

2015-16 DGN Color Guard Clinic & Auditions Announced!

Please click here for detailed information about the 2015-16 DGN Color Guard Auditions.

We are holding an informational meeting and clinic help-session on Saturday, April 25, 2015.  Auditions will take place on Thursday, May 14, 2015.

The DGN Color Guard is an award-winning section of the Downers Grove North High School Trojan Marching Band. While many of our Color Guard students are enrolled concurrently in the band program, membership in the DGN Bands is not a prerequisite for membership in the Color Guard.

2015 District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

Congratulations to the student musicians from the North High and South High Choral programs for their wonderful performances in this evening's District 99 Vocal Honors Recital.

Initiated over 20 years ago, the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital showcases the finest vocal musicians in District 99 in an annual collaborative performance. This event symbolizes what is best in District 99 - it is collaborative, it is predicated on excellence, and it is all about students.

Leading up to this recital, both South and North High Schools hold independent vocal festivals. These festivals, held during the school day, are adjudicated by professional musicians and teachers from outside of District 99. The expert panel of adjudicators provide each student performing event with immediate formative feedback, and, with a score based on the quality of their performance. Each school then holds a run-off competition, where the best events are selected by the panel of adjudicators to perform on the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital. In total, more than 100 chamber music events are adjudicated during the Vocal Festivals at North and South High Schools.

In addition to the District 99 team of teachers working with the student musicians, a superior staff of private voice teachers coach and accompany the student singers through the performance preparation process at both South and North High Schools. These teachers are integral to the student success manifested during this recital.

Special thanks to District 99 music faculty and staff - Pattie Barnes, Joy Belt-Roselieb, Laura Coster, Gina Meehan, Beth O'Riordan, Ricardo Pedroza and Frank Piekarz for their work in coordinating this evenings recital.  In addition, we extend our appreciation to Private Voice Instructors who have served as mentors to our students: Kathrin Danzmayr, Todd Diehl, Colleen Lingenfelter, Ann McMann, Holley McKee, Gretel Mink Hansen, Jann Mochelle, Ingrid Mueller, Angela Presutti-Korbitz, and Stephanie Singer.  

Winter Guard @ Carl Sandburg

Congratulations to the DGN Winter Guard for another outstanding performance at the Carl Sandburg High School Winter Guard Festival.  The Winter Guard continues to impress judges, taking 5^th place and improved their routine score by 4 points as they head towards the end of their season.   Great work, ladies, and best of luck in the upcoming Championships!

11th Annual Children's Outreach Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Bands who performed this afternoon in the 11th Annual Children's Outreach Concert.  Over 1,000 Elementary school students were in attendance!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March Band Concert - Musical Homecoming

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Bands for their performance this evening in the March Band Concert.  Following their successful New York Tour, the members of the  Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble each played with strong musicianship and artistry.  

A special thanks is extended to Evan Culligan & Hannah Thompson (narrators) as well as guest conductor and soloist Dr. Thomas Bough from Northern Illinois University.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight's Band Concert to feature Dr. Thomas Bough

Dr. Thomas Bough, Professor of Music from Northern Illinois University, will be featured as tuba soloist and guest conductor at this evening's March Band Concert.  Professor Bough has been on campus today working with Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble in preparation for tonight's concert.

Out of town family and friends, who would like to attend the concert virtually, the concert will be webcast here on High School Cube.

2015 North High School National Scholastic Art and Writing Awards Recipients

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have been the premiere showcase for creative teens since their inception in 1923. This year’s Regional Competitions received over 300,000 entries. Regional Gold Key recipients then moved on to the National Adjudication in New York City.

On Monday, March 16^th,  the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards announced this year’s National Medal Winners.

Downers Grove North students garnered three awards:

Addiction - Briana Gastaldello

Junior Briana Gastaldello received a Silver Medal for her photograph “Addiction." Her teacher is Mrs. Megan Kelly.

Senior Taylor Laughlin received a Silver Medal for her painting “Facing Your Fears." Her teacher is Mr. Marty Voelker.

Senior Julia Rush received a Gold Medal for her poem “Steps to Take Before You Are Truly Awake."  Her teacher is Ms. Lauren Schlesinger.

Facing Your Fears - Taylor Laughlin

We are incredibly proud of these students, and their teachers," said Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague.  "We salute their dedication to the arts, and their commitment to sharing their passion with our community, and the nation."

Student work will be in exhibition at Carnegie Hall in New York, New York starting with an opening gala in June of 2015.

Happy St. Patrick's Day from the D99 Orchestra

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra for presenting a tremendous concert this evening.  Special kudos to Shatien Jordan and Monica Lim for their solo performance on the first movement of Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor.  The evening concluded musically with a combined rendition of Grainger's Molly on the Shore as a celebratory sonic greeting card for St. Patrick's Day.

District 99 Orchestra Prepares for Tuesday Night Concert

Members of the District 99 Concert and Symphonic Orchestras were in stage rehearsals today in preparation for tomorrow night's March Orchestra Concert.

Don't miss the concert, held tomorrow night, March 17, at 7:00 pm, in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School.

Out-of-town family and friends who are unable to hear the concert live may view the live stream, on the web HERE, or by clicking the High School Cube logo below.

Winter Guard Takes 4th at Cavaliers / Batavia Competition

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Winter Guard for their 4th place finish at this weekend's competition held at Batavia High School and sponsored by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps.

The Winter Guard continues to improve scores each week, and is showing tremendous growth as a performing unit.  With championships just two weeks away, the competitive season is quickly drawing to a close.

We extend best wishes to the Winter Guard in their final two weeks of the competition season!

Summer Study in Fine Arts (Music & Visual Art)

Living in the Midwest, we are fortunate to have close proximity to a myriad of summer student opportunities in both visual art and music.  Students can intently focus on their passions and expand their horizons by participating in these experiences.

The DGN Fine Arts Boosters provides a process to apply for summer study as do many other community and civic organizations.  A list of summer study experiences has been created in an effort to centrally locate this information for students and families.  As always, please consult with your teacher when seeking to find the summer study experience best suited for you.

Information about summer study experiences can be accessed by clicking on the link below:

2015 Summer Study Experiences 

#NYNouveau In Sound & Images

Fine Arts Flower & Plant Sale Kick Off Today!

It's time to wish the winter of 2015 a fond farewell, and set our sights squarely on Spring!

We have kicked-off the annual DGN Fine Arts Boosters Flower Sale, and music / visual art families are encouraged to start dreaming of spring planting!

Students received preliminary information today in classes, and were given the opportunity to pick up order forms.  

Click here for all the info - and additional order forms!