35 DGN Marching Band Seniors Honored

Congratulations to the 35 DGN Marching Band Seniors in the Class or 2016 who were honored at this weekend's home football game. A special "thank you" is extended to the parents, grandparents, and family members who have supported the musical journey of these wonderful students!

DGN's Marty Voelker Named Illinois Art Educator of the Year!

Congratulations to DGN Fine Arts faculty member Mr. Marty Voelker who has been named the Secondary Art Educator of the Year for 2015 by the Illinois Art Education Association.

The award annually recognizes the contribution, service and achievements of one IAEA member. The awards committee, in naming Mr. Voelker as this year's Art Educator of the Year wrote, "Mr. Voelker's work inside the classroom and his coordination with other teachers provides an extraordinary education for the students of Downers Grove North High School." The committee went on to site Mr. Voelker's work outside his own classroom, noting he is as an outstanding contributor to the Illinois Art Education Association membership, and the art education community as a whole.

Mr. Voelker will be formally recognized at an Awards Ceremony on November 6, 2015, at the Hilton Hotel in Lisle, IL.

Congratulations Mr. Voelker, and thank you for the tremendous example you set for both students and colleagues!

Congratulations and Thank You Maggie Rossini!

The DGN Fine Arts Department extends thanks and congratulations to Mrs. Maggie Rossini who retires today after 28 years of service to District 99.

Mrs. Rossini, you will be missed beyond measure!

A New Year - A New Identity: Welcome from DGN Fine Arts!

First Day of School!

It's the "first day of school" and the faculty and staff of the DGN Fine Arts Department is excited to begin working with the students of North High today.

Parents/Guardians, please do not hesitate to contact our office if there is anything we can do to support your child's artistic journey with us this year.

We encourage you to connect with our Department and interact with our student art and music via the multiple online portals that we maintain. We endeavor to use Social Media, and the Web in general, as a 21st Century space for exhibiting the artistic successes of our musicians and visual artists.  We hope you will connect with these resources often, and celebrate the arts with us!

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/dgnfinearts

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/northfinearts

Instagram:  https://instagram.com/dgnfinearts/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DGNFineArts

Blog:  http://northfinearts.blogspot.com/

Updated Visual Identity

2015-16 brings a new visual identity for the Fine Arts at DGN that represents unified music and visual art disciplines at North High School, as well as our DGN Fine Arts Boosters parents' organization. Our new mark (see above) builds upon the District 99 crest, a symbol common to both Downers Grove high schools, forming a field of solid DGN Purple and expressing community values. Within the field, a single point of light represents the intuitive spark of an idea, generating the desire to create.  The idea may manifest into many artistic directions and travel as far as passion will drive it. Vectors emanate from the point, evoking a spotlight on students' accomplishments. They extend beyond the confines of the field to suggest a lifelong journey in the arts.

On behalf of the entire Fine Arts team at DGN, as well as the Fine Arts Boosters Board of Directors, I would like to sincerely thank Mr. Patrick Palmer (Partner, Strategy & Analytics Lead), and Mr. Scott Theisen (Creative Director), of VSA PARTNERS, INC (Chicago) for their many contributions to the development and roll-out of our new visual identity. Both men are North High parents, and wonderful volunteers for our organization.  We are indebted to them for their creativity and volunteer spirit.

Welcome to the 2015-16 academic year at Downers Grove North High School!

Brayer Teague

Fine Arts Department Chairperson

Band Camp Showcase & Ice Cream Social

Congratulations to the members of the 2015 Trojan Marching Band on their outstanding performance at tonight's Band Camp Showcase!

Marching Band Preview Show Tonight!

Band Camp 2015 is in the books, and all that's left this week is our 2015 Band Camp Showcase performance.  Come on out and join us tonight on the West Practice Field. Show starts at 5:30 PM. Bring a lawn chair and get ready to enjoy the sound and pageantry of the 2015 Trojan Marching Band.  We'd love to have you with us!

(Student call time = 5 PM for warm-ups in the Band Room.)

Spirit Nights @ Band Camp

From Superheroes & Villains ... to That 70s Show ... DGN Marching Band members know how to fill evening camp rehearsals with tremendous spirit!

Back on Campus and Ready to Rock!

The Trojan Marching Band is off and running at Band Camp 2015. 

Congratulations to our "Newcomers" and our "Formers" for a great first day!

Percussion and Color Guard Mini Camps Underway!

Members of the Trojan Marching Band Percussion and Color Guard sections are on campus today, Wednesday, and Thursday participating in mini camp rehearsals. All tolled, these dedicated students will rehearse a full 24 hours in advance of Band Camp 2015. Thank you to each of the students in these sections - as well as their Student Leaders - for their dedication to excellence!

Leading the Way #99Learns

The 2015 DGN Band Student Leadership Team spent the day honing their communication and leadership skills at the Lincoln Marsh Nature Preserve Ropes Course and on campus. Thanks to these dedicated students for their energy and dedication to excellence!

2015 Marching Band Photo Set for September 11

Trojan Marching Band members are asked to "save the date" for this year's group photograph.

Friday, September 11

1:45 - 2:30 PM

Field House

* This is an "early dismissal" day. Students will be dismissed from school at 1:30 PM. Band members will then change for the photograph, and stage in the Field House.

Ordering information will be provided to students and parents later this month.

Congrats Kendall Gretsch! #99Learns

Congratulations to DGN Band Alumnus Kendall Gretsch on her ESPY Nomination. We are very proud of you Kendall!

Read more about the story:

http://www.chicagotribune.com/ct-dgr-espy-female-athlete-disability-tl-0709-20150714-story.html

Happy Independence Day! #99Learns @Dist_99

Congratulations and thank you to the members of the Trojan Marching Band and Marching Mustangs who once again combined forces to form the District 99 Marching Band for this year's 4th of July Parade in Downers Grove. The band entertained a large crowd for the length of the parade with high energy music, marching and guard work. Another huge thank you to the booster parents at both North and South who supported the band with water, uniform distribution, and equipment moving. We hope all our District 99 music families enjoy the Independence Day holiday and the rest of their summer vacations!

DGN Alumnus Kristin Bowers - NYC Macy's Fireworks Soundtrack

DGN Band Alumnus and Unites States Air Force Band Principal Clarinetist, Kristin Bowers, performs tonight in New York City as the USAFB will provide the soundtrack for the largest fireworks display in our nation. 

This 6 minute video is an inspiring look behind the scenes to see how the music - and the pyrotechnics - are a collaborative and creative venture as this production is planned to celebrate our nation's Independence Day. 

Enjoy viewing, and Happy Fourth of July! 

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/USAFBand/videos/10152926953596121/

YouTube:

http://youtu.be/B8mvdTJKcZM