DGN Jazzers @ ETHS Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Jazz Lab Band for their terrific performances at the 2022 Evanston Township High School Jazz Festival this weekend. Student musicians from the DGN Jazz program spent the weekend immersing themselves in jazz education, in addition to having some bowling fun! 

Thank you to the faculty, staff, students and parent volunteers of Evanston Township High School for creating a wonderful day of learning and opportunities to grow as musicians.

Scholarship Alert (Seniors): Rotary Club of DG - Charles Dickerman Music Scholarship

The Rotary Club of Downers Grove is now accepting applications for their annual Charles Dickerman Music Scholarships. Each year since 2009 the Rotary Club presents scholarship checks to deserving high school seniors who reside in Downers Grove or the District 99 attendance area. This year we are increasing both the number and value of the awards. We will award up to four scholarships, including a Grand Award of $4,000!

Charles Dickerman was a founding member of the Rotary Club of Downers Grove. He was a nuclear physicist at Argonne National Laboratory who had undergraduate degrees in both physics and music. Charles stayed involved in music throughout his life and was an avid bagpiper!

An application can be downloaded at:

tinyurl.com/DGRotaryDickermanScholarship22

A scholarship application can also be requested by emailing: musicscholarship@rotarygrovefest.com
or by phoning Dave Humphreys at (630) 968-5526.

Applicants must have their forms submitted via email by Monday, March 28, 2022. If selected as a finalist, candidates will then submit a video audition by Tuesday, April 19, 2022, and must be available for a virtual interview on the evening of Sunday, April 24, 2022. The scholarship winners will be announced in May.

The qualifications to apply for this scholarship are:

• Be a graduating senior attending a public, private, parochial, or home school, and reside in Downers Grove or the High School District 99 attendance area.   
• Plan to pursue a post-secondary education program.
• Have participated in high school curricular music activities and/or extracurricular music activities. 
• Composers and/or arrangers qualify for this scholarship. 
• Pursuit of an undergraduate music major or minor is not required.
• Financial need is not a criterion for selection.

These Charles Dickerman Music Scholarships are funded by proceeds from the annual Downers Grove Rotary GroveFest held each June in downtown Downers Grove, and the annual Thanksgiving Day Grove Express 5K.

Information:

Dave Humphreys   (he/him) 
Rotary Club of Downers Grove
630-968-5526
musicscholarship@rotarygrovefest.com

 

Congratulations DGN Bands!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble for a wonderful performance at the 2022 Winter Band Concert! A special commendation is extended to soloist Kyra McComb for her performance of the James Curnow Concertino for Percussion.   

National Black History Month Spotlight: Amy Sherald (1973 - )

February is Black History Month, and @DGNFineArts is pleased to spotlight the pioneering work of Black artists.

Amy Sherald (http://www.amysherald.com/) is an American painter based in Baltimore, Maryland. She is best known for her portrait paintings. Her choices of subjects look to enlarge the genre of American art historical realism by telling African-American stories within their own tradition.

She first came to prominence in 2016 when her painting, Miss Everything (Unsuppressed Deliverance), won the National Portrait Gallery's Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition. The competition noted that "Sherald creates innovative, dynamic portraits that, through color and form, confront the psychological effects of stereotypical imagery on African-American subjects". She was the first woman to win the competition. Sherald's first solo exhibition, titled "the heart of the matter..." took place in fall 2019 at the Hauser & Wirth gallery in New York City.

The year after Sherald won the Outwin Boochever Portrait Competition, she was chosen by First Lady Michelle Obama to paint her official portrait. On February 12, 2018 the National Portrait Gallery unveiled the portrait, making Sherald the first African-American woman to paint an official First Lady portrait. The double portrait unveiling ceremony was attended by Barack and Michelle Obama. It was noted that Sherald and Kehinde Wiley, the painter of Barack Obama's portrait, were the first African-American artists to make official presidential portraits at the National Portrait Gallery, and also as artists who each early on prioritized African-American portraiture. Holland Cotter noted in a review that they both blend fact and fiction in their portraiture.

Sherald's portrait of Obama drew high numbers of visitors to the National Portrait Gallery.

Congratulations DGN Choirs!

Congratulations to the members of the Freshman Choir, Freshman Ensemble, Concert Choir, Concert Singers, Treble Choir, Treble Ensemble, All Access Choir, Chamber Choir and A Cappella Choir for a wonderful performance at the 2022 Winter Choir Concert! 

Winter Guard Promoted to SAA Class!

The winter guard had an exceptionally successful weekend, taking First Place in the SRA class at the Naperville North competition, and besting their score from the previous week by 10 points!

Additionally, the winter guard reached new heights with their most monumental achievement yet.  Their high score propelled them into another echelon of competition.  The team has competed in the Midwest Color Guard Circuit for for the past ten years in the "SRA class," but their high level of achievement this weekend led to their promotion into the more competitive "SAA class."  

Advancing to the next class up is an impressive affirmation, yet it also means a harder score sheet and tougher competition is ahead for the team. 

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Winter Guard, and best wishes as you embrace new challenges and refine your competitive show this season! 

Upcoming Winter Concerts: DGN Choirs & DGN Bands

The DGN Choirs will be in concert this coming Tuesday, February 8, and the DGN Bands will follow with a concert on Thursday, February 10. Both concerts will begin at 7:00 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School. 

Out-of-town family and friends may view the concert, live-streamed, on the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel, HERE, or by visiting: www.youtube.com/DGNFineArts

Pep Band Season Finale / Parent Night!

Thank you to the volunteer musicians of the DGN Pep Band for providing energetic music and lots of school spirit during the 2021-22 basketball season. Well done!

And, thank you to those parents and guardians that dusted off their instruments and joined us for the season finale. It was great to have you with us!

National Black History Month Spotlight: Sidney Poitier (1927-2022)

February is Black History Month, and @DGNFineArts is pleased to spotlight the pioneering work of Black artists.

Sir Sidney Poitier, (1927 - 2022) is a Bahamian-American actor, film director, author, and diplomat. In 1964 Poitier became the first black actor to win an Academy Award for Best Actor, and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field. The significance of these achievements was bolstered in 1967, when he starred in three successful films, all of which dealt with issues involving race and race relations: To Sir, with Love; In the Heat of the
Night; and Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, making him the top box-office star of that year. In 1999, the American Film Institute named Poitier among the Greatest Male Stars of classic Hollywood cinema. Poitier was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1974. From 1997 to 2007, he served as the Bahamian Ambassador to Japan. On August 12, 2009, Poitier was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the United States' highest civilian honor, by President Barack Obama. In 2016, he was awarded the BAFTA Fellowship for outstanding lifetime achievement in film.

Arizona State University named its new film school after him. The Sidney Poitier New American Film School was unveiled at a virtual ceremony on Monday, January 22, 2021. The decision to name the school after Poitier, 93, is about much more than his achievements and legacy, but because he “embodies in his very person that which we strive to be — the matching of excellence and drive and passion with social purpose and social outcomes, all things that his career has really stood for,” said Michael M. Crow, president of the university.

D99 Jazz in Clinic and Concert with NIU Jazz Orchestra

Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra

The student musicians of the DGN and DGS Jazz Bands participated in an educational clinic and concert with the internationally acclaimed Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra. Led by Professor Reggie Thomas, the NIU Jazz Orchestra performed an exciting set that kept the audience engaged and cheering for more.

Congratulations to the members of the DGN and DGN Jazz programs for their outstanding performances tonight at the Tivoli theater in Downers Grove. It was a pleasure and honor for our students to open for the great Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra!

DGS Jazz Workshop

DGN Jazz Lab Band

DGS Jazz Lab Band

DGN Jazz Ensemble

DGS Jazz Ensemble

NIU Jazz Orchestra with D99 Jazz - Tuesday Night @ Tivoli!

On Tuesday, February 1, at 7 PM, the Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra makes their return to Downers Grove for the first time in two years. Don't miss the chance to hear this critically acclaimed ensemble while also supporting the Downers Grove North and South High School jazz bands!

Tickets, available at the door (cash only) are $8 for adults and $5 for students. 

DGN Winter Guard - 1st Place at Steperettes Contest (Naperville North)

After a nearly two year hiatus from in-person competitions, the DGN Winter Guard came back stronger than ever this weekend.  They have been working hard to make up for lost time, and it paid off.  The Winter Guard finished in first place with an impressive score of 56.49 at the Steperettes contest hosted at Naperville North High School on Sunday!  The team is feeling rejuvenated and excited to have the opportunity to experience in person competitions again.

Congratulations, District 99 All State Musicians!

Congratulations to the student musicians from District 99 who participated in the 2022 Illinois Music Education Conference as All-State Musicians. During a four-day trip to Peoria, IL, students worked with inspirational conductors and teachers to prepare and present a concert of challenging repertoire. With two days of limited rehearsal time, each ensemble presented a stunning performance of challenging music to capacity crowds at the Peoria Civic Center Arena and Theatre.

Our students and staff in District 99 extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the ILMEA State Office staff and volunteers of ILMEA who contributed to creating this experience for our student musicians.   

Scholarship Alert (Seniors): DGN-FOFA Senior Scholarships

What is the Senior Scholarship?

The Downers Grove North Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) are pleased to announce our Senior Scholarship Award Program. FOFA will award scholarships to seniors who are planning to continue their education in the fall following their high school graduation and who plan to participate in some capacity in the fine arts. The FOFA Senior Scholarship Committee reviews the applications in a blind format.

Who may apply?

Current DGN seniors may apply for a scholarship if they are planning to be both involved in the fine arts and continue their education in the fall of 2022. To be eligible, the student must be enrolled in a Fine Arts course during their senior year and have completed 6 semesters of Fine Arts courses upon graduation from Downers Grove North High School.  

• At least one scholarship will be awarded to a senior attending a college in the fall where they will be pursuing a degree involving Fine Arts.

• At least one scholarship will be awarded to a senior who is pursuing an area of study outside of the Fine Arts but plans to continue a Fine Arts activity in college during their freshman year.

To what may the award be applied? 

Recipients will use this one-time award towards tuition at an accredited two or four-year institution of higher learning. The FOFA Senior Scholarship will be administered and awarded in compliance with the DGN Student/Parent Handbook and Code of Conduct Policy.

How do I apply?

First, READ THIS DOCUMENT. Complete the application (fillable Google Form), which can be found HERE or at https://tinyurl.com/DGN-FOFA-SeniorScholarship2022.  The application requires a typed parent/guardian acknowledgment signature. Applications must be submitted electronically via the Google Form no later than 11:59 pm, Wednesday, March 23, 2022.  Mr. Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson, will then accept all applications, remove the student’s name from the application, assign the application an ID number, and submit it to the Scholarship Review Committee for blind review.

What are the criteria for selecting winners?

The Scholarship Review Committee will review the applicant’s grades in the Fine Arts, school activities involving the Fine Arts, activities outside of school involving the Fine Arts, other extracurriculars at DGN, civic/community service, work experience, and essays about the applicant’s future plans and growth as an artist/musician/thespian.  All of these components will be judged blindly and relative to other applicants with similar future plans. Semi-finalists may be required to attend an interview with the Scholarship Review Committee in April. The recipients will be presented with the scholarship at the DGN Senior Awards Night (currently scheduled for Wednesday, May 4th, 2022), or by a phone call from the FOFA President.

Please note: If you are the recipient of a full Fine Arts or full academic grant/scholarship for college, we ask that you do not apply for the FOFA Scholarship as you will not be eligible.

Checklist for completion:

1. Complete the Google application form in its entirety, including student and parent electronic signature and date.   We suggest you use Google Docs or another tool to create your essay responses, then copy these to the form.  

2. Submit the completed application by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, March 23, 2022. You will receive a confirmation email that your submission has been received. If you do not receive an email, please re-submit.