Downers Grove North Musicians Find Solo Success!

Downers Grove North High School student musicians participated in the Illinois High School Association State Solo and Ensemble Contest on March 1, 2008.

Forty-two events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division I rating of SUPERIOR. A Division I score is categorized as “A Superior Performance – outstanding in nearly every detail.” In addition, thirty-seven events from Downers Grove North High School received a Division II rating of OUTSTANDING. A Division II score is categorized as “An excellent performance – only minor defects.”

“Preparing for a Solo and Ensemble contest is a great opportunity for our students to express their individualism as soloists and to develop team-work skills with small ensembles,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chair at North High. “We’re very proud of all our students who entered the state contest this year. They did a terrific job representing North High with their musicianship.”

The following North High Music Events received a “Division I—Superior” rating.

• Keith Anderson, Oboe solo
• Jesse Backes, Snare Drum solo
• Kristen Bergquist, Cello solo
• Phoebe Black, Flute solo
• Emma Bolam, Vocal solo
• Brittany Brady, Violin solo
• Nathan Cornish, Vocal solo
• Shannon Drobney, Violin solo
• Jane Duffy, Vocal solo
• Rania El-Kareh, Clarinet solo
• Kirsten Keller, Flute solo
• Katrina Garland, Viola solo
• Marika Garland, Clarinet solo
• Kendall Gretsch, Clarinet solo
• Caroline Hlohowskyj, Trumpet solo
• Jamshed Jehangir, Marimba solo
• Emily Kirkegaard, Oboe solo
• Marie Kirkegaard, Clarinet solo
• Catherine Krygeris, Vocal solo
• Andrew Kuikman, Multiple Percussion solo
• Kristen Lemke, Vocal solo
• Alyssa Love, Violin solo
• Elizabeth Meier, Vocal solo
• Kurt Meyer, Clarinet solo
• Jenna Mitchell, Vocal solo
• Lauren Niemi, Vocal solo
• John O’Hara, Clarinet solo
• Nicholas Rudy, Cello solo
• Lauren Rush, Cello solo
• Hannah Schober, Trumpet solo
• Katie Schranz, Viola solo
• Hannah Shatzer, Oboe solo
• Natalie Stawarski, Violin solo
• Isaac Stevenson, Marimba solo
• Isaac Stevenson, Snare Drum solo
• Michael Walser, Alto Sax
• Lisa Witek, Bassoon solo

• Keyboard Percussion Ensemble: Emma Sassano, Ray Knoebel, Jonathan Rush
• Membrane Percussion Ensemble: Jamshed Jehangir, Jesse Backes, Dan McLeod, Andrew Kuikman
• Mixed Wind Ensemble: Emily Kirkegaard, Marie Kirkegaard
• Mixed Wind Ensemble: Emily Kirkegaard, Rania El-Kareh, Lisa Witek
• Wind/String Ensemble: Kristen Bergquist, Lauren Rush

Visiting Artist - Andrew Spencer

Andrew Spencer, currently holds the position of professor of
percussion at Central Michigan University. An active recitalist
and clinician, he has performed as a soloist in the United States,
Poland, Japan, Canada, and Costa Rica.

Professor Spencer was a guest clinician today at North High School,
working with three percussion classes throughout the day.

DGN Graduate plays the Grammy Awards

North High graduate Rusty Jehangir (Class of 2007) performed on the opening number of the 2008 Grammy Awards in Los Angeles, California, backing Grammy award-winning vocalist Alicia Keys. (See video below.) Following the ceremony Rusty performed for the Warner Brothers post-party.

Rusty, a double major in jazz studies and mechanical engineering at the University of Southern California, was interviewed this morning by Spike O'Dell on WGN Radio's Morning Show.

Scholastic Art Awards - Opening Reception

DGN Jazz with legend Jimmy Heath

Members of the North and South High Jazz Bands participated in clinics with the world-renown Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble, and visiting guest artist Jimmy Heath.

Jimmy Heath originally played alto saxophone but after the influence of Charlie Parker on his work for Howard McGhee and Dizzy Gillespie in the late 1940s, he earned the nickname "Little Bird" (Parker's nickname was Bird) and he switched to tenor sax. He was out of the music scene for several years in the 1950s, returned to work with Miles Davis in 1959 and then with Kenny Dorham and Gil Evans. He also recorded extensively. During the 1960s, he frequently worked with Milt Jackson and Art Farmer. In 1975, he and his brothers formed the Heath Brothers. Tootie dropped out of the group in 1978 but Jimmy, Percy and their sidemen stayed together until 1982 . Jimmy continued to work frequently following the break-up of this band.In the 1980's, he joined he faculty of the Aaron Copland School of Music at Queens College in the City University of New York. With the rank of Professor, he led the creation of the Jazz Program at Queens College and attracted many outstanding musicians, such as Donald Byrd to the campus. He also served on the Board of the Louis Armstrong Archives on campus and the restoration and management of the Louis and Lucille Armstrong Residence in Corona, Queens. Mr. Heath continued his association with the College until recently. In 2004, he was awarded an honorary Doctorate in Human Letters.

All-State Honors Ensembles

The 2008 All-State Honors Jazz Ensemble, Choir, Orchestra, and Band.

They're Playing Peoria

Eighteen student musicians are headed to the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Conference this week to participate in the All-State Bands, Choirs, Orchestras and Jazz Ensembles. North High's eighteen students places the school fourth in the state for total number of All-State musicians in 2007-2008.


Click here for a complete list of the 2007-08 All State musicians from North High.

Scholastics "Judging Day"

District 99 is playing host this year to the Chicago West Suburban
Regional Scholastics Art Competition. On January 26 visual art
adjudicators gathered to evaluate thousands of student art works from
across the region. Winning works will be displayed at North High the
week of February 10th, beginning that afternoon with a Gala opening
reception.

Jazz Cafe 2008 raises over $25,000 for New Orleans

The 2008 Jazz Cafe was a wonderful success, raising over $25,000 in
instrument donations to support the rebuilding of school music
programs in New Orleans.

North High Visual Artists takes “Best of Show” at the Elmhurst Art Museum Portfolio Exhibition

Two North High artists, Megan Degen and Allison Novak, have had their art portfolios selected for exhibition at the inaugural Elmhurst Art Museum Portfolio Exhibition.

Megan Degen’s work was selected for the coveted “Best In Show” award by the adjudicators. Megan will receive a one-year individual membership to the Elmhurst Art Museum, and a free summer session of life drawing classes at the museum.

Megan’s mentor teacher, Mrs. Barbara Hertko, stated that this is the first time a North High portfolio comprised primarily of jewelry and metalwork pieces has been selected for this kind of regional honor.

Further information regarding this special exhibition of high school student works from across the Chicago suburban region may be found at the museum’s website, ElmhurstArtMuseum.org.

Congratulations Megan and Allison!

DGN Choral Festival

Several hundred Middle School and Junior High School students joined
members of the North High Choirs this evening for the inaugural DGN
Choral Festival.

Purdue Jazz Fest '08

Congratulations to the members of the North High Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Combo on their outstanding performances at the 2008 Purdue Jazz Festival, held this past Saturday, January 19, in West Lafayette, IN.

The Jazz Combo was recognized with multiple awards, including the Outstanding Ensemble Award for their competition room, as well as the Judges Award, in recognition of their creativity, musicianship and programming. Kyle Stephens (Jazz Combo, Piano) was recognized as the outstanding individual pianist and was invited to share the stage with the All-Star Jazz Combo on the Saturday evening festival-culminating concert. Jamshed Jehangir (Jazz Combo, Drums) received one of only two scholarships awarded from the competition room.

The Jazz Ensemble was awarded a "Division I" rating in the Big Band category, and the Jazz Combo was awarded a "Division I" rating in the Combo category.

Other recognitions of note included the following "Outstanding Soloist" Awards presented to North High musicians:

• Adrian Cabrera (Jazz Ensemble, Trumpet)
• Michael Benning (Jazz Ensemble, Bass)
• Mark Dortwegt (Jazz Ensemble, Alto Sax)
• David Musselman (Jazz Ensemble, Alto Sax)
• Emma Sassano (Jazz Ensemble, Piano)
• Kyle Stephens (Jazz Ensemble, Piano)
• Michael Walser (Jazz Lab Band, Alto Sax)
• Josh Williams (Jazz Lab Band, Tenor Sax)

Featured video - Senior Kyle Stephens (Piano) performs with the All-Star Jazz Combo

DGN Alumni at Symphony Center

DGN Fine Arts alumni Natalie Lorch (Oboe) and Sarah Younker (French Horn) performed with the nationally renown University of Illinois Wind Symphony on the Orchestra Hall stage of Symphony Center on Wednesday, December 19th.

The University of Illinois Wind Symphony, Prof. James Keene, conductor.

Following the concert (from left to right) Bill Miller, Sarah Younker, and Brayer Teague.

A mosaic of Mosaic

Holiday Mosaic 2007

Members of the Auditorium Crew Technicians operate the lighting and sound boards during the annual Holiday Mosaic Concert. This year's Mosaic Art Show and Concert featured music and visual artwork from more than 800 students, and was seen by nearly 5000 people.

Chamber Choir performance at Hillcrest Elementary

Mosaic Art Show 2007

Congratulations to the faculty and students of the North High Fine Arts Department for a spectacular exhibition of two and three dimensional work in the 2007 Mosaic Art Show.


















Visual artist Meredith Vavra is pictured with her grandmother, Johanna Larson (Downers Grove High School Class of 1940), who was herself an artist in school and sang in A Cappella Choir.

Sophomore Singers - Santa Breakfast 2007

IMEA All-State Musicians Announced

Eighteen student musicians from Downers Grove North High School have been tapped by the Illinois Music Educator’s Association for All-State recognition. Auditions were held last October.

“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.”

In total, thirty-two student musicians were selected for All-State from Community High School District 99, the largest representation by any two-school district in the state.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 30 through February 2, 2008. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of February 1, and the afternoon of February 2, 2008.

All-State Band

Emily Kirkegaard – Oboe (Senior)

Kurt Meyer – Clarinet (Junior)

John O’Hara – Clarinet (Junior)

All-State Choir

Emma Bolam – Alto II (Senior)

Nathan Cornish – Tenor I (Senior)

Jane Duffy – Alto II (Junior)

Rania El-Kareh – Soprano (Senior)

Trevor Franger – Bass II (Senior)

Jordan Frank – Bass I (Junior)

Matthew Hall – Tenor I (Junior)

Hannah Hudson – Alto II (Senior)

All-State Orchestra

Chloe Burnham – Violin II (Sophomore)

Mark Dortwegt - Clarinet (Senior)

Jamshed Jehangir - Percussion (Senior)

Colette Mondragon – Violin II (Sophomore)

Lauren Rush – Cello (Senior)

Katie Schranz - Viola (Senior)

All-State Jazz Band

Kyle Stephens – Piano (Senior)

DGN Jazz Combo plays the North Pole

Members of the DGN Jazz Combo performed for children and parents as they disembarked from the "Polar Express" Metra Train today at the North Pole (Aurora, IL).