Thanksgiving Morning - DGN Fine Arts @BonfieldExpress 2015 #99Learns #WeAreDGN

Thank you to our terrific student volunteers who contributed in many ways to the success of the annual Bonfield Express.  Our vocal duet (National Anthem) and Jazz Combo (finish line music) were spectacular!

Hundreds of runners and walkers added just a few extra steps to their route and participated in our first-ever #BangAGong4theArts Detour!  @DGNFineArts appreciates the ongoing support of Arts Education in our community!

No Cook / Dine Out Event to Support DGN Fine Arts - December 1 @Panera

Join us at Panera (160 Ogden Avenue) on Tuesday, December 1, to support the DGN Fine Arts Boosters. Treat your family to a "no cook" evening on Tuesday, December 1st.  10-20% (depending on number of participants) of your bill will be donated directly to the DGN Fine Arts Boosters.

You may present the image embedded below on your smart-phone or tablet, or you may download and print out the flyer using Box.com below.

Please note this offer is good only at the Panera located at 160 Ogden Avenue, 4 - 8 PM on Tuesday, December 1, 2015.

#MrTurkey15 with Alumni Special Guest @murielanderson #99Learns

@dgnfinearts wishes all our DGN families a safe and enjoyable Thanksgiving holiday!

Welcome Home Muriel Anderson! #99Learns

Internationally acclaimed guitarist and musician Muriel Anderson visited North High School today, performing for all Band, Choir and Orchestra students, as well as giving a master class for the students enrolled in Guitar.

Ms. Anderson is a North High alumnus, and returns every Thanksgiving to share her experiences and musicianship with students, and, to encourage and promote attendance at her annual Homecoming Concert, which this year is on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 8:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School.  Special guest artist for this concert is rDaniel Champagne.  This is a concert you won't want to miss!

We are grateful to Ms. Anderson for sharing her expertise and talents with our students each year!

ILMEA District 1 Festival #99Learns #WeAreDGN

Congratulations to the 60 DGN music students who participated in the District 1 ILMEA Festival today at Elmhurst College! Despite the snowy weather, it was a very successful day full of wonderful music-making.


District 1 Orchestra, under the direction of Ms. Joanne May:

District 1 Choir, under the direction of Mr. Sean Ivory:

District 1 Band, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Peterson:

The 9-10 Chorus, under the direction of Mr. Lee Kessleman:

DGN Welcomes Dr. Stephen Peterson - University of Illinois #99Learns @IllinoisMusic @uofiadmissions @Illinois_Alma

The Downers Grove North High School Fine Arts and the DGN Bands were pleased and proud to welcome Dr. Steve Peterson to campus this afternoon.  Dr, Peterson is the recently appointed Director of Bands at the University of Illinois.

Dr. Peterson worked with the DGN Wind Ensemble on Percy Grainger's "Theme from Green Bushes," a work that the District 99 Honors Band will perform on tour this coming summer.  Dr. Peterson's workshop was both captivating and inspiring for our North High musicians, and lent insight into the opportunities that await students who may ultimately attend the University of Illinois.

Dr. Peterson will be in Elmhurst, IL this weekend serving as the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Honor Band Guest Conductor this weekend.

2015 See's Candy Sale - Orders Due this Friday!

The 2015 Fine Arts Booster's See's Candy Sale is up and running!  Orders are due at the end of this week, on Friday, November 20^th.  Order forms are to be turned in by the end of the school day in either the Band, Choir or Orchestra rooms. Visual Art students may return forms to the box outside Room 131 (Fine Arts Office).

See’s Candies make a fantastic gift for family, friends or business colleagues!

If you (or your child) forgot to bring home an order form, you may find additional forms online by clicking here.

DGN Hosts ILMEA District Jazz Festival #99Learns

Congratulations to the DGN community for hosting an exceptional Jazz Festival on behalf of the Illinois Music Education Association. Over 200 regional all-star musicians descended upon North High today for a series of educational clinics and culminating concert performances.

A special congratulations to our fourteen @dgnbands students who performed today, and thank-you to the dozens of parent and student volunteers who came together to execute countless details.

Honoring All Who Served #99Learns

The DGN Fine Arts Department joins the District 99 community and extends thanks to all Veterans for their service to country.

The 2015 DGN Veterans Assembly Program (Honoring All Who Served) is now available online. Congratulations to the DGN Men's Chorus on their performance of Homeland (09:15 in video) and to the combined DGN Wind Ensemble & A Cappella Choir on their performance of Honor To Serve (31:10 in video).

Click HERE, or on the image above, to view the video.

Two Visual Artists Garner Awards at NIU Art Invitational

Congratulations to DGN Visual Art students Jessie Novotny and Audrey Staron, who received Honorable Mention Awards at the Northern Illinois University High School Invitational Art Show.

The NIU High School Invitational Art Show brought together students from 35 Illinois schools. Media areas included photography, ceramics, drawing, painting, computer art, and jewelry.  Dick Blick sponsored the show, and awards were given for Honorable Mention, 3rd, 2nd, and 1st place.

Prior to the reception this weekend, NIU opened their art campus up to students and parents to attend workshops in print-making, paper-making, photography and design.  All workshops were hosted by NIU Graduate students and Professors.

Congratulations Jessie and Audrey!

Jessie Novotny - Honorable Mention

Audrey Staron - Honorable Mention

Marty Voelker Honored By IAEA as Secondary Art Educator of the Year

Congratulations to Mr. Voelker who today received the Illinois Secondary Art Educator of the Year Award presented by the Illinois Art Education Association. @DGNFineArts salutes "Fine Arty Marty!"

Honoring All Who Served

Congratulations and thanks are extended to the members of the DGN A Cappella Choir, Chamber Choir, Men's Chorus, and Wind Ensemble for your tremendous performances in the '2015 Honoring All Who Served' assembly program. Well done North High Musicians!

Fall Band Concert - Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Ensemble

Congratulations to our student musicians in Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for a great performance this evening!

ISU Madrigal Singers On Campus #99Learns

The Illinois State University Madrigal Singers performed a beautiful concert this morning for the DGN Concert Choir as a part of their Fall Tour.

Internationally Acclaimed Guitarist Muriel Anderson Homecoming Concert #99Learns

Internationally acclaimed artist Muriel Anderson returns to Downers Grove for her annual Homecoming Concert on Saturday, November 28, 2015 in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at North High School.  Featured guest artist will be the Australian sensation Daniel Champagne. Tickets are available online at MurielAnderson.com or by visiting Anderson's Bookstore.

D99 Fine Arts extends a special "thank you" to Ms. Anderson for annually returning to both campuses to work with student guitarists, consistently inspiring musicians to envision the possibilities that exist for performing artists.

Downers Grove Music Club - Notable Celebration of the Arts

The Downers Grove Music Club is hosting its annual benefit concert that supports music education in District 99 on Saturday November 14^th at 7 pm.  This event, A Notable Celebration of the Arts, is a music filled evening, including a performance by DGN’s very own, Amelia Smerz, a very talented cellist and recipient of one of the Music Club’s 2015 Rising Star awards.  In addition, the program will include professional local musicians who are donating their time and talent to support music education in District 99:  violinist Renee-Paule Gauthier, pianist Chris Garofalo, soprano Angela Presutti-Korbitz and guitarist Ron Korbitz.  The concert will be followed by a dessert reception and a silent auction.

More information and tickets are available at http://downersgrovemusicclub.org/2015benefit.html. High school and younger students are admitted free with a paying adult.  The Music Club relies on this event to fully fund the annual Rising Star and College Music Awards given each spring to deserving students in music at both Downers Grove North and South High Schools.  The Rising Star awards ($400 each) are given to up to 6 juniors, and the College Music awards ($1000 each) are given to up to 2 college bound seniors for the continuation of their musical studies.  Look for information on the application process that will be announced early in 2016.

DGN Fall Band Invitational Concert #99Learns

Congratulations to the Jefferson Junior High School Band, Westview Hills Middle School Gold Band, the DGN Concert Band & DGN Wind Ensemble, as well as guest soloist William Telephony, on a fabulous Fall Invitational Concert!

Don't Miss Two DGN Band Concerts This Week! #99Learns

 We have two DGN Band concerts this week!

Tuesday, November 3, 7 PM

Concert Band & Wind Ensemble (Call Time for students = 6:30 PM)

Thursday, November 5, 7 PM

Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band, & Jazz Ensemble (Call Time for students = 6:30 PM)

Do you have out-of town family or friends that would like to see the concert on a live-stream?  Or, would you like to see a re-broadcast yourself after attending the concert in person?  You can find our concerts here:

http://thecube.com/cube/dgn-fine-arts

*Concerts available for 30 Days*