"Artist uses more than a paintbrush" - from July 15 Reporter/Progress

DGN visual art alumnus and U of I Art Education major Joe Anderson was recently featured in a Reporter/Progress article. Click here to read it.

Rain Can't Dampen Spirit of Independence

Congratulations and thank you to the members of the District 99 Summer Marching Band for two great performances in community parades today. Members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band and the DGS Marching Mustangs joined forces for the Darien and Downers Grove Independence Day Parades. Great work everyone!

Tweet from DGN Fine Arts (@DGNFineArts)

http://twitter.com/DGNFineArts/status/2301201696

"DCI Champs "Phantom Regiment" to practice @DGN Sat. Open rehearsal
1-4PM. This is a 'must see' for fans of marching bands & drum corps!!"
- DGN Fine Arts (@DGNFineArts)

BT

Drum Majors attend 'Music For All' Leadership Training

DGN Trojan Marching Band Drum Majors are attending the "Music For All" Summer Symposium this week. Seven days of intensive training kicked off on Saturday with the Leadership Weekend.

Follow the Music For All Summer Symposium Blog here.

Sporting her DGN Music Florida Tour t-shirt, Drum Major Emily Daugherty enjoys the opportunity to meet students from all over the United States.

Chamber Choir Farewell Concert

Congratulations to the members of the 2008-09 Chamber Choir for their incredibly musical Farewell Concert. Family, friends, and DGN alumni joined the choir for an evening filled with reflections and musicianship. Over 25 Chamber Choir Alumni joined the choir on stage for the Finale.

Jazz In The (Auditorium) Park

Inclement weather precipitated a venue change, however, the excellence of jazz performance in District 99 remained undaunted last evening. The DGN and DGS Jazz Lab Bands and Jazz Ensembles performed in addition to the D99 All-Star Band directed by Bill Miller and Craig Roselieb. Highlights included mambo dancers, vocalists, and faculty guest artists from both campuses.

Special thanks to the Downers Grove Park District for their continued support of this event, which kicks-off the Tuesday night Concerts in the Park series in Downers Grove.

Tonight's Jazz In The Park Concert Moved

This evening's Jazz In The Park Concert has been moved to the North High School Auditorium, 4436 Main Street, 60515. The concert will begin, as scheduled, at 6:30 PM. Food vendors will not be selling this evening.

We hope to see you tonight for a great evening of jazz!

DGN Band Honors, Remembers on Memorial Day

Nearly 150 members of the DGN Bands participated in the Downers Grove Memorial Day Parade and Memorial Ceremony at Fishel Park today. Thank you to all the band members who volunteered their time on this holiday weekend for this important performance. More importantly, thank you to the brave men and women of the United States Air Force, Amy, Coast Guard, Marines, and Navy, for their bravery and sacrifice on behalf of our country.

2009 Graduation Concert

Congratulations to the members of the A Cappella Choir and the Wind Ensemble for a wonderful 'Graduation Concert.' Both ensembles performed beautifully and treated the audience to incredible musicianship. A special thanks to the Class of 2009!

The 28th Annual Congressional Art Competition – “An Artistic Discovery”

Initiated by Members of the U. S. House of Representatives in 1982, this event is a nationwide art competition that allows high school students from the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories to showcase their artistic ability. The winning piece from each congressional district is displayed in an exhibit in the U.S. Capitol.

The 13^th District show is sponsored by Congresswoman Judy Biggert, a member of the Education and Labor; Financial Services; and Science and Technology Committees.

This year, Downers Grove North High School students were honored with all three top awards:

Senior Stephanie Koblich received 3^rd prize for her drawing “The Siege”. This piece will hang in Congresswoman Biggert’s Willowbrook office during the next year.

Sophmore Elizabeth Havenga received 2^nd prize for her watercolor painting “Nina’s Legacy”. Her artwork will hang in Congresswoman Biggert’s Washington D.C. office during the next year.

Senior Dave Schmitt received 1^st prize for his digital photography collage “Urban Border”. Southwest Airlines will provide David with three complementary round trip tickets to Washington D.C. for the award ceremony. Dave’s photo will hang in the U.S. Capitol, with the other district winners, during the next year. This same photo graces the cover of this year's Northwind literary magazine.

All work is currently on display at the Fountaindale Public Library, 300 West Briarcliff Road, Bolingbrook, IL.

A closing reception will be held Sunday, May 24^th, at 2:00 p.m.

Congratulations to our North High Artists, and their teachers, for this incredible success!

Senior Art Exhibition

The Fine Arts Department is pleased to recognize our most dedicated senior artists in a special exhibition that features outstanding portfolios. Visually stunning two and three dimensional works are currently on display in the Main Street Lobby of North High. Many of these works received Scholastic Art recognition/awards this year, or were a part of AP Portfolios. Congratulations Class of 2009!

District 99 Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Concert Orchestra, the District 99 Symphonic Orchestra, Mrs. Branch and Ms. Mullen for a tremendous musical performance on Monday evening. Both orchestras played with energy and passion.

A special thank you to the seniors who were playing their final concert with the orchestras, and to Mrs. Branch, for her years of service to District 99.

Band Awards Banquet

Over 400 students and family members enjoyed a memorable evening at the historic Willowbrook Ballroom on Saturday evening, as DGN Bands celebrated another successful year.















Members of the student Band Board pose for a picture on Saturday afternoon in he midst of decorating the hall.














Mr. Miller, and his daughter, warm up the dance floor just before guests begin arriving.















The senior 'mock awards' are presented to the Class of 2009.

Orchestra Banquet & Upcoming Concert

The District 99 Orchestra celebrated another successful year of music making last Friday night at the annual Orchestra Banquet. Students in all grade levels were recognized for their musical accomplishments. The students, as well as the DGS Friends of Fine Arts and the DGN Music Boosters presented Mrs. Branch with special gifts and remembrances to commemorate her time here in District 99.

The final D99 Orchestra concert of the year will be performed in the South High Auditorium this coming Monday evening, May 18, at 7:00 PM.

A Night At The Oscars

Congratulations to the students of the North High Choirs for a tremendous 2009 DGN Choral Showcase. The Freshman Choir, Concert Choir, Treble Choir, Freshman Ensemble, Concert Singers and Treble Ensemble were all featured in a production that spanned many decades of Oscar nominated and Oscar winning songs from the motion picture industry.

May Band Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, DGN Symphonic Band, and senior soloist Jesse Backes, for a terrific concert this evening.


















Earlier this morning students rehearse with harpist Hannah Young.
























This evening timpanist Emily Mitchka contributes to the ensemble's powerful sound.

Fremd 4x5 Show - 1st place to DGN!

Congratulations to DGN visual artist Jackie Maish, for her 1st Place Relief in the Fremd High School 4x5 Art Show. Jackie's work, Etched Copper/Tube Rivets, is an exquisite example of the terrific work our students produce each semester.

Congratulations to all six DGN artists who received recognition in this year's Fremd show.

DOWNERS GROVE NORTH AWARD WINNERS:

RELIEF CATEGORY
1^st Prize Jackie Maish

DRAWING CATEGORY
3^rd Prize: Stephanie Koblich

Honorable Mention: Bernadette Calvino & Sarah Ghanayem




COMPUTER ART CATEGORY
Honorable Mention: Fran Vernaschi


PHOTOGRAPHY CATEGORY
Honorable Mention: Dave Schmitt

2009 Spring Art Show Opening

Congratulations to the student artists who have work on display in the 2009 North High Spring Art Show. The show opened this evening, and runs through Friday, May 8.

Flower Sale 2009

Many thanks are extended to the DGN Music Boosters for their incredible work on the 2009 Flower Sale. Thousands or dollars were raised to support the arts in our community.

Thank you to the students and parents who arrived at 6 AM this morning to help unload the truck and prepare orders for pick up.




And a very special thank you to Laura and Dan Cozza who have co-chaired our Flower Sale for many years. We will miss you next year! (Pictured with John and Marianne Moscato, Music Booster President.)

Northshore Concert Band performs in District 99

The world-renown Northshore Concert Band, under the direction of Dr. Mallory Thompson, performed a concert this afternoon in the DGS Auditorium. The concert, made possible through various educational grants, was free and open to the general public. Twelve student musicians, representing Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, Herrick Middle School and O'Neil Middle School, joined the NSCB on stage for the final two selections.

Congratulations to all of our DGN students who participated!