Host Family Weekend!

District 99 Music Host Families have enjoyed the opportunity to show our guests from Germany around the Chicago area this weekend.  Here are some some images shared from many of the host families.

Click on any of the images below to access the full album of nearly 60 images from our hosts.

Welcome Luncheon

District 99 music host-families gathered this afternoon for a group lunch with our guests from the Bietigheim-Bussingen Musikschule. Thank you to our host families for bringing delicious food and providing a very positive welcome.

Music Exchange - A New Chapter Begins!

This evening District 99 welcomed students from the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule (Germany) as they arrived at O'Hare International Airport and transferred to Downers Grove.  

A special thanks is extended to the students, parents, and faculty who helped make our guests - many who are visiting the United States for the first time - feel welcome.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District 99 Cultural and Music Exchange

The world is about to become a smaller place for students in District 99 and the community of Downers Grove.

Next Wednesday evening, April 16^th (7 PM), students from the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule (Germany) will present a wonderful concert in our community.  These students – who are arriving on April 11 to spend the next week in “home stays” with District 99 families, are continuing a rich cultural and musical tradition shared between our community and that of Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.  Historical highlights of this exchange follow at the end of this announcement.

When our District 99 music students have traveled to Germany on past tours, they have always been privileged to perform for large/appreciative audiences.  There is nothing that can help a student music ensemble feel more welcomed or appreciated than the response of a community to come out and support their efforts.  With this in mind, we are asking our community to please thoughtfully consider attending this concert, and supporting these wonderful student musicians from Germany.

Details of the concert may be found in the poster above.

We hope to see you, your family and friends, at the Tivoli next Wednesday night, at 7:00 PM.  The concert is FREE and open to the community, so please invite your neighbors as well!

EXCHANGE BACKGROUND HIGHLIGHTS:

The cultural exchange that we enjoy today is the product of almost 30 years of ongoing musical tours between the District 99 schools and the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule. 

1985:   Mr. Bob Jacobs of the Downers Grove Morning Kiwanis Club was contacted by a Kansas City area Kiwanis Club, inquiring about the possibility of finding a high school music program that would host a German student band from Bietigheim-Bissingen.  Mr. Jacobs then contacted Mr. Alan Roselieb, the music teacher at Downers Grove South High School.  Mr. Roselieb coordinated the first visit of the German students to the Downers Grove area.

      1993:   District 99 sends first music ensembles to visit Germany and participate in the exchange.  Student participants included the band from Downers Grove South and the District 99 Orchestra.  Tour directors included Mr. Alan Roselieb, Mr. Pat Annelo, and Mr. Craig Roselieb.

      1997:   Second District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. Craig Roselieb and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2001:   Third District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Mr. Ronald Hornish, Mr. Craig Roselieb, and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2005:   Fourth District 99 tour to Germany. Student participants included the band from Downers Grove North and the District 99 Orchestra. Tour directors included Mrs. Anne Branch, Mr. William Miller, and Mr. Brayer Teague.

      2008:   Fifth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is an honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Mr. Craig Roselieb, Mr. Brayer Teague, and Mr. Glenn Williams.

      2010:   Sixth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors orchestra made up of students from both North and South High Schools. Tour directors included Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. William Miller, Mr. Ronald Hornish.

      2012:   Seventh District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors band made up of students from both North and South High Schools.  Tour directors included Mr. William Miller, Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. Craig Roselieb, Mr. Brayer Teague, and Mr. Glenn Williams.

      2014:   Upcoming - Eighth District 99 tour to Germany.  The ensemble is a District 99 honors orchestra made up of students from both North and South High Schools.  Tour directors include Ms. Jennifer Mullen, Mr. Gregory Hensel, and Mr. Craig Roselieb.

District 99 has hosted many different Musikschule tours over the past 30 years, including multiple visits by their concert band, string orchestra, guitar orchestra, recorder ensemble, and accordion band.  Our District 99 Administration and our Downers Grove Village Government has been very supportive of welcoming these guests.

DGN Music Booster Summer Camp Scholarships

The DGN Music Boosters provide Summer Music Camp Scholarships for North High student musicians (current Freshman, Sophomores and Juniors) who will engage in music camp activities this June, July and August.  

Applications are easy to complete, and available online.  The due-date to complete the application is Friday, April 25th.  

You may access the application for this scholarship by clicking here.  

http://tinyurl.com/DGNMusicBoosterScholarships

We encourage any DGN Freshman, Sophomore or Junior who will be attending a summer music camp to fill out the application so we can work to support your efforts!

DGN Choir Performance at Grace Cathedral

Putting The Pieces Together

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Winter Guard on their season-culminating performance this weekend at the Midwest Color Guard Circuit Championships, held at LaPorte High School (Indiana).  The DGN squad finished 6th, placing in the top half of their competitive class.

We extend our thanks and appreciation to the 2013-14 Winter Guard - and coach Kelly Coffman - for their dedication and hard work this year.  It was a great competitive season that showcased substantial growth for the entire team.  Congratulations Trojans; we are very proud of you!

 

 

San Francisco State, Sunshine and Fisherman's Wharf

Choir Tour Departure Day

Wishes for safe and enjoyable travel are extended to the DGN Choir as they embark today on their 2014 Tour to San Francisco, California!

Symphonic Band @ Wentz Concert Hall

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Symphonic Band for a great performance this evening at Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

Congratulations to the student soloists and the ensembles for being selected to participate in the 2014 District 99 Honors Vocal Recital this evening at Gloria Dei Church in Downers Grove.

Initiated over 20 years ago, the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital showcases the finest vocal musicians in District 99 in an annual collaborative performance. This event symbolizes what is best in District 99 - it is collaborative, it is predicated on excellence, and it is all about students.

Leading up to this recital, both South and North High Schools hold independent vocal festivals. These festivals, held during the school day, are adjudicated by professional musicians and teachers from outside of District 99. The expert panel of adjudicators provide each student performing event with immediate formative feedback, and, with a score based on the quality of their performance. Each school then holds a run-off competition, where the best events are selected by the panel of adjudicators to perform on the District 99 Honors Vocal Recital. In total, more than 150 chamber music events are adjudicated during the Vocal Festivals at North and South High Schools.

In addition to the District 99 team of teachers working with the student musicians, a superior staff of private voice teachers coach and accompany the student singers through the performance preparation process at both South and North High Schools. These teachers are integral to the student success manifested during this recital.

Congrats to the following North High Students: Liam Rowley, Elise Cismesia, Tim Berberich, Maggie Maloney, Fred Zimmerman, Abby Huskisson, Zach Ligmanowski, Rachel Davis, Anna Burton, Elizabeth Brunell and the North High Chamber Choir.

Arts Merge at DGN Band March Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble, for terrific performances this evening at the March Band Concert.

Special thanks are extended to Professor Daniel J. Farris (Northwestern University) for joining the DGN Bands tonight as visiting artist and guest conductor.  

Highlights of the concert included senior solos by Joseph Pacheco and Lucy Lu.  Additionally, DGN visual artists Brook Pryor and Livija Rainyte created a beautiful painting - live - as they interpreted Samuel Hazo's "Blue and Green Music" (inspired by the Georgia O'Keeffe oil painting of the same name). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tonight's Band Concert on the High School Cube

Out of town tonight and wishing you could be with us at DGN for the March Band Concert?  You're in luck.  This evening's concert will be streamed live, beginning shortly before 7 PM. *

Click here for the live stream.

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/2013-14-march-band-concert-340553




* High School Cube has experienced server problems in the past 24 hours. We have been told that the servers are fixed, but caution viewers that the stream may cut in and out at times.

San Francisco Prep for DGN Tour Choir

The DGN Choir departs on their San Francisco Tour in just one week! Lots of great sounds are coming from Pohlmann Hall this afternoon as students are preparing for what is sure to be a terrific musical journey.

Why would there be an art studio set up for tonight's Band concert?

Interesting question.  You'll have to come listen (and watch!) to find out!

7:00 PM tonight!

Clarence Johnson Auditorium

Concert Band - Symphonic Band - Wind Ensemble

Guest Conductor - Daniel J. Farris (Northwestern University)

DGN Bands were pleased to welcome Professor Daniel J. Farris (Northwestern University) to campus today.  Professor Farris worked with Concert Band, Symphonic Band, and Wind Ensemble in preparation for Thursday evening's "March Band Concert."  

Thank you, Professor Farris, for sharing your musicianship with us today!