Bookmark THIS LINK and tune in to be one of the first to check out the DGN Winter Guard's production, "Freedom!"
Congratulations to Maddy, Gretchen, and Fine Arts faculty member Ms. Robyn Bican.
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 2021. 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?
Complete the application (fillable Google Form), which can be found HERE or at https://tinyurl.com/DGN-FOFA-SeniorScholarship2021. 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 24, 2021. 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 5th, 2021), 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:
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.
Submit the completed application by 11:59 PM, Wednesday, March 24, 2021. You will receive a confirmation email within 24 hours that your submission has been received. If you do not receive an email, please re-submit.
CLICK HERE to view a short message from Staff Sergeant Bowers, about the Inauguration performance.
The Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active professional musical organization. Founded in 1798, the band has performed for every U.S. president since John Adams. Known as “The President’s Own” since the days of Thomas Jefferson, the Marine Band’s mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps.
Staff Sergeant Kristin Bowers of Downers Grove, Ill., joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in May 2017.
Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Staff Sgt. Bowers performed with the South Bend Symphony in Indiana and served as principal clarinet in the United States Air Force Band in Washington, D.C., from 2011-17.
Staff Sgt. Bowers performs with the Marine Band and Marine Chamber Orchestra at the White House, in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area, and across the country during the band’s annual concert tour.
Recently, Staff Sgt. Bowers Bowers chatted with her high school band director, DGN Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague, and answered questions about her work with "The President's Own."
Teague: You auditioned into "The President's Own" United States Marine Band in 2017, so this is your first Inauguration as a member of the band. Previously, you were the Principal Clarinetist with the Air Force Band of Washington, D.C. Have you ever participated in official Inaugural events as a musician with the Air Force?
Bowers: I first participated in inaugural events in 2013 as a member of The United States Air Force Band. I was honored to march in the inaugural parade for the second inauguration of President Obama. I also had the privilege of performing at an inaugural ball that night, and vividly remember being just feet away from Stevie Wonder and Alicia Keys! I did not participate in the 2017 Inauguration--I watched from home as I took care of my infant daughter!
Teague: The mission of "The President's Own" is to perform for the President of the United States and the Commandant of the Marine Corps. I imagine that there is a great deal of professional pride that comes with each and every performance, but is the Inauguration a special or unique opportunity for the musicians of the United States Marine Band?
Bowers: There's nothing quite like performing for the Inauguration of a President. I am so greatly honored to be one of the few who will witness this historical event in person.
Teague: The Inaugural Ceremony is likely the most public and most watched of the band's performances. What are some other important performances that are a part of the band's mission, but maybe less-seen by the general public?
Bowers: Many of our most important performances happen inside the White House! Members of The President's Own are present for almost every historic event that occurs at the White House. Whether it is a State Dinner, bill signing, important speech or reception--the Marine Band is there! The Marine Band also performs Full Honors Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring the deceased service men and women of the United States Marine Corps. The President's Own takes great pride in presenting free concerts to the public throughout the DC area and across the country. Some of our most rewarding work is participating in educational outreach programs which provide us the opportunity to connect with music students of all ages.
Teague: COVID-19 has significantly changed the traditional ways in which musicians are able to come together and rehearse. How has this impacted "The President's Own" protocols for rehearsing in preparation for the Inauguration this year?
Bowers: Honestly, it has been wonderful and somewhat surreal to be rehearsing as a large band for this event. All members of the band were tested for COVID-19 before rehearsals began. We have subsequently been tested twice for entrance into the Inauguration dress rehearsal and main event. Our chairs are placed in a socially distanced setup, and the most directional instruments have plexi glass between rows. We also rehearse for only 40 minutes before taking a break to allow aerosols to disperse.
If you are interested in continuing your Fine Arts studies this summer at a music, theatre, or visual art camp/workshop, and would benefit from financial assistance to attend, please consider applying for a scholarship from the DGN Friends of Fine Arts, which annually supports $8,000 - $10,000 in Summer Study Grants to student musicians, thespians and visual artists.
Congratulations to DGN Band members Carissa Blumka (Drum Major), Raegan Novak (Flute), and Owen Nystrom (Bassoon) on their involvement in the Virtual Marching Band performance "The Constant", presented by Virtual Arts, INC. These students demonstrated extra musical commitment in the fall, and the final product of their work, and the work of over 3000 members, was presented recently on YouTube. Click HERE to view the performance.
Please enjoy THIS Holiday Audio Card from the members of our DGN Choirs Select Ensembles (Chamber Choir, Treble Ensemble & Concert Singers).
Want a sneak peek? HERE is a short trailer.
DGN-FOFA has selected 32 movies (with many excellent ones not making the list) that we have divided into four groups and which we hope will make for a fun movie bracket experience.
Please complete and return your bracket by Saturday, December 19th to be entered into a raffle for a small prize. Another prize will be given to the eventual winner. Voting for your favorites will begin next week! Students, parents, and siblings, are welcome to participate.
Click HERE to download your bracket, and read additional instructions.
Have fun with the bracket and have a safe and relaxing winter break.
Happy Holidays,
DGN FOFA
