Santa Wants A Tuba For Christmas (Video)

Developing a Commission

Composer Don Owens was back on campus yesterday, working with three percussion soloists who will be featured in May of 2010 on a work commissioned by North High School.  The world-premiere of Triple Set for Wind Ensemble and Percussion Soloists is slated for May 20th at the annual 'Graduation Concert.'

Marching Band in DG Holiday Parade

H. ROBERT JACOBS - District 99 Fine Arts says good-bye to a good friend ...

It was with sadness that we learned this weekend of the passing of H. Robert Jacobs.  Bob, as the District 99 Music Team knew him, was a community activist extraordinaire, and a dedicated member of the local Kiwanis Club.



Through this organization Mr. Jacobs developed - in consort with then DGS Band Director Alan Roselieb - the International Music Exchange Program between the District 99 schools and the Musikschule of Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany.

Mr. Jacobs supported the music exchange program for nearly twenty-five years, hosting visitors from Germany on many occasions, and developing close friendships with many citizens of Bietigheim-Bissingen. 

Here Mr. Jacobs is seen in June of 2008, meeting with the members of the District 99 Honors Band just moments before the students boarded buses for O'Hare and their plane to Europe.  His message of friendship and compassion was always appreciated and inspiring.  He was quick to recognize and point out to our students that "music knows no borders." 

We will miss Mr. Jabob's very much, and District 99 sends deepest condolences to his family.


Click here, or on the image below to view a 10 min. video documentary of the music exchange program that Mr. Jacobs helped establish.

 







From the Chicago Tribune:

H. Robert Jacobs, age 83, beloved husband of Grace E. Jacobs, nee Kinsey, loving father of Susan K. (Robert M.) Zoelle, Richard L. Jacobs, Theresa M. (Scott A.) Beck, Robert C. (Pamela L.) Jacobs, John M. (Arlene L.) Jacobs and Thomas A. Jacobs, cherished grandfather of Marc, Bradley, Kristin, Joseph, Alexandra, Marissa, Logie, John Robert, Hannah, Clare, Rachel, Jared and Emma Grace, great-grandfather of Ryan Grace, brother of Richard A. (Marti) Jacobs and Marianne (Patrick) Hogan, fond uncle of many nieces and nephews. Visitation Monday 3 to 8p.m. Funeral Tuesday 9:15 a.m. from Adams-Winterfield & Sullivan Funeral Home, 4343 Main St., (1 blk. S. of Ogden Ave.) Downers Grove to St. Mary of Gostyn Church Mass 10 a.m. Interment Clarendon Hills Cemetery. Memorials to University of Illinois - College of ACES, Jonathan Baldwin Turner Scholarship Program I Jacobs Kinsey Scholarship Endowment Fund., 115 ACES LIBRARY, 1301 W. Gregory Drive, Urbana, IL 61801. Phone # 217-244-9150.

Video of Marching Band in Parade

Click on the image to be redirected to WGN-TV and video of the television broadcast.

Cookie Monster Eats School Bus

Yesterday, before the parade, a couple of students asked me if I would take a picture of the "Cookie Monster" because they didn't have a camera with them.  Jokingly, I told them that they could just do a "Google Image Search" when they got home, and they would find thousands of pictures of the Cookie Monster.  (They didn't really think this was funny or a good idea.)  Truthfully, I planned to take the picture for them, but got distracted by a slightly more pressing issue, and forgot.

DGN was the very first marching band in the parade, and we finished long before many groups had started up State Street.  As our buses were leaving for Downers Grove, and stopped at a light waiting to cross the parade route at the next break, I snapped this picture.  I call it, "Cookie Monster Eats School Bus."  I'll bet you can't find THIS one on Google (yet).

Thanksgiving with the DGN Band

We are "Thankful" for the wonderful work ethic and musical performance exhibited by the members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band this morning.  The band performed in the McDonalds Thanksgiving Day Parade for an audience estimated to be well over 200,000 spectators (and millions on television).

Gearing Up for the Thanksgiving Day Parade

Members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band spent time on Monday afternoon
preparing for their national television performance on Thanksgiving
morning. Be sure to tune-in to WGN-TV (or WGN-TV HD) on Thursday
morning to see the DGN Band. We are expected to pass the 'TV ZONE' at
approximately 9:00 AM CST.

Fall Band Concert (Nov. 19)

Congratulations to the members of the Jazz Lab Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Symphonic Band on a great concert this evening!

Giving Tree Donations

We would like to thank the members of the DGN Bands for their generous giving over the past week.  In the past five days students have donated $984.23 to support needy familes during the holidays. 

Congratulations, students, on your accomplishment and thank you for your heartfelt generosity!

Fall Band Concert (Nov. 17)

Congratulations to the members of the Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Ensemble for their terrific performances on this evening's Fall Band Concert!

"Build An Instrument" Project Presentations

Congratulations to the members of Mr. Miller's classes who presented
their new instruments in class today!

Marching Band Salutes Seniors

The 2009 Football Season concluded on Friday evening with a muddy loss to conference rival Glenbard West.  But the cold wet weather could not dampen the spirits of the Trojan Marching Band, especially the Class of 2010, who appeared in their final football game performance. 

Congratulations to all the members of the Trojan Marching Band for a great season.  The community looks forward to seeing you again - on Thanksgiving morning - at the McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL.

Band O Rama 2009

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band, as well as
the Athenas and Cheerleaders for great performances at the 2009 Band-O-
Rama!

Composer Returns to Campus

Composer Don Owens was back on campus this past week to check-in with several students who will be performing major segments of his new concerto for percussion trio and harp.  Professor Owens, pictured here with harpist Hannah Young, is working on a piece that will be debuted by the DGN Wind Ensemble in May of 2010.

London 2011 Tour Orientation Meeting / Tour Blog Launched

A new London 2011 Tour Blog has been launched to provide DGN Band students (current and future) with pertinent information relative to the 2010-2011 performance invitation. Click on the logo above (or here) to be redirected.

Parents/guardians of students who anticipate being enrolled in the DGN Band during the 2010-2011 academic year will be receiving - by email - an invitation to attend a Tour Orientation meeting on Wednesday, October 21, 2009 (7 PM), in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Details will be distributed electronically to families by October 1.