Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from DGN Fine Arts Faculty & Staff!

DGN Trombones @ Chicago Christ Kindle Market

Endeavoring to spread holiday cheer, members of the DGN Trombone section independently organized a performance at Chicago's Christ Kindle Market today in Daley Plaza.  

 

 

 

Brayer Teague Presents "The Paperless Music Tour: iPads, the Cloud and Social Media" at Midwest Clinic in Chicago

Congratulations to Brayer Teague for a very successful, very insightful presentation on the uses of cloud computing and social media technologies as they relate to student travel and music program administration.  We, in the North High Fine Arts community, are all familiar with these technologies of course - as they have been integrated into many facets of our music and visual arts programs.  It was exciting to see so many music educators from around the United States (and the world!) come to learn from Mr. Teague this morning with the intention of adding these exciting technologies to their own teaching and music programs.

Congratulations Mr. Teague!

IMEC Preparation with Don Owens

Last spring the DGN Jazz Ensemble was honored with an invitation to perform this coming January (2014) at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria.  Students continue their work in preparing music for that important performance, and tonight the band welcomed Northwestern University Professor Emeritus, Don Owens, as a guest jazz mentor.  Mr. Owens, who was Mr. Teague's Jazz mentor at Northwestern University, is the fifth of seven guest-conductors who have agreed to serve as mentors to the band leading up to the January 23rd performance.  

Every member of the band thoroughly enjoyed working with Professor Owens tonight, and the sonic improvement in the band's interpretation of the 'conference set' was a testament to their collective respect for his knowledge, as well as his masterful teaching style.

Thank you, D. O., for inspiring us with your musicianship, intellect, and keen sense of humor.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like #dgnmosaic2013!

Don't miss the 2013 Holiday Mosaic, presented by the Downers Grove North High School Fine Arts Department!

5:30 & 8:00 PM

Free & Open to the Public. 

#dgnmosaic2013

 

 

Mosaic Preview 2013 - #dgnmosaic2013

You will not want to miss the 2013 DGN Holiday Mosaic Concert!  Tuesday, December 10th at 5:30 and 8:00 PM.  Admission is free and open to the public, but get there early to get a seat!  500 student musicians from Downers Grove North High School will fill your soul with the spirit of the season.  4436 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL.  #dgnmosaic2013

DGN Jazz @ Mullens

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble on a terrific performance tonight at Mullen's in Lisle!  The band played an exciting and musical 45 minute opening set for the Pete Ellman Big Band.  

 

 

 

 

DGN Band Alumnus Kristin (King) Bowers - Jesu Joy!

DGN alumnus Kristin (King) Bowers is the Principal Clarinetist for the renown United States Air Force Band of Washington, D.C.  Recently the band performed in a 'Flash Mob' at the National Air and Space Museum.  Enjoy the wonderful holiday spirit of this performance; it's fun to think that Kristin got her start with "Jesu" at the DGN Mosaic Concert years ago!

Marching Band @ DG Gingerbread Festival & Tree Lighting

Thank you to the members of the Trojan Marching Band that performed today in the Downtown Downers Grove Gingerbread Festival and Tree Lighting ceremony. The band's performance brought smiles to many faces and helped ring in the holiday season with great fanfare.

A special thanks is extended to all of our student leaders who helped with the movement of equipment both to and from the performance tonight. Great job everyone!

Reminders: Marching Band Performance Today!

The Trojan Marching Band performs this afternoon at the DG Tree Lighting Ceremony.  Details are included here in the attached image.

If any student has realized that they left a part of their uniform, instrument, or music at school - and need to pick up something at the school prior to the performance - Mr. Teague will be at school between 2:50 and 3:10 PM.  Please enter the building through the stadium entrance on the west side of the building.

IMEC Preparation with Stacy Williams-Jackson

Last spring the DGN Jazz Ensemble was honored with an invitation to perform this coming January (2014) at the Illinois Music Education Conference in Peoria.  Students continue their work in preparing music for that important performance, and tonight the band welcomed Lincoln-Way Central High School Music Department Chairperson, Orchestra and Jazz Director Stacy Williams-Jackson, as guest jazz mentor.  Ms. Williams-Jackson is the fourth of seven guest conductors who have agreed to serve as mentors to the band leading up to the January 23rd performance.  

Heading into the Thanksgiving holiday, it is not a stretch to say that the members of the band were very "thankful" for the opportunity to learn from Ms. Williams-Jackson, and to hear her input and suggestions for future musical growth and improvement.  Thank you, Ms. Williams-Jackson, for being with us at DGN!

Thankful for World Class Guest Artists

Today the DGN Fine Arts Department is pleased to welcome international
trumpet virtuoso Carlos Zabala (carlosmzabala.com), and professional
Chicago-based trombonist Catie Hickey, foe a series of master classes
with our band students.

Mr. Zabala, the first ever citizen of Uruguay to earn a Bachelors
Degree in Trumpet Performance, shared many inspiring stories about his
musical upbringing in South America, as well as his beautifully rich
and vibrant brass sound. It has been a distinct pleasure to have Mr.
Zabala and Ms. Hickey on campus today as guest artists.

Music Celebrated at District Festival

Congratulations to our District 99 honored musicians for their outstanding and inspiring performances this afternoon at the ILMEA District 1 Music Festival.

Appreciation and thanks are also extended to our District 99 Fine Arts Faculty, many of whom volunteer countless hours of service each year to the ILMEA. Faculty currently serving in ILMEA leadership roles include:

Bill Miller - District 1 Audition Recording Engineer

Jennifer Mullen - District 1 Orchestra Co-Chair

Beth O'Riordan - District 1 Choral Co-Chair

Craig Roselieb - State Vice-President, Jazz Division

Glenn Williams - District 1 Jazz Division Chair

ILMEA District Festival Underway

District 99 is represented in impressive fashion at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Music Festival. Through competitive auditions held last month, dozens of DGN and DGS student musicians earned the honor and distinction of performing with the All-District Band, Choir and Orchestra this weekend. Congratulations to all our Trojan and Mustang stand-outs!

Fall Band Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to the members of the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Lab Band for their wonderful performances this evening. Each ensemble performed challenging literature with a high degree of musicianship and poise.

We also extend thanks to all the families who assisted in the coordination of the post concert reception.

Well done DGN Bands and families!

The Stage Is Set ...

... for a wonderful evening of music at tonight's DGN Band Fall Concert. Join us at 7 PM for performances by the Symphonic Band, Concert Band, and Jazz Lab Band!

DGN Bands Invitational Concert

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Wind Ensemble for their display of outstanding musicianship at this evening's Fall Band Concert.

A special thanks and congratulations is extended to the Jefferson Junior High Band and the Westview Hills Middle School Band for their performances tonight and participation in our annual "invitational." We look forward to welcoming many of these fine musicians to the ranks of the DGN Band in the years to come!

Two Band Concerts = Two Live Webcasts

The Fine Arts Department is pleased to present two DGN Band concerts this week.

The first, on Tuesday, November 19, will feature the Wind Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble, as well as special guest performances by the Jefferson Junior High School Band and the Westview Hills Middle School Band.

The second, on Thursday, November 21, will feature the Symphonic Band, Concert Band and Jazz Lab Band.

Both concerts will be webcast on High School Cube.  Family and friends who are unable to be with us in Downers Grove may view and listen to these concerts from remote locations using the following links:

Tuesday, November 19 - 7:00 PM

Thursday, November 21 - 7:00 PM

Congratulations on a Great Season!!

Congratulations and Thank You to the Trojan Band who gave their all this afternoon in all facets of their performance at the Elite 8 Playoff matchup against Mt. Carmel High School.  Despite the rain, wind, and missing several fellow band members to the ILMEA Jazz Festival and DGN Snowball events, the band represented our school in their typical first-class fashion by playing and cheering with energy and enthusiasm.

A big thank you also to Mt. Carmel Band Director Bob Keeley.  It was an honor to have him conduct the Trojan Band during Pre-Game and to have the Mt. Carmel band at the game.

Finally, Congratulations to our Trojan Football Team for an exciting football season.  Thank you, as always, for your support of the band.  We look forward to another exciting and successful season next year.  (But first we're going to dry off a bit!)

DGN Jazzers @ ILMEA District Jazz Fest

DGN has an impressive thirteen student musicians performing today at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Jazz Festival where they are working with some of the most acclaimed jazz educators and performers in the United States. Congratulations to our DGN Jazzers for earning All-District Honors through competitive auditions last month. We wish you great success in tonight's concert, and applaud your ongoing commitments to jazz and the arts as a whole.