NIU Jazz is in town tonight!

The great NIU Jazz Ensemble is on campus today holding a series of educational clinics with student musicians from DGN and DGS. Professor Ron Carter and the tenor sax legend Lew Tabacken spent time with our students this afternoon as a prelude to tonight's scheduled concert.

DGN Student Composers Honored

Congratulations to DGN musicians Kaitlin Shannon and Spencer Schillerstrom for earning awards in the 2012-13 Illinois All-State Music Composition Contest. All-State composers were honored this morning at the Apollo Theatre in Peoria, IL.

Congrats DGN All-State Jazzers!

Congratulations to Brett Latman and Spencer Schillerstrom for terrific performances at the Illinois Music Education Conference as they performed as members of the All-State Jazz Bands!

DGN Bands Find Sonic Success & Awards at the Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Bands for terrific performances at the 2013 Purdue University Jazz Festival. Three ensembles from DGN (Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo 1) earned prestigious Division 1 honors from a nationally acclaimed panel of music adjudicators.

In addition to group awards, 13 students earned a total of 20 Outstanding Solo Awards. Congratulations to:

Sam Fiala, Trumpet (2)
Justine Hung, Piano
Rob Kulik, Drums (2)
Brett Latman, Trumpet (2)
Kyle Lewandowski, Tenor Sax
Sam O'Neil, Trumpet (2)
Quinn Post, Tenor Sax (2)
Spencer Schillerstrom, Tenor Sax (3)
Bethany Schmurr, Trumpet
Amelia Smerz, Trombone
Thomas Svoboda, Bass
Evangeline Tuohy, Alto Sax & Flute
Joe Vitti, Trombone

DGN Band Alumnus to Participate in Presidential Inauguration

As President Barack Obama is sworn into his second term Tuesday, Downers Grove will have a familiar face in the crowd.

U.S. Air Force Technical Sgt. Kristen A. King, a 2002 graduate of Downers Grove North High School, is the principal clarinetist for the Air Force Concert Band, which is set to march in the 57th inaugural parade in Washington D.C.

Read all about it on the Patch.

DGN Jazz Ensemble @ FitzGerald's

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble for a tremendous performance tonight at the world famous FitzGerald's nightclub. Performing a 45 minute set, and opening for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band, DGN thrilled the audience which then reciprocated with an immediate and prolonged standing ovation.

On the eve of Final Exams there could not have been a more authentic (or affirming) performance assessment of the fabulous work the members of this fine ensemble have accomplished in the first semester. Bravo one and all!

Pep Band @ DGN Winter Classic

Images from Jazz Cafe 2013

Congratulations to the musicians of the DGN Jazz Ensemble, DGN Jazz Lab Band, Herrick Middle School Jazz Band and the Jefferson Junior High Friends of Jazz for a terrific evening of music!

Guest Artist Audrey Morrison - Jazz Cafe Prep

DGN is pleased to welcome Ms. Audrey Morrison (trombone) to campus this evening to work with the DGN Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Jazz Combo. Ms. Morrison, who currently serves as the Director of Jazz Studies at the Music Institute of Chicago, served as lead trombonist of the Chicago Jazz Ensemble for over 15 years and has performed at jazz venues all over the world, including Canada, Europe and the Middle East.

Ms. Morrison will be a featured soloist with the bands at the 20th Annual DGN Jazz Cafe. Join us tomorrow night, beginning at 6:30 PM in the DGN Student Cafe, for a wonderful evening of jazz. The concert is free; goodwill donations will be accepted to benefit two charities that strive to eradicate homelessness in DuPage County.