Happy Halloween from @dgnbands

Giving Tree - @dgnbands Raises $1,540!

Your generosity is heartwarming and a testament to the wonderful people that make up the DGN Bands!

Here are the totals in giving, by band class:

First Place: Wind Ensemble.  $806.03 ($12.59 / per student average)
Second Place: Concert Band. $442.42 ($9.03 / per student average)
Third Place: Symphonic Band. $292.09 ($3.40 / per student average)


In all, the DGN Bands raised $1,540.54 to support the Giving Tree!  

Giving Tree - Day 2 Totals - Concert Band Still Leads! #CouldThisBeTheirYear?

Congratulations to our DGN Band students who continue to show tremendous generosity in their efforts to support the Giving Tree.  We are over 50% toward our team goal, with one day of giving to go.  To reach our goal we need to average $4.25 donation per band student. (That's the cost of one fancy drink at a local coffee shop.)

Concert Band has already PASSED the needed average, and they lead with $5.35 per student. (Way to go Concert Band!!  Keep it up, and you could make history on the way to winning our "giving challenge" competition.)

Wind Ensemble is in second place, with $4.07 per student. (Will this be the first year Wind Ensemble doesn't end with the highest level of giving?!?!)

Symphonic Band is in third place, with $1.42 per student. (Symphonic Band is obviously playing the "wait 'till the last day, and storm to the lead in a surprise victory" game.  Now come on Symphonic Band; time to step it up!)

@dgnbands Welcomes Composer James Stephenson #99Learns

The DGN Wind Ensemble was pleased to welcome composer James Stephenson to campus this afternoon to guest conduct and critique students on their interpretation of his "Concerto for Cell Phone."

The music of Mr. Stephenson will be featured on the November 3 Band Concert, held at 7 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High School.

Giving Tree - Day 1 Totals - Concert Band Leads!

Congratulations to our Concert Band for jumping out to a solid lead in our Giving Tree donations.  Wind Ensemble is currently in 2nd place, followed closely by Symphonic Band.

We raised 25% of our $900 giving goal, which is a great start ... but please continue to give what you  can on Thursday and Friday!  Your donations will provide a brighter holiday for 18 children in DuPage county.

2015 Band-O-Rama #99Learns

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band, as well as the Athenas, for their toe-tappin' and crowd-pleasing performances at Band-O-Rama 2015!

A special thank you is extended to the members of the Marching Band Student Leadership Team, the DGN Band Board, and the Auditorium Crew Technicians for transforming the Gym into a dazzling concert hall.

Band O Rama Tonight! Live Stream Scheduled #99Learns

Don't miss the incredible sights and sounds of the DGN Trojan Marching Band in the annual "Band O Rama" concert.  All the excitement kicks-off at 7 PM in the Purple Gym of North High School. The concert is free and open to the public, and will also feature the DGN Athenas Dance Team.

Out of town, and want to catch the live-stream online?  Click here, or go to:

http://thecube.com/event/559461

Shoemaker Band Scholarship Fund: Now Accepting Online Donations

Director of Bands at Downers Grove High School from 1929 until 1963, Clarence J. Shoemaker was vitally interested in young people.  He was an exemplary music teacher and band director.  His expertise in the development of musical enjoyment through dedicated participation in the grade school and high school concert and marching band programs was widely acclaimed.  Recognition of achievement by the bands he led included local, state and national awards from his peers.  It is fitting that a memorial to his love for students and musical excellence is established in the form of a scholarship for outstanding instrumentalists who are members of the institution to which he devoted most of his career.

For nearly three decades the CJS Band Scholarship Fund has provided much needed financial support for students from Downes Grove North and Downers Grove South to attend summer music camps.  In reality, these enrichment experiences become central to the success of our bands each year, because each student who attends a summer band camp returns to their respective school and shares their improved skills and enthusiasm with their peers. 

Donate Today!

Are you an alumnus of the Downers Grove North, Downers Grove South, or original Downers Grove High School Band programs? Please consider making a deductible donation to support the Clarence J. Shoemaker Scholarship Fund.  There are two ways to give:

1) Mail a Check!  Click here for a PDF of the donation form.

2) Donate Online with a Credit Card.  Click here to be redirected to the website, and look for the "Donate" button.  

Thank you for your support!

Welcome Grandparents! #99Learns

DGN Bands are pleased to welcome many grandparents of our senior class today!

Cancer Care Center "Thank You" Luncheon #99Learns #99Cares

Dear DGN Band members / family:

This afternoon Mr. Miller and I, along with several junior and senior student-leaders, had the honor of facilitating a “thank you lunch” for the Good Samaritan Hospital Cancer Care Center team.  Thanks to YOUR generous donations (as you purchased and wore the pink Brest Cancer Awareness bandanas with voluntary donations), we were able to provide a beautiful meal, catered by the Weber Grill. 

In addition to helping me move tables and chairs to and from the hospital for the lunch, our student leaders wrote and presented personal hand-written thank-you notes to each member of the Cancer Care Team. Each card included a photo of the 2015 Trojan Marching Band with the words “thank you” printed on the side.

I had the privilege of speaking to the entire group for several minutes, and I would like you to know that the physicians, nurses, and clerical personnel were genuinely appreciative (some overwhelmed) by your generosity.  You really lifted their spirits today and affirmed their important work.  

Thank you for being the kind, caring, and compassionate group of young adults that you are. You are “difference makers” in the way you approach philanthropy, and I could not be more proud to be associated with the DGN Band. 

Up next … “The Giving Tree!”

With appreciation, and respect,

Brayer Teague

 

 

Wrapping Up A Great Marching Band Season! #99learns

The Trojan Marching Band celebrated another win by the Football team along with their own Senior Night recognition last Friday night. The band continued to ROCK with another great performance of their Keep Calm and Rock On show. Congratulations to the band on a great season and to our seniors who have contributed a combined total of over 140 years of service to the DGN Bands. The Trojan Marching Band sends their best wishes to the Football team as they travel to Proviso West this weekend in search of another victory and playoff eligibility. Finally, we invite all our fans to join us in the Purple Gym next Tuesday (October 27th) at 7 PM for Band-O-Rama 2015 - an indoor concert celebration of the 2015 Trojan Marching Band season.

Another DGN Victory! #99learns

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band and the Trojan Football Team on another victory to wrap up the regular season. Thank you to our Senior Class for sharing your talent and school spirit for the past four years!! Go North!

Alumnus Kristin Bowers to host Recital in DG today!

DGN alumnus Kristin Bowers, Principal Clarinetist of the United States Air Force Band, is teaming with National Symphony Orchestra Oboist Jamie Roberts, to present a free local concert. The recital will take place tonight at 5 pm in the sanctuary of Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, right across the street from North High.

Crosstown Classic #WeAreDGN @DGNFootball

Congratulations to the students and staff affiliated with the Trojan Marching Band, the Athenas, the Marching Mustangs, and the Fillies, for their presence and participation at the 2015 Crosstown Classic this evening. Kudos also the the members of the choral programs from both campuses who participated by leading the crowd in attendance in the singing of our National Anthem.

The Trojan Marching Band extends thanks to the DGS Fine Arts Department and the DGS Band Boosters for their hospitality and support with travel logistics.  

Finally, the band congratulates @DGNFootball on a hard-fought victory, and extends all best wishes as the team prepares for an all-important match-up against the Dukes of York.

Color Guard Bake Sale Thanks!

We extend thanks to the supporters of the DGN Bands and the DGN Fine Arts Department for their role in making this year's Color Guard Bake Sale the best yet!  Because of you, the Guard was able to raise a record-breaking $645 in just one night!  These funds will go directly to improving equipment options for our students.  On behalf of the Guard, our program shares sincere thanks!

Homecoming Football Game 2015 #WeAreDGN #99Learns