DGN Band Concerts This Week - Important Updates!

The DGN Bands will present two "Fall Band Concerts" this week.  The first concert, on November 1 (6:30 PM) will feature the DGN Concert Band and Wind Ensemble, with the Herrick Middle School Band as guests.  

Please note that the start time of the November 1 concert has been moved UP by 30 minutes (6:30 PM).  Family and friends who will be out of town may view a live stream of the concert on the High School Cube.  Click HERE for the November 1 broadcast.  This same link will access rebroadcasts through December 1.

The November 1 concert will also feature a special tribute to long-time Herrick Middle School music teacher Mr. Jonathan Ball, who is retiring at the end of the 2016-17 school year.  Don't miss our "Seventy-Six Trombones" Grand Finale! 

If you or someone you know plays trombone ... or used to play trombone ... and you/they would like to join us ... it's not too late!  Just show up at 5:40 PM for a 5:45 rehearsal.  Bring your instrument with you, and - if possible - print out this sheet music in advance. No special concert attire.  We'd love to have you!

The second concert on Thursday, November 3, (7:00 PM) will feature the DGN Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble, and Symphonic Band. Family and friends who will be out of town may view a live stream of the concert on the High School Cube.  Click HERE for the November 3 broadcast.  This same link will access rebroadcasts through December 3. 

Happy Halloween from Wayne & Garth #WeAreDGN

DGN Musician Tapped for Illinois All State Musical #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to freshman Miles Teague (French Horn), who has been named a member of the Illinois High School Theatre Festival's All-State company of “Sweeney Todd.” Teague was selected, through audition, to join 37 students from across Illinois as an instrumentalist in the 2017 All State Musical Pit Orchestra. 

The company of the Illinois Theatre Association's “Sweeney Todd” production consists of 108 high school students from across the state.  Being a company member of the annual All-State Production is considered to be the highest achievement a student may attain in Illinois high school theatre. 

“Sweeney Todd” will be presented January 5-7, 2017 at the University of Illinois Krannert Center for the Performing Arts as a part of the 42nd Annual Illinois High School Theatre Festival.

Band O Rama Video Replay

Did you miss the 2016 DGN Band O Rama? Video replay may be found on The Cube for 30 days, by clicking HERE.

Band O Rama 2016

Congratulations to the 2016 DGN Trojan Marching Band on a terrific Band O Rama Concert, and an outstanding season!

Congratulations DGN ILMEA All District Musicians! #WeAreDGN

Student musicians from Downers Grove North High School earned an impressive fifty-one placements, by competitive audition, to the 2016 Illinois Music Education Association District Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band. Auditions were held on Tuesday, October 11 at Carl Sandburg High School. The top placing scores were selected for participation in the District Music Festivals, to be held during the month of November.

“Selection to the ILMEA All-District ensembles is a distinct and significant honor for a high school musician,” said Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson. “Our faculty is excited for these students who will now have the opportunity to collaborate with the most outstanding musicians in our region.”

The music faculty, private teachers, and sender school music teachers associated with North High School are proud to congratulate the following students who have earned ILMEA All-District Honors:

CHOIR
Tim Berberich (12) – Tenor I

Elise Cismesia (12) – Soprano I

Adriana DeLoach (12) – Alto I

Kileen Dietrich (12) – Alto I

Sarah Durbin (11) – Soprano I

Benjamin Goedert (12) – Tenor I

Ethan Kinnear (12) – Tenor II

Cecilia Kowara (11) – Soprano I

Jack Langan (11) – Bass I

Lindsey LeBeda (11) – Alto II

Emily Little (12) – Alto II

Claire Marino (11) – Alto II

Emma Moravec (12) – Soprano II

Brendan Quealy (11) – Tenor II

Lucas Sheppard (12) – Bass II

Amanda Smith (10) – Alto II

Sharon Stagaman (12) – Soprano II

Riley Wagner (12) – Alto II

ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Josie Bondarowicz (10) – Double Bass

Lucie Boyd (10) – Viola

Joseph Delorto (11) – Viola

Rebecca Edmundson (9) – Violin

Tatiana Jordan (12) –  Violin
Amelia Korbitz (10) – Violin

Parker Jo McGuire (10) – Violin

Bryan Monk (11) – Violin

Braden Moore (9) – Cello  

Lauren O’Neil (12) – Violin
Catherine Ramsey (9) - Harp

WINDS and PERCUSSION (CLASSICAL)
David Atwater (12) – French Horn (Orchestra)

Daniel Brethauer (12) – Bass Trombone (Band)

Jennifer Casey (11) – Euphonium (Band)
Maria D'Ambrose (12) –  Oboe (Orchestra)

Ryan Knezevich (11) – Trombone (Band)

Eirene Kowal (12) – Percussion (Band)

Chloe Mason (11) – Oboe (Band)

Zachary McCoy (12) – Percussion (Orchestra)

Brian Perillo (10) – Euphonium (Band)

Caleb Schmurr (12) – Trombone (Band)

Miles Teague (9) – French Horn (Orchestra)

WINDS and PERCUSSION (JAZZ)
Josie Bondarowicz (10) – Double Bass

Daniel Brethauer (12) – Bass Trombone

Emily Dwyer (12) – Trumpet

Ryan Knezevich (11) – Trombone

Emily Little (12) – Trombone

Kaylee McCarthy (11) – Trombone

Matthew McCoy (12) – Alto Sax

Zachary McCoy (12) – Drums

Caleb Schmurr (12) - Trombone

Miles Teague (9) – Piano

Michael Thompson (12) – Tenor Sax

Inspired Performance and Trojan Victory!

Congratulations to the members of the 2016 DGN Trojan Marching Band for ending their season with inspired Pre Game, Halftime, and Postgame performances!  

A special note of thanks to our 45 Seniors from the Class of 2017 who performed for the last time in uniform, at Carsten's Field.  We appreciate your tireless energy and dedication to North High!  #FlipTheCape #1000+Hours

Fire Up @dgnbands! It's Game Night!

Tonight is the final Home Football Game performance of the 2016 season. The Trojan Marching Band is ready to cheer our team on to victory!

Important Updates For DGN Band Families

As we suddenly are headed towards our late fall/winter season of concerts and activities, we have several reminders and scheduling details to be aware of. Please read through the following carefully:

Marching Band Members – Last Football Game - The call-time for Friday's game is 5:30 PM. Students will be asked to change directly into uniforms and be on the EAST Practice Field by 5:45 PM for warm-ups and a final run-thru before the game. Students may want to wear a warm layer under their uniforms but nothing bulky that will make it difficult for the uniform to fit. JEANS ARE NOT TO BE WORN UNDER THE UNIFORM! The weather is predicted to get a bit colder than the summer-like weather we’ve been enjoying, but looks like it will stay dry!

Marching Band Members and Sports Exemption Students - Band-O-Rama  Our annual indoor marching band concert will be held next week on Tuesday in the Purple Gym at 7PM. Sports Exemption Students - You are required to attend this concert to support your Marching Band colleagues. There will be an attendance clip-board to sign in on. If your team or sport has a competition/game/match that evening that would make it impossible to attend Band-O-Rama, please speak with Mr. Teague or Mr. Miller THIS WEEK to discuss. Marching Band Students - We will rehearse (out of uniform, but in black socks/marching band shoes) from 5:30-6:30 PM on Tuesday. We will then change into uniforms. We will NOT be wearing Shakos. We will be speaking with Leadership Team and Band Board members more this week about decorating and setting up the Gym from 3:30-5:30 on Tuesday. Thanks in advance for your help!

Florida Tour Participants – Our rehearsal with Mr. Gary Smith is next week, on Wednesday at 3:00 PM. Attendance is mandatory. Have you been practicing at home? Have you been receiving our email updates? (last topics sent were a Last Call for Medical Forms, and a Music Rehearsal Follow-Up. You must be signed up to receive email updates and we encourage you to subscribe to get text messages/follow the tour on Twitter. Details were in the blue packet.

Calling All Trombonists! We need at least 76 of you!!! #99Learns

Join our salute to the Music Education career of Mr. Jonathan Ball in his final DGN Band Invitational Concert.  We will close the concert with a performance of "76 Trombones" as a nod to Mr. Ball's years of service and dedication to our community and the schools of Downers Grove.

So pull your trombone out of the closet, practice a few lip-slurs, and come join us on November 1.  PRINT THE SHEET MUSIC FROM THIS LINK!

Please invite anyone you know who can hold (we mean play) a trombone!

All guest-trombonists will rehearse with the DGN Wind Ensemble / current DGN and Herrick Band trombones at 5:45 PM on the night of the concert.

Click here for our FacebookEvent page.

@dgnbands Supports Breast Cancer Charities at 2016 Crosstown Showdown #WeAreDGN #dgspride #99Learns @Dist_99 @DGNFineArts @DGSFineArts @DGS_Bands

The @dgnbands Trojan Marching Band members raised $750 in support of Breast Cancer Charities during the 2016 Crosstown Classic football game.  Wearing pink gloves and ribbons, band members worked to increase awareness and demonstrate support for individuals and families impacted by cancer.

The annual athletic contest between the Trojans and Mustangs provided an opportunity for the Fine Arts Departments at DGN and DGS to collaborate artistically.  The two marching bands, along with choir students and dance-team members from both campuses, offered combined performances at both Pre-Game and Halftime.

Congratulations to all the students in the DGS Band, DGS Choir, DGS Fillies, DGN Band, DGN Choir, and DGN Athenas, for terrific performances!

Seeking Donations for Young Survival Coalition / DGN Bands Will Wear Pink on Friday

The DGN Trojan Marching Band will support Breast Cancer Awareness Month at their performance on Friday, October 7 by wearing pink gloves (instead of white) and affixing pink ribbons to uniforms.

Tuesday - Friday this week, during band classes, students will be given the opportunity to make a donation to support a prominent national Breast Cancer charity.  We are asking students (and their families) to consider making a cash donation as they are able.

The suggested donation range - per student - is $5-$10.  The first $2 of each donation will help offset the cost of the newly purchased pink gloves and pink ribbons that each marching band member will be issued for Friday's performance.  All remaining funds raised will be donated to the Young Survival Coalition.  You may read about the mission of this charity at:

https://www.youngsurvival.org/

Donations may be made, in class, either with cash, or a personal check made payable to 'Young Survival Coalition.'  Checks made directly to the charity will be forwarded with other monies raised from the DGN Bands.

Donating is not required of any student; all students will be given pink gloves and a pink ribbon to wear at Friday's performance.

Thank you for your consideration of this philanthropic endeavor.