DGN Represents at CYSO Chamberpalooza

Congratulations to the following DGN musicians who performed in the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra "Chamberpalooza" concert this weekend:

Emilija Irvin, Bassoon (Take 13347)
William Janka, Tuba (The Tubadours)
Emma Krause, Flute (The Lakeshore Winds)
Miles Teague, Horn (Fabco Brass)

Band Leadership Holiday Party

DGN Band Leaders gathered today to celebrate the season!

Spectacular Performance from our Trojan Pep Band (featuring DGN Alumni!)

The Trojan Pep Band had an outstanding first showing tonight at the Varsity Girls Basketball Game against Proviso West. Their powerful sounds and passionate cheering helped our girls bring home another conference win! We were thrilled to invite DGN Band Alumni to join us and relive the glory days. Congratulations, Trojans!

Trojan Marching Band Performs for Downers Grove Tree Lighting

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band for their spirited holiday performance in the Downers Grove Gingerbread Festival and Tree Lighting Ceremony!

DGN Band 'Elves' Work To Brighten The Holidays

Our DGN Band Leaders have been busy identifying, purchasing and wrapping holiday gifts for families in need. Thanks to all of our band 'elves' for their terrific work!

DGN is "In The Mood" for the ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival

Congratulations to our DGN students who participated in the ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 16, 2019 at Oak Lawn High School. We are so proud of your accomplishments as jazz musicians!

Mika Bradburn (11) - Piano (Jazz Ensemble IV)
Benjamin Hodonicky (12) - Guitar (Jazz Ensemble I)
Kristen Karam (12) - Guitar (Jazz Ensemble IV)
Justin Koblich (12) - Drum Set (Jazz Ensemble III)
Alex Krejca (10) - Drum Set (Jazz Ensemble IV)
Blake Lietz (10) - Bass Trombone (Jazz Ensemble IV)
Ish Mistry (12) - Trombone (Jazz Ensemble III)
Jonathan Orjala (12) - Trumpet (Jazz Ensemble II)
Melissa Parkinson (10) - Bass (Jazz Ensemble III)
Amy Spreitzer (11) - Bass (Jazz Ensemble IV)
Andrew Swenson (11) - Trumpet Jazz Ensemble IV)

A heartfelt thank you to our colleagues at Oak Lawn High School for hosting the festival for the day. Your work and hospitality was greatly appreciated!

DGN Band Giving Tree Totals #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Thank you, and CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the DGN Bands who averaged $16 donations per student (up from $11 last year) and raised an incredible $3,222 in three days (up from $2,267 last year) to support needy children this holiday season. (Concert Band, $1,077; Symphonic Band, $590; Wind Ensemble, $1,555).  Wind Ensemble students had the highest giving average at $25 per student, with Concert Band finishing a close second with an average of $21 per student. It should be noted that Concert Band's totals, and average giving, was higher than any of our bands last year. 

Because of your tremendous generosity, the DGN Band has been able to DOUBLE the number of needy children we will adopt. That is really something to celebrate! 

In the end, what we are most proud of is the incredible giving-spirit of the entire DGN Band. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who contributed, and extend our thanks to the members of our Band Board that will do the shopping for and wrapping of gifts for 30 children.

Giving Tree Update - Day 2 (with 1 day left to give!)

With only one day left in our giving-campaign, Concert Band is holding fast to 1st place with an average giving of $6.08. Wind Ensemble had the highest donations today, but is averaging $5.39 per person. Symphonic Band is not far behind. It's still any band's giving-contest to win!

In total our band has raised $879 in two days. This is indeed wonderful, but only 38% of what we raised in total last year ($2,267.01). We are hopeful that our most generous giving is still ahead!

With very genuine thanks to everyone who has already given as much as they are able to donate, we pose this question to those who have not yet made a donation (or who might be able to give again): is there anything you can do without this week - or some small sacrifice you could make - that would allow you to make a donation on Wednesday, our final day? 

Thanks to all our students for your consideration of those in need! Your giving-spirit is inspiring!

Giving Tree Totals - Day 1

Concert Band is out to an early lead, with an average giving of $2.87 per person. Congratulations Concert Band!

Our total program giving, after day one, stands at $405. We are averaging $2.01 per band member. 

The DGN Band has adopted 15 children for the holidays, with the goal of supporting 5 more. Thanks to all our students for your consideration of those in need!

DGN Marching Band Alumni Making An Impact

The Marching Illini Clarinet Section (including DGN Alumni Aidan Purcell & Hannah Thomson) celebrate the Illini's historic comeback victory over MSU during their road trip to East Lansing, MI.

DGN Trojan Marching Band Alumni continue to contribute musically to dozens of college marching bands across the United States. This weekend was certainly no exception as the Purdue University All-American Marching Band visited Northwestern University, the Marching Illini collaborated with the Michigan State University Marching Band (in an impressive halftime show that shared drill formations with both bands on the field at the same time), and the University of Alabama Million Dollar Marching Band was featured on ESPN's College GameDay broadcast.

The University of Alabama "Million Dollar Marching Band" (with DGN Alumnus Margaret Lyons, piccolo) is featured on the ESPN College GameDay broadcast.

DGN Band Alumni Aidan Purcell & Kaylee McCarthy reunite for a combined halftime performance at Michigan State University.

DGN Band Alumni Todd Griffin (tuba), Carrie Gorman (guard), and Jeremy Pike (mellophone) travel to Northwestern University to perform with the NU Wildcat Marching Band and DGN Band Alumnus Daniel Brethauer (trombone).