Calling all Trombonists! #JonBall76Trombones

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.

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 & Herrick Band trombones at 5:45 PM on the night of the concert.

Concert attire: Your call! As long as you're wearing clothes, you're invited!

Click here for our FacebookEvent page, and check back here on the DGN Bands Blog in October for sheet music so YOU (or a trombonist you know) can participate!

@dgnbands Joins @MarchingIllini for Parade & Halftime Performances #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band on their terrific performances today at the University of Illinois. Performing to a capacity crowd at Memorial Stadium, the nationally televised game contributed to an electric college-football atmosphere.

@dgnbands In Rehearsal With @MarchingIllini #WeAreDGN #99Learns

The DGN Trojan Marching Band is proud to share the field with the University of Illinois Marching Illini at tonight's Illinois vs. North Carolina.

@dgnbands @Dist_99 Welcomes 250 Junior High / Middle School Musicians from @DGDistrict58 @Woodridge68 @Maercker60 #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Kick Off moved UP to 7 PM

We just leaned that the kick off of tonight's home football game has been moved up to 7 pm. This does NOT impact the band's call-time (5 pm). 

Weather permitting, expect to see the band's Pre Game show at approximately 6:50 pm, and Half Time at approximately 8:00 pm. 

DGN Jazz Audition Results 2016-17

Thank you to all the students who expressed an interest in jazz band course enrollment.

Our first class/rehearsal will be Monday, September 12, at 7:00 AM.

Click here for the 2016-17 Jazz Lab Band & Jazz Ensemble Class Lists.

Jazz Call Backs (Friday, September 9)

The following student musicians are asked to report to the Band Room at 7 AM on Friday, September 9, to do some additional playing of the jazz audition materials:

• Grace Chalberg (trumpet)
• Phoebe Covey (trumpet)
• Daniel D'Ambrose (tenor sax)
• Mirah Godar (trumpet)
• Kelly Hopkins (trumpet)
• Jonathan Orjala (trumpet)
• Benjamin Pike (tenor sax)

Please bring your music for Billy's Bounce, and State Line Strut.

All students who auditioned for the jazz program are asked to monitor this website over the weekend for class lists.  The first rehearsals for both the Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab Band will be held on Monday, September 12th at 7:00 AM.

Saturday Marching Band Trip / Performance at U of I (September 10)

Saturday, September 10 – University of Illinois Band Day

A very detailed email regarding this event was sent to you this past Monday. Please refer back to that email for the revised itinerary and several instructions for the day. In addition to that document, please be aware of the following:

• We have several students who have severe peanut and tree nut allergies. Any food brought on the bus and consumed during the trip must be peanut and tree nut free. Thank you for paying attention to this requirement for all band students.
• We encourage students to eat a big breakfast before their 10 AM report time. Students will also be able to eat their sack lunch on the bus shortly before arriving in Champaign (12:30 PM approx.). Students will also be able to purchase food in the concession stands at Memorial Stadium. Students should be diligent about keeping uniforms clean – no mustard, chocolate sauce, etc. on our new uniforms!
• Some families have asked for permission to have their band student stay with them after the performance at half time and to go home with them in a personal vehicle. This will work under the following conditions:

• Families must communicate this request in advance to Mr. Miller via email.
• Those students will need to have their garment bag and instrument case for after the performance. Parents can either meet us at our busses before the game as students are changing into uniforms (approximately 4 PM) or come back to the busses with their students after halftime (families will probably not be granted readmission to the game for the second half).
• Following the half time performance, those students who will be meeting their parents will go with Mr. Miller to Gate 23 in the southeast corner of the stadium. Parents must meet their students there in Mr. Miller’s presence to make sure we don’t leave anyone behind by mistake! Families will be responsible for bringing the uniform and instrument back to school on Monday.

Friday Night Marching Band Performance (September 9)

Friday, September 9 – Junior High Night Football Game

The call time for all winds, percussion and color guard is 5 PM on the East Practice Field (Along Main Street).

The weather forecast calls for warm weather, high humidity, and a chance of rain. The combination of these factors and another performance at the University of Illinois Band Day the next day has resulted in a REVISED UNIFORM REQUIREMENT FOR FRIDAY’S GAME. All wind and percussion students should be wearing the following:

• Athletic/Gym Shoes (and athletic socks – white or black)
• Black, white, gray, or khaki shorts
• A primarily white, gray, black, purple t-shirt (Band t-shirt not required, needs to be clean for Saturday)

Upon arrival at school, students will be given a uniform purple District 99 polo shirt. The Marching Band will rehearse and perform in this uniform attire of gym shoes, shorts and polo. This will allow students to have their regular uniform clean and dry for the Saturday trip to Champaign.

Color Guard members will wear their regular uniform.

Thursday Night Marching Band Practice Update (September 8)

Thursday, September 8 – Marching Band Practice

The Marching Band will hold their regular rehearsal beginning at 5 PM on Carstens Field. With Open House also happening, we must make sure to not leave any personal belongings out in the Band Room. Instruments, music, and cases will be brought outside. Any other personal items (bags, purses, etc.) should be placed in the instrument locker room.

This rehearsal will wrap up on the field at 8:30 PM but will include another 15 minutes of announcements about upcoming events. The Band Room is tied up with Open House presentations until 8:46, so we will hold students outside until then.

Marching Band students will be welcome to stay in the Band Room until the end of Open House (9:02 PM) if that is helpful to families but will be officially dismissed at 8:46.