Backstage with Symphonic Band

Symphonic Band Prepares for Nov. 29th Concert

Santa Parade Video

Santa Parade 2007

Mr. Turkey

It wouldn't be Thanksgiving Break without the familiar sounds of "Mr. Turkey" coming from the band room at North High.

High schools work together to bring music back to New Orleans

By Samantha Nelson, snelson@mysuburbanlife.com

Downers Grove Reporter

Tue Nov 13, 2007, 11:49 AM CST

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When the bands at Downers Grove North and South high schools drive to the New Trier Jazz Festival, they are hoping to take a truck load of instruments with them — and leave them there.

Jazz members at both schools are working to gather enough donated instruments and funds to build two full bands for high schools in New Orleans affected by Hurricane Katrina. The initiative is part of an effort started by New Trier High School in Winnetka, which asked 10 competing high schools to donate $400 for their “Hey NOLA- We Didn’t Forget About You” project instead of their regular entrance fees. The Downers Grove schools paid the $400 but decided they wanted to do more.

A small start The first instrument to be donated to Downers Grove North and South high schools effort to build bands for New Orleans was a coronet a freshman trombonist bought at a flea market. To make a donation, call Fine Arts Department chairmen Glenn Williams at Downers South or Brayer Teague at Downers North.

“It’s important for New Orleans, it’s important for music education and it’s important for our students because we have such a bounty in front of us. We sometimes don’t get what’s going on entirely,” said Glenn Williams, chairman of the Downers South Fine Arts Department.

Both Downers Grove schools are organizing instrument donation drives, which will culminate at their annual Jazz Cafe concerts Thursday and Friday, Jan. 24 and 25. North High’s Cafe has benefited charities every year since it started in 1994. Last year, the schools teamed up for the first time to raise funds for Nothing but Nets, a group distributing malaria nets. The collaboration worked well, and the schools decided to work together again in 2008, said Brayer Teague, North High’s chairman of Fine Arts Department.

While the jazz bands are the main force behind the project, Williams said he hopes to generate more buzz among the rest of the student body. Because the Jazz Cafes also bring in middle school students, they may get more of the community involved. The District 99 two-band goal would require about 60 instruments.

Teague said reaction was very good when the new beneficiary was announced at the school’s monthly Music Boosters meeting. He said music is deeply important to the culture of New Orleans, and Hurricane Katrina has nearly destroyed the region’s ability to teach jazz.

“With the passing of time, it becomes easy to forget about the rebuilding that is still enveloping the citizens of that great city,” Teague said. “This is our small way of raising awareness and trying to support the schools in New Orleans.”

Click here for original story.

Senior Night 2007

2007 Marching Band Group Picture

Happy Halloween!

2007-2008 Winter Guard Announced

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007-2008 DGN WINTER GUARD

Captains: Kelly Cantlin & Amanda Piggot

Ashley Ford

Nella Granback

Anna Kowalewicz

Katie Kropp

Anita Pattanayak

Jennifer Poad

Lauren Rush

Kaitlin Sheber

Carrie Strandgard

Lindsay Waszak

Lisa Witek

Our first practices are October 30^th and November 1^st from 6:00 to 8:30 PM

(Meet in the band room).

Mason Martin performs with U.S. Army Field Band

Senior Mason Martin performed on October 23 with the United State Army Field Band in Arlington Heights, IL. Congratulations Mason on your selection to perform with the band!

Mason is pictured here with Lieutenant Colonel Beth T.M. Steele, who became the Deputy Commander and Associate Conductor of The U.S. Army Field Band in July of 2005. A native of Ames, Iowa, she holds a Bachelor of Music degree in Trumpet Performance and a Master of Music in Conducting from Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois.

After receiving her commission in 1988, Lieutenant Colonel Steele served as the Executive Officer and Associate Conductor of the Army Ground Forces Band in Atlanta, Georgia, as well as Commander, Student Company, at the U.S. Army Element School of Music. Following these assignments, she assumed duties as Associate Bandmaster for The U.S. Army Band, "Pershing's Own," in Washington, DC, and as Commander for The U.S. Continental Army Band. Lieutenant Colonel Steele's most recent assignment was as Commandant of the U.S. Army Element, School of Music.

DGN Alumni in Marching Illini

Mr. Miller recently visited his Alma Mater (Illinois) to watch Mr. Teague's Alma Mater (Michigan) win a football game. (Sorry Mr. Miller ... I was nice in class on Monday ... I couldn't resist.)

North High is extremely proud of the dozen DGN alumni that are currently a part of the nationally renown Marching Illini.

Band O Rama just around the corner!

The 2007 North High School Band-O-Rama Concert will be held this Thursday, October 11, at 7 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. This annual showcase of the "Trojan" Marching Band is sure to be a highlight of the fall season for hundreds of concert patrons. Join us as the members of the band, the cheerleaders and the Athenas share the sights and sounds of the football stadium with an appreciative audience of Trojan fans. Seating is on a first-come basis; doors open at 6:30 PM for seating.

Homecoming 2007

Carl Sandburg Marching Festival - Division I

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band on their performance at the 2007 Carl Sandburg Marching Festival. The band received unanimous Division I ratings from all three judges in the areas of Music, Marching Technique, and General Effect.

The marching band's next performances are scheduled for Homecoming week.

DGN Drum Line - September 18, 2007

Band Night 2007

Marching Band Photos - Support the Music Boosters

Pictures from the first Marching Band performance of the year are now available on SmugMug for viewing and purchase. Proceeds support the North High Music Boosters!

2007-08 Jazz Audition Results

Thank you to everyone who auditioned for the jazz program this year. We are fortunate to have some of the finest students in Illinois at North High. It's going to be a terrific year!

Please read the information carefully regarding rehearsal schedules.

Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band meet TOMORROW at 7 AM (September 5).
Jazz Workshop meets on Tuesday, September 18th, at 7 AM for the first time.

Follow these links for audition results ...

Results in MS Word format

Results in PDF format

Jazz Bands Audition Schedule

Trumpets: Tuesday, August 28
Saxes: Wednesday, August 29
Trombones: Thursday, August 30
Rhythm Section: Friday, August 31

Auditions begin at 6:50 AM each morning. Each person who plans to audition should arrive in room 142 by 6:45 AM that day.

Sign up for auditions on the Fine Arts Office window (131).

Call backs will be posted on this Blog by 3:20 PM on Friday, August 31, and will take place at 7 AM on Tuesday, Sept. 4.

Final results will be posted on this Blog on Wednesday, September 5, by 3:20 PM.

First rehearsals will begin at 7 AM on Thursday, September 6.

A link to hear an audio track of the audition music may be found here:

http://www.kendormusic.com/db2007/42983.htm

Friday: Marching Band Schedule Revisions

Field conditions and the forecast of severe weather for the northern Illinois region have necessitated several cancellations and revisions to our Marching Band schedule. Band families are advised of the following changes:

• Today's "Band Camp" marching band practice has been revised to be a one-hour indoor music rehearsal, beginning at 3:30 PM and ending at 4:30 PM.
  
• Tonight's "Family Fun Night" for the Marching Band has been canceled. Due to our packed schedule of performances, this event will not be made-up.
  
• Next Tuesday's rehearsal (August 28) has been modified in the following ways:

1. Rehearsal will begin immediately after school at 3:30 PM (not 4:30 as scheduled).
2. Rehearsal will end at 8:00 PM (not 8:30 as scheduled).
3. As previously requested, students should bring a "sack dinner." Students will be given an opportunity to eat, but will not be allowed to leave campus.

Thank you for your continued patience as we contend with mother nature.

Marching Band Rehearsal Canceled

Due to severe weather, Thursday night's rehearsal has been canceled. See you all on Friday morning for school!

-Mr. Teague and Mr. Miller

Crazy Hat Night - 2007

Complete with audio files of the School Song, and Lego marchers, senior Ben Tullis is the 2007 Crazy Hat Night Grand Champion. Congratulations Ben!

Hey Baby!

Congratulations to our Marching Band Assistant Hank Vaughan, and his wife Becky, on the arrival of Katharine Rebeccah. She was born on Friday morning, August 17 (before the due date) ... proving once again that "if you're on time, you're late."

Notice the band hat in the picture, and that Mr. Vaughan helped deliver her while wearing this year's marching band t-shirt (having left directly from rehearsal for the hospital on Thursday night).

Purple and White 2007

DGN Drum Line prepares show music

The members of the DGN Drum Line have been hard at work preparing for the 2007 season.

Leadership Team Ready for Band Camp 2007

The members of the Trojan Marching Band Leadership Team as they prepare for the opening of Band Camp 2007 on Thursday, August 16th.

Band Camp '07 begins this week!

The school year is just around the corner, and this week marks the
beginning of Band Camp 2007! Student Leaders have been preparing for Marching Band camp which begins for "newcomers" on Thursday, August 16, and all students on Friday, August 17. The Color Guard and Drum Line have already been busy preparing music and drill for the 2007 season.

Happy Independence Day!

Members of the Trojan Marching Band and the South High School Marching Mustangs teamed up to perform as the District 99 Marching Band in the Darien and Downers Grove Fourth of July Parades. The band looked and sounded great in both events and did our District 99 community proud! Thanks to all the students from both bands that made the event so succesful.

We hope your Independence Day holiday was a good one and that you all continue to enjoy your summer vacation time.

Rusty Jehangir - Honors Jazz Band of America

Senior (and as of this evening graduate) Rusty Jehangir performed earlier this spring with the Honors Jazz Band of America. We are pleased to post this recently released video excerpt of the concert, which included soloist Wynton Marsalis. In this clip Rusty can be seen playing lead-trombone in the trombone section.

Memorial Day events

Band members participated in two community events on Memorial Day. At 9 AM the Drum Line marched in the Woodridge parade, and at 10:45 AM the entire Marching Band performed in the Downers Grove memorial day parade. Following the Downers Grove parade the band performed at Fishel Park as a part of a community Memorial Day service.

Thank you to all the members of the band for your extra efforts on behalf of North High during the holiday weekend.

2007-2008 DGN COLOR GUARD

The North High Fine Arts Department would like to thank all students who auditioned for the 2007-08 Color Guard. If you were not selected for the team this year, please consider (if you are eligible) auditioning again next year. We appreciate your interest and your investment in our Marching Band program.


CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2007-2008 DGN COLOR GUARD

Captains: Kelly Cantlin & Amanda Piggot

Hannah Degen
Jackie Grobe
Becca Habel
Brittany Honaker
Anna Kowalewicz
Katie Kropp
Mary Kubacki
Mallorie McLaughlin
Anita Pattanayak
Jennifer Poad
Lauren Rush
Kaitlin Sheber
Brianna Simonson
Carrie Strandgard
Lindsay Waszak


The first practice is June 13th at 6:30 PM (Meet in the band room).
If you are going to miss any summer rehearsals please bring written notification to the June 13th practice.

Polizeimusikkorps

Hello DGN Band members. This is Mr. Teague writing again from Germany.

On Wednesday morning I had the opportunity to attend a rehearsal of the Polizeimusikkorps Baden-Wurttemberg (the Police Band of the State of Baden-Wurttemberg). This is a professional band (each member is a professionally trained musician who has been selected to the band through an audition) that performs more than 70 concerts annually. The band also records many of the CDs that European music publishers send out all over the world to advertise their publications. The band was very good, and it was a real pleasure to observe them in rehearsal. It may be hard to tell from the vantage point of my video, but there are only 35 members in this ensemble. This number is dictated to the conductor by the state. For that reason most instrument sections are "one on a part." He uses two clarinets on each part, and only one oboe, one bassoon, and three French Horns. There are two alto saxes, and one tenor sax. The bari sax is only used on certain pieces, and a clarinet player moves over to bari for those works. The band only uses two full-time percussionists, so members of the trumpet section (there are five) rotate in to help as needed. Percussionists: you might notice that the timpani are set up in reverse order (high drums on the left). Germany and Austria are the only two countries in the world that have this tradition.

I was introduced to the band just before their break, and I then spent some time with the conductor. He offered to have the band perform a special clinic/concert for the District 99 Honors Band in June of 2008! I of course said "yes," and told him that I thought our students would really enjoy the chance to hear them perform. Interestingly, in looking at his musical scores, I noticed that he used the same score-marking system (specific colors and symbols) that I learned at Northwestern University. In speaking with him (Mr. Schiffer served as our translator) I learned that his conducting mentor once studies with my conducting mentor - Mr. Paynter. It was a very special "It's A Small World" moment.

I hope everyone is enjoying their Spring Break. See you soon,

BT

Hello from Germany

Hello DGN Band members! I'm in Germany over Spring Break visiting Mr. Schiffer, one of the band directors of the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule Band. Tonight I attended a rehearsal of the band as they prepared music for their upcoming tour to Downers Grove. The band will be with us in May. Many thanks to all of the families who have volunteered to be host families for this exchange.

The video clip below is of the band being conducted in rehearsal by Conductor Julia Schlag.

Winter Guard Advances to State in Two Events

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Winter Guard who have qualified for the IDTA State Competition in both the Tall Flag and Lyrical Flag categories. At the super sectional competition the Winter Guard came in third place for Lyrical Flag and second place for Tall Flag. We wish the team the very best as they prepare now for State!

2007 IHSA State Solo & Ensemble Contest Scores

Please follow this link for scores.

New North High Bands Podcast

We are pleased to announce that you may now subscribe, via iTunes (or similar) to our North High Bands Podcast.

Open iTues, select the "Advanced" tab, and then select "Subscribe to Podcast." Paste the following URL into the text box, and you're all set!

http://bb.csd99.org/webapps/lobj-podcast-bb_bb60/feed/n.bands/podcast.xml

Purple Pep Band

The North High Pep Band performed for a double-header of DGN vs. DGS basketball games this weekend. Colleen H. displays her Purple-Pride as a member of the band's percussion section.

FitzGerald's

The North High School Jazz Ensemble opened for the Jim Guter Big Band on Sunday, January 28 at FitzGerald's Nightclub. The members of the Jazz Ensemble were honored to play at this legendary establishment, and we thank Mr. Guter for the kind invitation to open for his band.

Mrs. Guter (North High Music faculty member) was also on hand, and displayed some wonderful dance steps in the second set!

Congratulations to the DGN Jazz Ensemble for a fine performance.

All State Band - 2007

Congratulations to Mark Dortwegt and Emily Kirkegaard on their selection to the 2007 Illinois All-State Honors Band, and for a terrific performance on Saturday, January 27.

DGN Jazz - Great success at 2007 Purdue University Jazz Festival

The North High School Jazz Program enjoyed great success at the 2007 Purdue University Jazz Festival. For the first time in the school's history, all three performing ensembles garnered "Division I" recognition in the same year.

Awards included:

The DGN Jazz Combo won 1st place "honor band" status. The Combo also won the "Judges Award" for their competition room. JJ Jehangir (drums) and Rusty Jehangir (trombone) garnered outstanding solo recognition, and Rusty Jehangir was named Outstanding Soloist for the day in the Combo division.

The DGN Jazz Lab Band won 1st place "honor band" status as well, in their particular competition room. Outstanding solo recognition included Michael Walser (saxophone), Ben Tullis (flute), Sebastian Garcia (bass), Rudy Rendek (guitar) and Hannah Shatzer (piano). Additionally, Sebastian Garcia was one of two students recognized as "Outstanding Soloist" for the entire day.

The DGN Jazz Ensemble received the "Outstanding Performance" award in the Loeb Playhouse competition venue. Their average score of 95 was the highest score the band has ever attained at this prestigious Midwest festival. Outstanding solo recognition included Zach Wetta (flute), David Musselman (saxophone), Alex Binek (trumpet), and Rusty Jehangir (trombone). Additionally, Rusty Jehangir was one of two students recognized as"Outstanding Soloist" for the entire day.

Congratulations to all the DGN Jazz musicians for an outstanding weekend of jazz and many great musical accomplishments.

Jazz Cafe welcomes Nick Mazzarella

DGN welcomed alumnus Nick Mazzarella (Class of 2002) back to campus on January 12th for the annual "Jazz Cafe" concert. A graduate of DePaul University with a degree in Jazz Performance, Mr. Mazzarella is a freelance performer/artist in the Chicago metropolitan area.

Jazz Ensemble "Final Exam"

Creativity points were awarded to Al and Zach for showing up at Mr. Teague's home tonight to attempt their scale test for the Semester I final. Jazz Ensemble students, who have had two months to find Mr. Teague (preferably at school) to complete this test, are now resorting to 'unconventional forms' of performance based assessment.

P.S. If anyone else tries this ... points will be deducted for being a copy-cat. :-)

P.P.S. Miles really enjoyed getting to stay up a little later ...