Cannonball Combo @ Caribou

Tour Orientation Meeting - Monday, April 2nd

It is with great pleasure – and a great feeling of pride – that we announce the Downers Grove North High School Band has been invited to perform in the Thanksgiving Parade of Bands at the Walt Disney World Resort. We are very pleased to announce that the DGN Band program has been invited – as one of ten outstanding marching bands from across the country – to perform at this exciting event to be held during Thanksgiving weekend, 2012. It is the legacy of outstanding performances such as our recent tour to London for the New Year’s Day Parade that caught the eye (and ear) of the organizers of this event. In that regard, we owe a huge “thank-you” to our graduating seniors and the outstanding alumni that have contributed to the success and reputation of our band in our country and around the world!

We invite you to attend a Tour Orientation meeting on Monday evening, April 2nd, at 7:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium of North High School. Any current band family (or future band family in the case of current 8th graders) should send at least one parent/guardian representative to attend if they wish to register for the tour. Band students (current and future) are also encouraged to attend. The meeting will cover the following topics:

• Brief history of the event and the invitation to our band.

• Preliminary look at the itinerary.

• Specific instructions for tour registration, including the time-line.

• Details of an optional “Family Tag-Along” Tour • Tour costs, as well as strategies for fund-raising.

This invitation is offered to a small number of high school bands each year. As you can imagine, a tour of this nature will only be successful if we work together to maximize resources and make every effort to support students who wish to participate and give them the tools they need to raise the funds associated with participation. We encourage families to begin learning about Thanksgiving Parade of Bands by visiting our North High Band Tour Blog. Please bookmark the following site: dgndisney2012.blogspot.com

Congratulations to all band families on this prestigious invitation, and we look forward to sharing specifics with you on Monday, April 2nd, 2012.

Sincerely,

Bill Miller and Brayer Teague

The full text of this letter can be found in a PDF format online here.

Faisal Khurshid - Green Thunder Percussion

The Fine Arts Department congratulates senior Faisal Khurshid (snare drum) on his participation in the competitive 'winter drum line' - Green Thunder Percussion.  This year's GTP show "The Grid" is based on the movie TRON.


GTP, the Independent Open Class percussion ensemble presented by The Cavaliers Drum & Bugle Corps, brings "The Grid" to life in 2012 for its fifth competitive season.  "This is by far the most talented group of performers we've had in our five years," said Manger and Visual Coordinator Paul Wiercioch.  Green Thunder recently placed second in Independent Open Class at the WGI Indianapolis Percussion Regional with a score of 81.55. 


The embedded video is of GTP's performance at the WGI Prelims in Kentucky this past weekend.


Congratulations Faisal!

Seniors Shine With Stand-Out Concerto Performances

Congratulations to seniors Stephen Shatzer (Bassoon) and Andrea Vetrone (French Horn) for terrific concerto performances on Thursday night at our March Band Concert. Both musicians played with great passion and musical artistry. We are proud of your accomplishments!

Another DGN Jazz Combo 'Out & About' In Town

Tonight DGN's "Miles Davis" Jazz Combo played for the Maercker Band Spaghetti Dinner & Fundraiser. Congrats to these dedicated musicians on their performance, and thanks to all for supporting this worthy event.

Wind Ensemble Wows 1,100 Elementary School Children

Congratulations to all of the DGN student musicians who performed in this afternoon's 8th Annual "Community Outreach Concert." Today's concert forged connections between the arts and children's literature.

Well done one and all!

March Band Concert

Congratulations to the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble, for a terrific March Concert!  Each ensemble performed with incredible musicianship this evening.



 
 


 
 


 
 


 
 

Guest Conductor in Residence: Dr. Peter Griffin

North High is pleased to welcome Dr. Peter Griffin to campus for a two day residency in the Fine Arts Department. Dr. Griffin, who serves as the Department Chair of Music at Elmhurst College, will serve as a guest conductor on tomorrow night's March Band Concert.

Join us in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium at 7 pm, March 15th, to hear the Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Percussion Ensemble, and Wind Ensemble in what promises to be a fantastic evening of music!

A Gig of "Historic" Proportions

The DGN Jazz Ensemble enjoyed the opportunity to open this evening for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band at the famous Chicagoland Jazz hangout, FitzGerald's.  Our students were honored to play on a stage that has been host to countless jazz luminaries over the decades.  

After an exciting, toe-tappin set, DGN students and families stayed to enjoy the swingin' sounds of the Chicago Grandstand Big Band.  In the Bass Trombone chair we were pleased to cheer on Woodridge (District 68) music teacher, Mr. Brad Payne.  Mr. Teague even got in on the act, sitting in with the band on three selections in the opening set.

Kudos to all who performed tonight, and thank you to Bill Gilardon (band leader) for the invitation to play FitzGerald's.




 

 
 

DGN Jazz Ensemble Swinging' at FitzGerald's

The set just started but the joint is jumping'. Thanks to FitzGerald's and the Chicago Grandstand Big Band for having us out!

DGN Jazz To Play World Famous FitzGerald's on Sunday

There are few places better known for jazz than FitzGerald's in Berwin, IL, built in the 1920s. This Sunday night, at 6 pm, the DGN Jazz Ensemble will perform an opening set for the Chicago Grandstand Big Band.

Cover is $10 for adults, and $5 for 17 and under.  Come out and support the DGN Jazz Ensemble in a room that is rich with character and ambiance.  Hope to see you there!

Guest Conductor & Mathematician

The Symphonic Band was pleased to welcome Math Department faculty member Mr. Matt Maletich to the band room this morning. Mr. Maletich was warmly received as he tried his hand at conducting.

Rumor has it Mr. Miller might infiltrate an Algebra class next week ...