Congratulations to the Class of 2013

The Class of 2013 officially completed their high school journey tonight.  Thank you to all of our band seniors for your leadership and dedication to North High and the DGN Bands during these past for years.  Congratulations also to seniors Brett Latman, Jim Burke, and Erin Elgass - all of whom led the Graduation Band tonight with expert poise and musicianship.  Finally, thank you to ALL of our band members for a great school year.  Best wishes for a wonderful and safe summer.  We'll look forward to seeing you all next fall.  Class of 2013 - that means you all need to come back for Alumni Band!

Important Graduation Ceremony Update for DGN Bands!

Tonight's Graduation has been moved inside due to the threat of storms.  

Because of this, we need to 'downsize' the Graduation Band (so that we can fit in the gym).  To do this, we ask that all members of the Wind Ensemble & Symphonic Band report as scheduled (5:45 pm).  Performance attire has been modified for men: no sport coat or suit coat is required.  Shirt, tie, dress pants and dress shoes is required.  These students will check-in school owned instruments, and their concert band folders, at the conclusion of the ceremony.

Members of the Concert Band are excused from participating this evening.  While we appreciate Concert Band student preparation for this event, we simply cannot fit everyone in the Purple Gym in our allotted space, and we will first excuse our youngest band members (who will have a chance to play at future graduation ceremonies).

IMPORTANT:  Concert Band members must still check-in their school-owned instruments, and their Concert Band folders, with Mr. Miller in the band room.  This may be
 done either ...

- Today, from 4 - 6 PM (any time in this window, at your convenience)
- Monday, June 3, from 8 - 10:30 AM (any time in this window, at your convenience)

The check in should only take 5-10 minutes.

Congratulations Class of 2013!

It's graduation day!  The North High Fine Arts Department, and the DGN Bands, congratulates the Class of 2013, and sends all best wishes for a wonderful commencement this evening!

Thank you, band seniors, for your involvement in the arts at DGN.  We wish you well in all your future endeavors.  Please stay in touch, and come back for Alumni Band!

Dr. Tim Inspires DGN Band Leaders

The North Fine Arts Department was pleased and honored to welcome Dr. Tim Lautzenheiser back to campus to work with the Trojan Marching Band Leadership Team.

Dr. Tim's unparalleled energy and vision for excellence was infectious as members of the band's Leadership Team began setting goals for the 2013-14 school year.  It was an amazing afternoon!

Well played Seniors. Well played!!

DGN Jazz Heading to Chicago's Famed Jazz Showcase

Graduation is just days away, but earlier this week members of the 2012-13 DGN Jazz Ensemble learned that their school year is being 'extended' in a very exciting way:

The DGN Jazz Ensemble has been invited to perform at Chicago's Famed Jazz Showcase on Tuesday evening, June 25th, at 7:30 PM.  Opening for the Mark Colby Quartet, the DGN Jazz Ensemble will have the opportunity to share their music in one of the most famous jazz clubs in the United States.  

"Very few high school or college bands have the opportunity to play the Showcase," said Fine Arts Chairperson and band director Brayer Teague. "We are very honored that Mark Colby has invited our group to open for his quartet.  I'm sure this will be a performance that our students will remember for many, many years to come."

The cover-charge for the show will be $10 for adults ($5 for students).  Additional details will be posted as the become available.  Because the show was just announced, it does not yet appear on the official Jazz Showcase calendar of events.

Follow the Jazz Showcase on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/JazzShowcase

Official website: http://www.jazzshowcase.com/

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The Jazz Showcase is the oldest jazz club in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1947 by Joe Segal, who still owns and operates the venue.  Many famous musicians play (or played) at the Showcase on tour, including Dexter Gordon, Bunky Green, Count Basie, Kenny Burrell, Milt Jackson, Jimmy Smith, Bill Evans, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis Orchestra, Sonny Stitt, Joe Lovano, Dizzy Gillespie, George Benson, Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers, Art Farmer, Freddie Hubbard, Chris Potter, Frank Morgan, Danilo Perez, Larry Coryell, Paul Wertico, McCoy Tyner, and many others.  

DGN Bands Contribute Honorably to Community Memorial Day Events & Services

Thank you - and congratulations - to the men and women of the DGN Trojan Marching Band for their outstanding community service in both Woodridge and Downers Grove this morning.

Drums Lead Woodridge Parade

The DGN Drumline was up and moving early this morning at the Woodridge Memorial Day Parade.

Next stop ... Downers Grove.

Memorial Day Marching Band Performance Details

Tomorrow morning the DGN Marching Band will participate in several community performances.  For any student/parent who needs to refresh on performance & uniform expectations, the information sent home two weeks ago may also be found here:

https://www.box.com/s/ow6z0br67xdzwn9imur8

2013-14 Color Guard & Winter Guard Announced

Thank you to all students who auditioned for next year’s Color Guard and Winter Guard.  We truly appreciate the time and energy that many students put into the clinic and audition process.

Students selected (listed below) are asked to monitor e-mail closely for information about upcoming Summer practices.  

Congratulations to the following students who have been named to the 2013-14 squad:

Kelsey Barbato

Laruen Barbato, Captain

Grace Carlson

Alison Elgass

Emma Featherstone

Olivia Featherstone

Natalie Flynn

Amanda Godar

Wendy Goes

Emily Grigg

Emily Heppner

Elizabeth Heyler

Katie Igoe

Aysia James

Gina Kowalewicz

Maria Kowalewicz

Allison Palmer

Alex Price

Nicole Smetana

Rebecca Sprague

Lena Stangley

Madison Ukrin

Kayla Wielgosz

Karina Wise

Robin Younker, Captain

Winterguard Only

Allison LeBeda

Caymen Sheets 

DGN Jazz Ensemble Tapped for Performance at 2014 State Convention

2012-2013 DGN Jazz Ensemble

The Illinois Music Education Association announced this week that the DGN Jazz Ensemble has been selected to present a concert at the 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference.

"This is a tremendous honor for North High School," said Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague, who also leads the band.  "Dozens of Junior High, High School, and College music ensembles from across the state of Illinois submit performance applications for the state convention each year.  It is a real credit to our student musicians that DGN has been honored with an invitation to perform next year."

Members of the 2012-13 Jazz Ensemble spent time this past January and February preparing music for the application recording.  Bill Miller, co-director of the Jazz program at North High, served as the Audio Engineer for the project.  "The students worked very hard on the recording, and we are very proud that their efforts were recognized by the Illinois Music Education Association," said Miller.  "We are excited the band will have this opportunity to prepare for the state conference in 2014."

DGN Jazz Ensemble Class of 2013

Teague continued by crediting the members of the current senior class.  "We have a great group of seniors who have been tremendous leaders in our program.  While they will not have the opportunity to be a part of the performance in Peoria next January, their imprint on the band will be an important part of our preparation next fall.  Simply put, we wouldn't have received this invitation without their tireless work and dedication."

With more than 3,500 active members, the Illinois Music Education Association is one of the largest affiliates of NAfME: The National Association for Music Education, over 75,000 teachers strong.  ILMEA is, by far, the largest Fine Arts education organization and among the largest in the nation.  The 2014 Illinois Music Education Conference is expected to draw thousands of music educators, clinicians and exhibitors from across the nation to Peoria, IL during the four-day event.

Congratulations D99 Jazzers!

Mother Nature cooperated, and the students of the DGN and DGS jazz bands did not disappoint! It was an amazing night of music at Fishel Park. Congratulations to all of the musicians performing tonight in the final jazz concert of the year. 

Bond. James Bond.

The DGN Trojan Marching Band is proud to announce today that the 2013 fall show theme will commemorate 50 years of James Bond.  Musical highlights to include the themes from Skyfall, Live and Let Die, Goldfinger, From Russia With Love, and of course the iconic Main Theme that has captivated movie-goers for five decades.

"The music from James Bond films has always captured the interest of movie fans the world over," said Marching Band Director Bill Miller. "We are excited to tap this catalogue of memorable music for our 2013 show."

Don't Miss Jazz In The Park - 2013!

You don't want to miss the annual 'Jazz In The Park' concert, scheduled for Tuesday night, May 21st, at 6:30 PM in Fishel Park.  (Special pre-concert set by the DGS Jazz Workshop begins at 6:15 PM.)

This annual concert - which kicks off the Downers Grove Park District Summer Concert Series - is sure to please listeners of all ages.  Come out to support the jazz ensembles of DGN and DGS!

For out-of-town friends/family, we will attempt a remote webcast.  Presuming the technology works, you may view/hear the concert at:

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/2013-jazz-in-the-park-d99-jazz-310274


In case of inclement weather (DG Park District decision), the rain-location will be the DGN Auditorium.

2013 Graduation Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to all of the outstanding student musicians of the DGN A Cappella Choir and DGN Wind Ensemble.  Tonight's Graduation Concert was 'one for the books', with memorable performances by both ensembles.  

Special congratulations to senior soloists Erin Elgass (saxophone), Brett Latman (trumpet), as well as Jennifer Luby, who was the featured soprano soloist on Carmina Burana.

The Class of 2013 will long be remembered for their outstanding contributions to the arts community at North High School.  Kudos to one and all!






 
 


 
 




 
 




 
 


 
 


 
 


 
 

DGN Band Senior Award Winners!

Congratulations to the following five senior DGN Band students who were honored at the 2013 Awards Night with national awards:

John Philip Sousa Band Award: Erin Elgass

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award: Brett Latman

Patrick S. Gilmore Band Award: James Burke

Semper Fidelis Award: Marckus Simmons

Woody Herman Jazz Award: Augustine Calvino

Graduation Concert Thursday Night!

The 2013 Graduation Concert will feature the North High A Cappella Choir & Wind Ensemble in a program that will encompass a wide variety of literature and musical styles.  Senior Brett Latman (trumpet) and senior Erin Elgass (alto saxophone) will also perform featured concertos.

The concert will conclude with the band and choir joining forces on Carl Orff's epic masterpiece Carmina Burana.

The concert is Thursday night, May 16th, and begins at 7:00 pm in the Johnson Auditorium.

Out-of-town family and friends can view the concert online via our High School Cube live webcast.  (The video feed will also be archived and may be viewed after the concert has concluded.)  To see the concert online, go to:

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/2013-graduation-concert-a-cappella-choir-wind-enns-310140

2013 Band Banquet, Awards & Dance

Nearly 400 members of the DGN Band family gathered this evening at the historic Willowbrook Ballroom to commemorate the 2012-13 academic year.  

Thank you to the members of the Band Board and Leadership Team for their help setting up the event, and congratulations to the students of the DGN Band who were honored tonight.



 
 


 
 


 
 

Band Banquet Tonight!

Catch a Replay of the DGN May Band Concert

Did you miss tonight's DGN May Band Concert?  Or maybe you were there and want to see it again ... or share it with family who could not be with us?

Click here to be redirected to an archived video from High School Cube.

The Force Was Strong ...

... with the DGN Bands tonight!





Congratulations to the members of the Concert Band and Symphonic Band for terrific performances this evening at the May Band Concert!














Special shout-out to Senior Soloists Amanda Nagy and Michael O'Malley for their concerto performances!