Chicago Tuba Christmas 2017

A record 411 low brass musicians, ages 11 through 81, performed today in the 2017 Tuba Christmas at the Palmer House Hotel. Congrats to our current and alumni @dgnbands participants!

2017 DGN Band Leadership Holiday Party

DGN Jazz Ensemble at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Ensemble on an outstanding performance tonight in the city!

DGN Holiday Mosaic Concert - Tuesday Night!

The 2017 DGN Holiday Mosaic Concert is sure to fill you with the spirit of the season! Two identical programs run at 5:30 and 8:00 PM Tuesday, December 5. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each concert for general seating.

2018-19 London New Year's Day Parade Tour Deposit - Due Friday, December 1

The first deposit for the London New Year's Day Parade Tour ($200) is due Friday, December 1.

If you have already activated your account with Destination Events, please CLICK HERE to log-in and make your deposit.

If you completed DGN's registration form, but never received an email from Destination Events with the words "Created Account" in the Subject Line, please check your SPAM FOLDER for the email. Many of the persons who have previously reported concern about not receiving the email later found it in their spam folder later. If you have searched your spam folder, and still cannot find the account activation email, CLICK HERE to email technical support and request assistance with your account.

Tree Lighting 2017

Congratulations and thank you to the DGN Trojan Marching Band for providing spirited music and holiday cheer at the 2017 Tree Lighting ceremony in downtown Downers Grove!

DGN Students at 2017 ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival

Congratulations to the ten DGN student-musicians selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association District Jazz Festival. Students from across the Chicago region were selected by competitive audition to participate in day-long educational workshops with highly respected guest conductors, and present a culminating concert for family, friends, and educators.

Jeremy Blumka (11) - Bass Trombone - Jazz Band I

Josie Bondarowicz (11) - Double Bass - Jazz Band III

Jamie Gamonez (12) - Soprano - Vocal Jazz 

Kevin Griffin (12) - Trombone - Jazz Band I

Ryan Knezevich (12) - Trombone - Jazz Band I

Kaylee McCarthy (12) - Trombone - Jazz Band III

Ish Mistry (10) - Trombone - Jazz Band II

Jonathan Orjala (10) - Trumpet - Jazz Band IV

Miles Teague (10) - Piano - Jazz Combo

Marz Tingzon (12) - Baritone Sax - Jazz Band III

Giving Tree Band Totals 2017 #WeAreDGN #99Learns

Thank you, and CONGRATULATIONS to the members of the DGN Bands who averaged $12 donations per student and raised an incredible $2,380 in three days to support needy children this holiday season. (Symphonic Band, $563; Concert Band, $761; Wind Ensemble, $1,056).  Wind Ensemble students had the highest giving average at $16 per student.  

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!

Giving Tree Update Day 2 - One Day Remaining!

The DGN Concert Band is still in 1st Place after the second day of giving! This is the first time in recent memory that Concert Band has led going into the third and final day of our fundraising campaign.  Every band class improved their giving percentage today; it's still "anyone's ballgame."  

In total we have raised $607 in two days (down from our two day total of $766 last year). This is less than half of what we raised in total last year ($1,618). We are hopeful that our most generous giving is still yet to surface!

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 Tuesday? 

Thanks to all our students for your consideration of those in need!

Congratulations to the Boys XC Team - State Champs!

From all of us in the DGN Bands, congratulations to the DGN Boys Cross Country Team on their 2017 State Championship! We're PROUD of YOU! Marching Band families - please check your email ASAP regarding ways to join in the celebration later this afternoon!

Giving Tree Day 1 - Concert Band Out In Front Quickly!

Congratulations to the DGN Concert Band for being in 1st Place after the first day of giving.  The Concert Band currently has an average giving rate of $1.64 per student in the class.  (We hope to reach an average level of $8 per student to be able and appropriately support our 20 adopted children.)

Who's in 2nd place?  We'll keep you guessing until Monday ...

Thanks to all our students for your consideration of those in need.

DGN Fall Band Concert - Symphonic Band / Jazz Lab / Jazz Ensemble

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Symphonic Band, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for their performances at tonight's Fall Band Concert!

DGN Fall Band Concert Invitational

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band & DGN Wind Ensemble for their performances at tonight's Fall Band Concert.

A special thank-you in extended to the bands of Jefferson Junior High School & Westview Hills Middle School for joining the DGN Bands on stage and sharing their music with the community.

Giving Tree Starts Friday!

For the 22nd consecutive year, the DGN Bands will work to support the “Giving Tree” initiative coordinated by the DGN Direct Action Club.  DGN annually supports 150 children and 25 senior citizens from the Humanitarian Service Project (HSP) in Carol Stream.  It is the mission of HSP “to alleviate the pain and suffering that poverty brings to needy seniors and children”.  Based on a screening process, HSP selects families for the Giving Tree from DuPage County and Kane County.

Based on our previous fundraising efforts, the DGN Band has adopted 20 children to support in 2017. 

We will pass an envelope in all band classes on Friday of this week, and Monday/Tuesday of next week.  Students will be invited (but not required) to make donations each of these three days.  This could be left-over lunch money, or a more substantial/purposeful donation.  The only thing we ask (for the sake of efficiently counting and managing the donations after each class period) is that students refrain from donating coins).  If your family would like to make a donation to this cause, via personal check, please make the check payable to “DGN Bands” and we will route the money through an account on campus prior to purchasing the holiday gifts for these twenty children. 

For fun, and to promote a friendly competition between band classes, we will track donations each day, and announce the average level of giving, per student, in each class.  The band class that has the highest average level of giving at the end of the three days will “win” a pizza party lunch, sponsored by Mr. Miller and myself. 

We look forward to supporting the positive work of the HSP, and encourage your Band student to give, as he/she is able.

With appreciation,

Brayer Teague

Back-To-Back Concerts (Wednesday/Thursday)

The students of the DGN Bands are pleased and proud to present two evening concerts this week, featuring five ensembles from North High, along with guest performances by the Jefferson Junior High School Band and Westview Hills Middle School Band.

Both concerts are free and open to the public. 

Click HERE to be directed to the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel, which will stream both events live and feature video-replay.

Wednesday, November 1 - 7:00 PM
Jefferson Junior High School Band
Westview Hills Middle School Band
DGN Concert Band
DGN Wind Ensemble

Thursday, November 2 - 7:00 PM
DGN Jazz Lab Band
DGN Jazz Ensemble
DGN Symphonic Band

Photos from London Invitation Ceremony (Google Drive Folder)

http://tinyurl.com/DGNLondonInvitePhotos

Thursday, October 19, 2017 was an exciting day in the history of the DGN Band program as Lord Mayor Duncan Sandys, great-grandson of Sir Winston Churchill, extended an invitation to the Trojan Marching Band to return to London, England and perform in the January 1, 2019 London New Year's Day Parade. Photos from the ceremony may be viewed and downloaded HERE.

Trojan Spirit Shines Through Inspired Performances at Final Regular Season Football Game

Congratulations to the members of the Trojan Marching Band for an inspired performance on a beautiful October night.

A special thanks is extended to the members of the Senior Class for their dedication to the Trojan Marching Band! Seniors, you will be missed!