DG Tree Lighting: DGN Trojan Marching Band Performance

Thank you to the members of the DGN Trojan Marching Band for your spirited holiday performance at the 2021 Village of Downers Grove Tree Lighting!

Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Make Good on Giving Tree Promises

DGN Welcomes Representatives from London’s New Year's Day Parade & Choral Festival Committee

Fine Arts faculty and students from North High School in Downers Grove have been invited to perform in the London's New Year's Day Parade & Choral Festival on January 1, 2023. On Wednesday, November 17, North High welcomed London's New Year's Day Parade & Choral Festival Committee for a ceremony and reception. View event photos HERE. View a broadcast of the invitation ceremony, HERE. 

The committee was welcomed by district and school administrators and North High band and choirs kicked off the ceremony by performing in the auditorium. The London delegates who formally invited North High School to London in 2023 included Mr. Bob Bone, London's New Year's Day Parade Founder and Executive Director; Mr. Steve Summers, London Mayors’ Association, Chairman; and Mr. Jonathan Whaley, Director of International Participation. The delegates presented the invitation to Dr. Hank Thiele, District 99 Superintendent; Dr. Courtney DeMent, Principal; Mr. Brayer Teague, Fine Arts Department Chairperson; and Mr. Robert Barnett, Mayor of Downers Grove.

“On behalf of the Fine Arts Department, we are honored to be invited to perform in London. The New Year’s Day Parade is one of the greatest parades in the world, and our marching band is thrilled to have the opportunity to return,” says North High Fine Arts Department Chair Brayer Teague. “The London International Choral Festival will be an outstanding performance opportunity for our singers, and we are excited to plan a cross-disciplinary tour that involves so many student musicians.” Teague added, “It was a pleasure meeting the committee and introducing them to our district and school administrators and our talented students and faculty.”

“North High School band and choir students will have a life-changing week in the historic city of London performing in the parade and immersing in a full educational program visiting museums, historic sites and places of architectural and artistic interest,” says London’s New Year’s Day Parade Executive Director Bob Bone. “We look forward to seeing the North High School students and staff to ring in the new year in 2023.”

In the parade, North High band students will perform to a street audience of over half a million people, with up to 600 million around the world watching on television. The parade will stream on the PBS Network in the United States. In the Festival Concert Series, choir students will perform to packed houses in some of London’s most prestigious music venues. The North High School Fine Arts Department participated in the parade in 2019 and 2015.

DGN Percussionist Makes Symphony Center Debut

DGN Band member/percussionist Kyra McComb made her Symphony Center debut on November 14. The Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra, now in its 75th Anniversary Season, performed their first live concert on the iconic Orchestra Hall stage in two years. 

Congratulations to Kyra, and all of the talented musicians of the CYSO!

Giving Tree - Day 5 Total - WOW!

The DGN Bands continue their 2021 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:00 PM on Friday, November 12, the DGN Bands have raised:

$6,044

DGN Band family and friends ... you are AMAZING! Thank you, thank you, thank you for your generous spirit! This is a RECORD amount of giving, and we are so appreciative!

The band has reached all of the (realistic) incentives! That means Mr. Smith and Mr. Teague will be preparing for their Thanksgiving Holiday by "roasting" one another in class on Tuesday, November 23. 

Want to witness Mr. Smith jumping fully clothed off the high-dive while wearing one of his signature cardigans? You'll have to come to the DGN Pool next Friday, November 19 at 3:40 PM to see it for yourself!

Also, on Friday, November 19th, it's "Dress Mr. Teague for Work" Day! Students are invited to bring clothing items and accessories to the Band Room at 7:45 AM, and "dress" Mr. Teague for the day ahead. 

Mr. Smith's Cooking Livestream, and another new TeagueTok, are also in the works. Stay tuned!

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith Dyes his Beard Purple & New TeagueTok

$2,000 Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream & New TeagueTok

$3,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Roasting Battle in front of all band classes. 

$3,500 The Band dresses Mr. Teague for a day.

$4,000 Mr. Smith jumps off the high-dive, into the pool, fully clothed and wearing a cardigan. 

$1,000,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Skydive

We are overwhelmed by the giving-spirit of our DGN Band family. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who contributed this week! 

DGN Band Update 11-12-21

 

Please take a moment this morning to read through this week's band update for information about the London Invitation Ceremony, the Giving Tree donations, the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Trojan Marching Band Jackets, and the Trojan Pep Band. There's a lot going on in the DGN Band Program right now - please read carefully! If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!

DGN BAND UPDATE

Giving Tree - Day 4 Total

The DGN Bands continue their 2021 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:30 PM on Thursday, November 11, the DGN Bands have raised:

$2,615

We are very appreciative of the giving-spirit of our DGN Band family. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who have already contributed! 

The band has reached the second incentive, so get excited about a Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream, and another new TeagueTok. Speaking of which, did you see Mr. Teague's new "TeagueTok,"  posted earlier today, with special guest dancer, Mr. Smith?

Have you been waiting to make your donation? It's now or never: TOMORROW is your last chance!!

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith Dyes his Beard Purple & New TeagueTok

$2,000 Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream & New TeagueTok

$3,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Roasting Battle in front of all band classes. 

$3,500 The Band dresses Mr. Teague for a day.

$4,000 Mr. Smith jumps off the high-dive, into the pool, fully clothed and wearing a cardigan. 

$1,000,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Skydive

Giving Tree - Day 3 Total

The DGN Bands continue their 2021 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:30 PM on Wednesday, November 10, the DGN Bands have raised:

$1,570

We are very appreciative of the giving-spirit of our DGN Band family. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who have already contributed! 

The band has reached the first incentive, by the "purple hair of Mr. Smith's chinny-chin-chin!" And stay-tuned for Mr. Teague's next "TeagueTok!"

Have you been waiting to make your donation? Don't wait too long because our giving-window closes on FRIDAY!

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith Dyes his Beard Purple & New TeagueTok

$2,000 Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream & New TeagueTok

$3,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Roasting Battle in front of all band classes. 

$3,500 The Band dresses Mr. Teague for a day.

$4,000 Mr. Smith jumps off the high-dive, into the pool, fully clothed and wearing a cardigan. 

$1,000,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Skydive

Giving Tree - Day 2 Total

The DGN Bands are off to a great start on the 2021 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:30 PM on Tuesday, November 9, the DGN Bands have raised:

$1,320

We are very appreciative of the giving-spirit of our DGN Band family. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who have already contributed! 

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith Dyes his Beard Purple & New TeagueTok

$2,000 Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream & New TeagueTok

$3,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Roasting Battle in front of all band classes. 

$3,500 The Band dresses Mr. Teague for a day.

$4,000 Mr. Smith jumps off the high-dive, into the pool, fully clothed and wearing a cardigan. 

$1,000,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Skydive

Giving Tree - Day 1 Total

The DGN Bands are off to a great start on the 2021 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:30 PM on Monday, November 8, the DGN Bands have raised:

$1,035

We are very appreciative of the giving-spirit of our DGN Band family. We extend our deepest appreciation to all the band students and families who have already contributed! As you will see, we are close to making Mr. Smith dye his beard Purple, and Mr. Teague release a new TeagueTok.

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith Dyes his Beard Purple & New TeagueTok

$2,000 Mr. Smith Cooking Livestream & New TeagueTok

$3,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Roasting Battle in front of all band classes. 

$3,500 The Band dresses Mr. Teague for a day.

$4,000 Mr. Smith jumps off the high-dive, into the pool, fully clothed and wearing a cardigan. 

$1,000,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague Skydive

DGN Band Update 11-5-21

 

Congratulations to ALL of our students who have performed in concert in the past week. The Trojan Marching Band, Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble should be very proud of their performances!

Please take a moment today to read through this update as a family to find information about the annual Giving Tree initiative, a marching band performance at the Downers Grove Tree Lighting Ceremony, the London Tour Kick-Off Meeting, Trojan Marching Band Jackets, and the Trojan Pep Band. 

DGN BAND UPDATE

Thank you for a great week! Our students are feeling very loved and supported by our community members and families who came to support them at their concerts. It was an excellent week for the the DGN Band program!

Congratulations DGN Symphonic Band and Jazz Bands!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Jazz Lab Band, DGN Jazz Ensemble, and the DGN Symphonic Band for their terrific performances in the Fall Band Concert!

If you missed the concert, or would simply enjoy hearing it again, video is available HERE. Concert Program HERE.

Fall Band Concert # 2- Tonight at DGN, and Livestream

 

Please join the Downers Grove North Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and Symphonic Band for a concert this evening in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Out-of-town family and friends are invited to tune-in on the DGN Fine Arts YouTube Channel, or by following the provided link below.

Fall Band Concert 2 (Jazz Lab/Jazz Ensemble/Symphonic Band)

Thursday, November 4, 7:00 PM CST

https://youtu.be/4cfDWMiZeWA

Printed program, HERE.

Bravo DGN and Herrick Bands!

Congratulations to the members of the Herrick Middle School Band, DGN Concert Band and DGN Wind Ensemble for a spectacular Fall Concert!

If you missed the concert, or would simply enjoy hearing it again, video is available HERE. Concert Program HERE.