DGN Jazz Musicians Return to Purdue

Congratulations to the student musicians of the North High School Jazz Program for their inspired and energetic performances at the 2023 Purdue Jazz Festival. The DGN Jazz Ensemble and DGN Jazz Lab Band performed alongside more than 100 high school ensembles from five states across the Midwest. This was the 33rd Annual Purdue Jazz Festival, and DGN's first trip back to the event post COVID-19.

In addition to receiving scores from a panel of adjudicators, each group received real time formative feedback from each judge in an audio recording. This feedback is essential to the continuing growth of both individual students and the musicianship of each ensemble.  

The DGN Jazz Ensemble received a Division I rating from the panel of judges, the highest rating on the scoring rubric. Congratulations to Ian McDermott and Adam Pearson, who were tapped with Outstanding Solo award recognitions during DGN performances. 

Guest Clinician - Kevin Geraldi, University of Illinois - inspires DGN Band students

We were so excited to have the new Director of Bands at the University of Illinois on campus to work with the Concert Band and Wind Ensemble students. DGN has a long history of sending musicians and performers to U of I, either as music majors, members of the Marching Illini, or as students playing in their on-campus bands. 

Kevin Geraldi was just recently appointed as the new Director of Bands. You can read more about him HERE. 

The DGN Bands are always grateful to the guests that come and share their expertise, experience, and passion with our students. We look forward to having him back soon!

DGN Band Board and Leadership Team Holiday Party 2022

 

The annual Band Leadership Holiday Party for our Band Board and Leadership Team is a time for us to say "thank you" to our student leaders who do so much to keep our program running successfully, and to share some holiday spirit with each other! (This is also the only time of the year where we allow students to break the 'no-food-in-the-band-room' rule!) From white elephant gift exchanges and pizza, to festive socks and slightly "adjusted" holiday carols, this was surely an afternoon to remember!

Happy Holidays to all of our band students and families! We extend to you the warmest wishes of the season.

Giving Tree Incentives: Hot Ones Interview / Pie-In-The-Face

Giving Tree 2022: Final Total!

The band reached their first FIVE giving incentives! The grand-total raised this year was:

$4,737. Instrumental music families have raised a remarkable $6,851!

Giving Incentives Achieved / Schedule of Fulfillment: 

$1,500 Mr. Smith will finally Livestream the cooking show he promised last year. 

Livestream: Tuesday, November 22, 5 PM. Step virtually into Mr. Smith's kitchen as we all anticipate an extended holiday weekend of cooking! Streamed live on Twitch. Be sure to follow "mrsmithstreams."

Mr. Teague will release an all-new TeagueTok (with guest dancer, Ms. Vesco).

Stay tuned, and make sure TikTok users are following @mrteaguetok. 

$2,000 Band members “Dress the Drum Majors” at the Dec.13 London practice.

Band members, don't forget to bring "items" for the DMs to wear on Dec. 13!

$3,000 Mr. Smith dyes his hair/beard purple. Mr. Teague wears a full-body Chicken costume to work. Ms. Vesco participates in “Dress the Student Teacher Day.”

Look for Mr. Smith's purple hair and Mr. Teague's Chicken costume this Friday, November 18. Students may also "dress Ms. Vesco" for work from 8:10 - 8:20 AM, in the Band Room. 

$3,500 Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Vesco will participate in a “Hot Ones” Interview, ingesting 10 chicken-wings with increasingly hotter hot sauce. 

The interview and culinary punishment will take place in either the Band Room or on the Auditorium Stage (details still being worked through) this Friday, November 18, at 3:30 PM. Students may attend!

$4,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will each take a “pie in the face” (date & time TBA). Any student who makes a contribution of $10+ will have their name entered into a random drawing, and two names will be drawn to deliver the pies! 

Following the "Hot Ones" interview on Friday, November 18, Mr. Smith and Mr. Teague will conclude the day by taking a pie in the face. A random drawing will take place, at the event, to see which two students get to toss the pies. Any student/family that made a donation of at least $10 will have their name entered in the drawing. (Must be present to win!) 

DGN Musicians at ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival

Congratulations to DGN student musicians who participated in the ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 12, 2022 at York High School. We are so proud of your accomplishments as jazz musicians!

Leah Costello (12) – Soprano (Vocal Jazz Ensemble II)

John Fioti (11) – Bass Trombone (Jazz Band I)

Fernando Garduno-Cadena (11) – Trumpet (Jazz Band II)

Jessica Gruszka (12) – Trumpet (Jazz Band III)

Ethan Weingust (11) – Bari Sax (Jazz Band II)

Congratulations are also extended to Mr. Jerry Lowrey, DGS Fine Arts Department Chairperson, for his selection to lead one of this year's ILMEA District 1 jazz ensembles. 

A heartfelt thank you to our colleagues at York High School for hosting the festival for the day. Your work and hospitality was greatly appreciated!

Giving Tree: Day 5 Update ... Big News!

Big News! The band has reached their first FIVE giving incentives! As of 11:00 AM on Friday, November 11, the DGN Bands have raised:

$4,027

Our colleagues in the string section have also "orchestrated" (get it?) an amazing amount of charitable giving this year. Their current total is:

$2,039

Instrumental music families have raised - so far - a remarkable $6,066!

WOW! We are so appreciative of the giving-spirit of our DGN Band and DGN Orchestra! 

So ... 

YES! Mr. Smith will have to dye all the hair on his head purple.

YES! Mr. Teague will have to wear a Chicken Costume to school.

YES! Students will get to dress Ms. Vesco for work.

YES! Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Zall and Ms. Vesco will be ingesting 10 chicken wings with insanely hot sauce!!!

YES: Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will be taking a pie to the face!

 

The giving links remain open through 11:59 PM this evening. We will share one final update on Monday.

CLICK HERE to make a donation! Feel free to share the link with family and friends, near and far, who might consider participating. The deadline for giving is TOMORROW! 

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith will finally Livestream the cooking show he promised last year. Mr. Teague will release an all-new TeagueTok (with guest dancer, Ms. Vesco).

$2,000 Band members “Dress the Drum Majors” at the Dec. 13 London practice.

$3,000 Mr. Smith dyes his hair/beard purple. Mr. Teague wears a full-body Chicken costume to work. Ms. Vesco participates in “Dress the Student Teacher Day.”

$3,500 Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Vesco (& Ms. Zall if Orchestra reaches its giving goal) will participate in a “Hot Ones” Interview, ingesting 10 chicken-wings with increasingly hotter hot sauce. The interview will be held in the Band Room (date & time TBA); students may attend live, or watch a livestream.

$4,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will each take a “pie in the face” (date & time TBA). Any student who makes a contribution of $10+ will have their name entered into a random drawing, and two names will be drawn to deliver the pies! 

$5,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will perform a Holiday classic, in all band classes, on instruments they are not very good at. Video recording allowed.

$10,000 Mr. Smith will participate in the Chicago Arctic Plunge (March 2023). Mr. Teague will watch and laugh. 

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

Giving Tree 2022 - Day 4 Total

News Flash! The band has reached their first two giving incentives! As of 3:00 PM on Thursday, November 10, the DGN Bands have raised:

$2,327

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!

Have you been waiting to make your donation? Tomorrow is the last day! 

Is it possible that Mr. Smith will have to dye all the hair on his head purple? Will Mr. Teague have to wear a Chicken Costume to school? Will students dress Ms. Vesco for work? Will all of them, plus Ms. Zall be forced to ingest 10 chicken wings with insanely hot sauce?  

CLICK HERE to make a donation! Feel free to share the link with family and friends, near and far, who might consider participating. The deadline for giving is TOMORROW! 

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith will finally Livestream the cooking show he promised last year. Mr. Teague will release an all-new TeagueTok (with guest dancer, Ms. Vesco).

$2,000 Band members “Dress the Drum Majors” at the Dec. 13 London practice.

$3,000 Mr. Smith dyes his hair/beard purple. Mr. Teague wears a full-body Chicken costume to work. Ms. Vesco participates in “Dress the Student Teacher Day.”

$3,500 Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Vesco (& Ms. Zall if Orchestra reaches its giving goal) will participate in a “Hot Ones” Interview, ingesting 10 chicken-wings with increasingly hotter hot sauce. The interview will be held in the Band Room (date & time TBA); students may attend live, or watch a livestream.

$4,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will each take a “pie in the face” (date & time TBA). Any student who makes a contribution of $10+ will have their name entered into a random drawing, and two names will be drawn to deliver the pies! 

$5,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will perform a Holiday classic, in all band classes, on instruments they are not very good at. Video recording allowed.

$10,000 Mr. Smith will participate in the Chicago Arctic Plunge (March 2023). Mr. Teague will watch and laugh. 

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

For the 27th consecutive year, the DGN Bands are supporting 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.

Giving Tree 2022 - Day 2 & 3 Totals

The DGN Bands continue their 2022 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:00 PM on Wednesday, November 9, the DGN Bands have raised:

$1,402

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 nearly reached the first giving-incentive. (The DGN Orchestra students have already raised $1,679!)

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

CLICK HERE to make a donation! Feel free to share the link with family and friends, near and far, who might consider participating. The deadline for giving is Friday, November 12th. 

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith will finally Livestream the cooking show he promised last year. Mr. Teague will release an all-new TeagueTok (with guest dancer, Ms. Vesco).

$2,000 Band members “Dress the Drum Majors” at the Dec. 13 London practice.

$3,000 Mr. Smith dyes his hair/beard purple. Mr. Teague wears a full-body Chicken costume to work. Ms. Vesco participates in “Dress the Student Teacher Day.”

$3,500 Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Vesco (& Ms. Zall if Orchestra reaches its giving goal) will participate in a “Hot Ones” Interview, ingesting 10 chicken-wings with increasingly hotter hot sauce. The interview will be held in the Band Room (date & time TBA); students may attend live, or watch a livestream.

$4,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will each take a “pie in the face” (date & time TBA). Any student who makes a contribution of $10+ will have their name entered into a random drawing, and two names will be drawn to deliver the pies! 

$5,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will perform a Holiday classic, in all band classes, on instruments they are not very good at. Video recording allowed.

$10,000 Mr. Smith will participate in the Chicago Arctic Plunge (March 2023). Mr. Teague will watch and laugh. 

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

For the 27th consecutive year, the DGN Bands are supporting 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.

Giving Tree 2022 - Day 1 Total

The DGN Bands are off to a great start on the 2022 Giving Tree campaign! As of 3:30 PM on Monday, November 7, the DGN Bands have raised:

$662

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!

We also congratulate the members of the Orchestra, who have raised $705 to date.

For the 27th consecutive year, the DGN Bands are supporting 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.

CLICK HERE to make a donation! Feel free to share the link with family and friends, near and far, who might consider participating. The deadline for giving is Friday, November 12th. 

Giving Incentives:

$1,500 Mr. Smith will finally Livestream the cooking show he promised last year. Mr. Teague will release an all-new TeagueTok (with guest dancer, Ms. Vesco).

$2,000 Band members “Dress the Drum Majors” at the Dec. 13 London practice.

$3,000 Mr. Smith dyes his hair/beard purple. Mr. Teague wears a full-body Chicken costume to work. Ms. Vesco participates in “Dress the Student Teacher Day.”

$3,500 Mr. Smith, Mr. Teague, Ms. Vesco (& Ms. Zall if Orchestra reaches its giving goal) will participate in a “Hot Ones” Interview, ingesting 10 chicken-wings with increasingly hotter hot sauce. The interview will be held in the Band Room (date & time TBA); students may attend live, or watch a livestream.

$4,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will each take a “pie in the face” (date & time TBA). Any student who makes a contribution of $10+ will have their name entered into a random drawing, and two names will be drawn to deliver the pies! 

$5,000 Mr. Smith & Mr. Teague will perform a Holiday classic, in all band classes, on instruments they are not very good at. Video recording allowed.

$10,000 Mr. Smith will participate in the Chicago Arctic Plunge (March 2023). Mr. Teague will watch and laugh. 

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