Band Hat on Vacation

Where are YOU taking your band hat on vacation this summer? Don't forget to email us your best shots of the band hat enjoying world travels. Thanks to incoming freshman band student Jessica Chika for sharing this clever image from Mt. Rushmore!

Mr. Teague sends "Cheers" from London

Hello to the members of the DGN Bands and Athenas from Merry Ol' England!

I am in London this week, having been invited by the London Parade Festival event organizers to attend a series of planning and logistics meetings relative to our upcoming performance at the end of the year.  The trip has been exceptionally well organized thus far, and I find myself even more excited about our invitation to perform than I had been previously.  (Is that possible?!)

This morning I had a chance to experience the luxury motor-coach tour that each participant will enjoy in December.  Following that tour the parade organizers then had each of the band directors walk the entire 2.2 mile parade route so we could see exactly what to expect.  

As you might guess, the route is spectacular, and will take us through he heart of London, ending at Westminster Abbey, Big Ben, and the Houses of Parliament.  Quite a bit of time was spent explaining the TV-zone to us, and going over very detailed instructions about how the band will be featured in this area.  Unlike any other parade I have been a part of in the past, there will be a specific 60-second period of time in which the band will actually turn to perform for the grandstands, and do a bit of drill while playing.  We will have to work on this very specifically next fall as we prepare for the tour.

Here is a picture of the area where the television performance will be broadcast to millions of people, all over the world.  Picture three massive grand-stands for seating in front of the buildings, and television cameras all over!

The remainder of my meetings this week will include opportunities to set our tour literature for the Wind Ensemble's performance in a New Year's Gala Concert, visit the concert hall where we will perform, visit with the hotel manager about the specific logistics of our band's accommodations (I'm staying in the hotel we will be in ... and you are going to LOVE it), and finalize all of the details of our itinerary (such as sight-seeing tours).

Here is a picture of the lobby of our hotel, The Cumberland.  It is very modern, with a lot of interesting art.  Much of the visual art (sculptural, video, etc.) is accentuated by translucent floor tiles that change color throughout the day.  Click the hyper-link above to see more about the hotel.

I will sign off this post by adding that our walk along the parade route today was - by coincidence - in the middle of England's World Cup match this afternoon.  Many schools let out early and many businesses in London closed so that people could watch the game.  Many flags flying for England today, including on the back of the taxi cabs.

As I was walking the parade route with the event organizers, and taking notes about the angles and width of various turns, a simultaneous loud roar erupted from many pubs as England scored and went ahead 1-0.  We had just walked through Piccadilly Circus (think London's version of Times Square), and the large video monitors were reporting that the USA had yet to score in their match.  This was important because England's chances of advancing into the final 16 were significantly improved today if USA played to a draw, or lost.  I returned to the hotel and walked into the lobby (where many had gathered to watch the match) just as the England game was ending.  Joyful cheering in the lobby was suddenly dulled when it was announced that the USA had just scored a goal in their match against Algeria (in the 91st minute) and had gone on to win ... thereby leaping over England in the standings.  I smiled, and quietly walked away from the crowd to the elevator.  

I look forward to seeing many of you next week at the D99 Marching Band rehearsal for the July 4th parade.  It's getting really hot in this phone booth ...

Jazz In The Park

Congratulations to the DGN and DGS jazz bands for a terrific
performance this evening in Fishel Park.

Band Banquet Set Up Crew

Great appreciation and thanks is extended to the students who helped
with the all-afternoon set-up of the 2010 Band Banquet. We couldn't
have done it without you!

Band Banquet Tonight

The 2010 Band Banquet is tonight at the historic Willowbrook
Ballroom. We are looking forward to celebrating with nearly 400
members of the Band family!

Tuning Up for a World Premiere

The members of the Wind Ensemble worked with composer Don Owens after school today in preparation for tomorrow night's 'Graduation Concert.'  The Wind Ensemble will present the World Premiere performance of Triple Set (2010), a 22 minute, three-movement work that features three solo percussion 'sets' - and harp - along with the full forces of the contemporary wind band.

"Working with a composer is alway exciting, but having the chance to premiere an original composition that was written especially for this group of students is a wonderful opportunity for the members of the Wind Ensemble," said Fine Arts Department Chairperson Brayer Teague.

Featured soloists in the triple-concerto include Michelle Hsu (sophomore), Emma Sassano (senior) and Isaac Stevenson (junior).  The solo harp part will be performed by Hannah Young (sophomore).  Each of these four students have been working directly with the composer for over six months in preparation for the premiere.

"I've shown the musical score to colleagues all over the world, and the reaction is similar each time someone looks at the music.  They say, 'I can't believe a high school ensemble can play it," mused composer Don Owens as he addressed the musicians on stage during the final dress rehearsal.  "You have my deepest admiration and respect for all the time and energy you have put into realizing this music."

The Graduation Concert will be held on Thursday, May 20, 2010, at 7:00 p.m. in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of North High.

Graduation Concert this Thursday!

The end of the school year is so very close. The Prom is in your rear-view mirror, and the band can be heard rehearsing 'Pomp and Circumstance' down the hallway. Soon the Class of 2010 will march through Commencement in their flowing purple and white gowns. But BEFORE we get ahead of ourselves, let's not forget the annual DGN "Graduation Concert," featuring the members of the A Cappella Choir and the Wind Ensemble!

The Graduation Concert will be held this Thursday, May 20, at 7 PM in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium. Come hear the amazing sounds of the A Cappella Choir and the Wind Ensemble as we honor the Class of 2010. The program will feature several special musical highlights, including senior soloist Joe Garcia, the World Premiere of a special composition written especially for the North High Bands and guest-conducted by composer Don Owens, and an exciting performance of the powerful "Sinfonia Voci" which was composed to honor the students and faculty of Plainfield High School following the tornado that leveled that school twenty years ago this spring.

You won't want to miss this opportunity to 'send off' the Class of 2010! See you Thursday night at the Graduation Concert!

2010-2011 DGN Color Guard Announced

Thank you to all who auditioned for the DGN Color Guard.  We appreciate everyone's efforts and interest in this section of the Trojan Marching Band.

Congratulations to the members of the 2010-2011 DGN Color Guard:

Lauren Barbato

Teagan Clinton, Co-Captain

Julie Daugherty

Kylie Flannigan

Alex Jaimes

Anna Kowalewicz, Co-Captain

Maria Kowalewicz

Katie Kropp, Co-Captain

Becca Kulik

Marilyn Lauterbach

Rachael Palmer

Megan Sybeldon

Lauren Weisner

Sarah Wilson 

May Band Concert a Sonic Success!

Congratulations to the members of the DGN Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Symphonic Band Percussion Ensemble, and members of the Chamber Winds for an outstanding concert this evening!

Marching Band Leadership Team 2010-2011

A special thanks is extended to all DGN Band students who auditioned to be a part of the 2010-2011 Marching Band Leadership Team.  Nearly 60 students auditioned for less than 30 positions.  We appreciate all of the effort that students put into their auditions.

A list of this year's Leadership Team (excluding Percussion and Guard - which will be determined in May) will be launched on the North Band's Blackboard 'Organization' site at 5 PM this evening.  Students looking for a roster of the team are asked to log into Blackboard after 5 PM.