Mustang Conducts String Quartet

Thanks to Vincent Molina for sharing this shot of Milo the Mustang conducting the String Quartet as they perform at the 2010 Winter Art Show.

2010 Winter Art Show Slide Show

Images from the 2010 Winter Art Show are presented in the slide show on the right side of the blog. More than 250 images will enable you to remember the amazing student work until this time next year. Enjoy!

Emerging Artists 2010

As a facet of the 2010 Winter Art Show, students from Eisenhower, Jefferson, Lakeview and O'Neill participated in the in the exhibit. Special thanks to teachers Lindsay Briski, Eisenhower; Melissa Palmer and Susan Staudt, Jefferson; Alane Lexzatte, O'Neil; l and Donna Cirjakovic, Lakeview for taking the extra time and making the extra effort to make this show possible for their students. We anticipate these future Mustang visual artists will experience signficant success based on their current work. Well done future Mustangs!!!!!

Winter Art Show 2010

DGS Visual Art students and staff are busy transforming the Events Foyer into an art gallery. The 2D and 3D work of more than 600 student artists will be available for gallery viewing starting tonight, December 9, 2010 at 6:00 PM. The show remains up during regular business hours until Tuesday, December 14th at 8:00 AM.

2010 Holiday Concert w/guest artist Sam Stryke

DGS student musicians from DGS are preparing for the 2010 Holiday Concert, featuring guest artist Sam Stryke. Students in DGS bands, DGS choirs and the District 99 Orchestra will perform Thursday, December 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the Main Gym.

2010 DGS All-State Musicians

From the 56 student musicians selected to participate in IMEA Districts, 17 student musicians from Downers Grove South High School were selected, by competitive audition, to the 2010 Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band, Future Music Educator Seminar and Secondary General Music Composition Contest. The extremely competitive performance auditions were held in October at Hinsdale Central High School.

“This is a tremendous honor for these students,” said Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairperson at South High. “All-State selection represents the pinnacle of musical achievement for a high school student musician. We are very proud of our students, and look forward to hearing their performances in January.”

In addition to these select students performing with their respective All-State ensembles, the DGS Madrigals have been selected to perform at the IMEA State Convention. The Madrigals will perform in Peoria on Friday, January 28, 2011 from 10:15-10:45 AM.

In total, 31 student musicians from District 99 were selected for this prestigious performance honor.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, on January 27-29, 2011. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 28, and the afternoon of January 29, 2011.

All-State Band
Pat Bartlett – junior – tuba
Carly Charles – junior – horn
Billy Moroney – junior – clarinet
Lexi Osborn – senior – flute
Zach Plata – junior – clarinet
Michelle Spiewak – junior – horn
Tiffany Wu – senior - flute

All-State Choir
Lilly Space – senior – Alto I

All-State Honors Choir
Erin C. Walsh – junior – Soprano I
Samantha Worlton – senior – Alto II

All-State Orchestra
Aaron Collins – junior - Violin
Nikki Mihelich – senior - Cello
Lisa Salazar – junior – viola
Suzanne Segredo – senior - oboe

All-State Jazz Band
Mike Ruth – junior – Alto Saxophone

Future Music Educator Seminar
Callie Sorce

Music Composition Contest
1st place – Arranging – Rhapsody on Two Familiar Folk Songs
Zach Plata – junior

1st place – Vocal Solo – In Our Hearts
Meredith Richard - senior

2010 Holiday Concert to feature Sam Stryke

The Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove South High School is proud to present the 2010 Holiday Concert and Winter Arts Show. The Holiday Concert is Thursday, December 9, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the Main Gymnasium at South High School. The Winter Art Show opens at 6:00 PM on Thursday, December 9, 2010 in the DGS Events Foyer. Admission to both events is free, and the public is cordialy invited to attend.

This performance annually features 500 student musicians performing for an audience of just over 1,000. The Winter Art Show features the 2D and 3D work of just over 650 student artists. Counting the audience members as participants, just over 2,100 members of the Downers Grove community will celebrate the arts on the evening of December 9, 2010. As always, the evening will conclude with a combined rendition of Handel's Hallelujah!, a tradition in the community of Downers Grove since 1929. But this year, students and audience members will be provided with a special holiday sonic treat - guest artist Sam Stryke. Styke last performed in District 99 in December of 2008. This year, audience members will get to hear a taste of Stryke's newest release titled Joy to the World: A Symphony Pops Christmas. Stryke will perform with the District 99 Orchestra, and, with the District 99 Orchestra and Combined DGS Choirs.

"We are thrilled to have Sam Stryke back performing with our students." said DGS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "Even more so, we are certain the audience-goers will love Sam's fresh treatment of these holiday classics." "Between the sights in the foyer and the sounds in the gym, it is a virtual guarantee that every person in attendance will depart transformed in some manner by the artistic excellence of DGS artists." said Williams.

For more information about this performance, or about DGS Fine Arts, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Muriel Anderson and Tierra Negra @ DGS

Internationally acclaimed guitarists Muriel Anderson and Tierra Negra performed for student musicians and students studying the German language today. The trio was stunning in every aspect of performance and during their interactions with the students.

This trio performs in the DG North Auditorium on Saturday, November 27, 2010 at 8:00 PM. Be certain to check out this amazingly magical musical collaboration.

2010 District 1 IMEA Festival

Congratulations to the 47 student musicians from DGS that participated in the IMEA District 1 9/10 Choir, Band, Orchestra, and Chorus. Stunning and superlative sounds were heard during the rehearsals and afternoon performances. Well done Mustang musicians!!!

2010 DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational

Congratulations to the members of the O'Neill Middle School Band, Dave Balika, director; the Jefferson Junior High School Symphonic Winds, Keith Carlson, director; and the DGS Wind Ensemble, Craig Roselieb and Ron Hornish, directors. A fabulous evening of band music was shared at this 4th annual DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational. The sonic future of the Mustang Bands is bright indeed with these musicians on the verge of matriculating to DGS!!!!

Jefferson, O'Neill, & DGS Wind Ens

Catch the Jefferson JHS Symphonic Winds, the O'Neill Symphonic Band and the DGS Wind Ensemble. Tuesday, November 16, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. Free admission. Oh, yeah............................

Mustang Musicians @ IMEA Jazz Festival

Congratulations and kudos to the 13 DGS student musicians that participated in the District I IMEA Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 13, 2010 at Fenton HS.

Project Trio Video Links

Check out these two great Project Trio video links provided by DGS alum Melissa Tussing:


District 99 Orchestra w/Project Trio:
http://patch.com/A-cdYT

Project Trio performing Random Road Suite:
http://patch.com/A-cfck

DGS Fall Jazz Concert to feature DePaul University Jazz Ensemble

Friday, November 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. DGS Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and the renowned DePaul University Jazz Band directed by Bob Lark. Free admission. Be there. Aloha.

DGS Wind Ensemble @ Wentz Hall

The DGS Wind Ensemble performs on an invitational concert tonight with the North Central College Wind Ensemble. 8:00 PM at Wentz Hall on the campus of North Central College. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

DGS Bands Featuring the music of Andrew Boysen, Jr.

Check out the DGS Bands, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. Free concert. Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony performing. Featuring the music of Dr. Andrew Boysen, Jr. Free cheesecake samples after the concert. Oh, yeah.

D99 Orchestra and PROJECT TRIO

A fabulous concert tonight by the District 99 Orchestra with featured artists PROJECT TRIO. The audience and the students had their musical territories expanded in remarkable ways by this trio of musicians. Special shout out to D99 Orchestra Director Jennifer Mullen for her all she did to make this evening possible for the student musicians in District 99.

Woodridge Patch - DGS Madrigal Singers

Check out this great article by DGS alum Melissa Tussing in the Woodridge Patch about the upcoming Madrigal Singers trip to the IMEA All-State Conference in January of 2011:

http://woodridge.patch.com/articles/dgs-madrigal-singers-are-state-bound

Proejct Trio - TONIGHT, 11-09-10 @ 7:00 PM

Catch the internationally renonwed PROJECT TRIO, performing tonight with the District 99 Orchestra. A limited number of $15 tickets will be available at the door. The PROJECT Trio performs with the District 99 Orchestra on Tuesday, November 9th at 7:00 p.m. in the auditorium of Downers Grove South High School - this is one you won't want to miss!

Great job Mr. Brocker!!!

DGS Fine Arts wishes a fond farewell to student teacher Will Brocker. Mr. Brocker's final day with us is Friday, October 29th, although he will return to conduct on concerts on November 10th and November 12th. Best wishes to Mr. Brocker as he completes his Music Education degree at DePaul University. Thanks for all of the fabulous work you've done with our Mustang Musicians since early August - you'll be missed!!

Marching Mustangs - Your Name in Lights!!!!!!

DGS Fall Jazz Concert to feature DePaul University Jazz Ensemble

As outdoor temperatures begin to decrease and the leaves on the trees are changing color, there is nothing that can brighten the spirit quite like some hot jazz music. The DGS Fine Arts Department will present an upcoming concert that will certainly warm the soul of any audience goer that attends this event.

On Friday, November 12, 2010 at 7:00 PM, the award winning bands from Downers Grove South High School will present their fall jazz concert. The Jazz Workshop, directed by Ron Hornish, the Jazz Lab Band, directed by Glenn Williams, and the Jazz Ensemble, directed by Craig Roselieb, will open the evening with some of the finest high school jazz performances imaginable.

But wait, there's more.

To warm up the evening even more, the concert will conclude with a performance by the renowned DePaul University Jazz Ensemble, led by director Bob Lark. The Jazz Ensemble is one of fourteen student jazz groups at DePaul University, performing several times throughout the academic year both on and off campus. The band performs regularly throughout Chicago, including jazz venues such as the Jazz Showcase. Since Bob Lark’s appointment as Director of Jazz Studies and director of the Jazz Ensemble, the band has appeared at the Midwest Clinic, the International Association for Jazz Education Conference, the Duke Ellington International Conference, the National Association of Music Merchants Conference, the Jazz Party At Sea aboard the S.S. Norwegian Sun, twice aboard the Queen Elizabeth II ocean liner for their Annual Floating Jazz Festival, the Chicago Jazz Festival, and a concert tour of Italy. In speaking of director Bob Lark, jazz icon Clark Terry says, “He’s a very good trumpet player, a very good musician. He’s paid his dues.” Recently released on the Jazzed Media label is the critically acclaimed CD recording Cathy’s Song, by Bob Lark and Friends. Addition recordings on the Jazzed Media label include Live At The Jazz Showcase, and In Her Eyes, by the Bob Lark/Phil Woods Quintet, and Suggestions, by Bob Lark and Friends. He is an exclusive Yamaha Performing Artist. "We are thrilled to share the stage with this amazing ensemble, and, that our student musicians will be able to experience this world-class ensemble up close and personal." said DGS Fine Arts Chair Glenn Williams. "Even at $20, this concert would be a bargain. Given that it is free, we expect the house to be completely packed on November 12th." For more information about this event or DGS Fine Arts, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

2010 Marching Mustangs - State Finalist Band

Saturday, October 23rd, 2010 began with rain, wind and thunder. By 7:30 PM in the evening, the 2010 Marching Mustangs moved "Beyond the Storm" and earned a performance in the finals at the 45th annual State of Illinois Marching Band Championships at Illinois State University. This is only the second time in the history of South High School that a band has qualified for finals performance at this event. Greatness is not an event - it is a process. Fabulous work Marching Mustangs - we're all proud of you!

DGS 2010 IMEA District Audition Results

On Tuesday, October 12, 2010, 113 student musicians from Downers Grove South High School auditioned at Hinsdale Central High School to participate in the 2010 Illinois Music Educators’ Association District 1 Festivals. The music faculty, private teachers and sender school music teachers associated with Downers Grove South High School are proud to congratulate the 56 students in band, choir, jazz band, vocal jazz and orchestra who have been selected through highly competitive audition to participate in the 2010 IMEA District Festivals.

Student musicians enrolled in music ensembles in the DGS Fine Arts department continue annually to demonstrate remarkable success at both the District and All-State level. “The total number of participating students continues to be consistently high on an annual basis.” said DGS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. “Additionally, DGS is equally well represented in band, orchestra, choir, jazz band and vocal jazz.”

For more information about attending these district festivals, please contact Fine Arts Department Chairperson Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org or at 630.795.8681.

WIND & PERCUSSION
Pat Bartlett (11) – tuba/orchestra
Carly Charles (11) – horn/band
Tim Chow (11) – bass clarinet/band
Billy Moroney (11) – clarinet/band
Sherilyn Munoz (11) – clarinet/band
Lexi Osborn (12) – flute/orchestra
Zach Plata (11) – clarinet/band
Amanda Ruzek (12) – flute/band
Susanne Segredo (12) – oboe/orch
Callie Sorce (12) – tenor sax/band
Michelle Spiewak (11) – horn/orch
Tiffany Wu (12) – flute/band

ORCHESTRA/STRINGS
Aaron Collins (11) – violin
Sean Hux (10) – cello
Katie Krajewski (9) – viola
Megan McGivern (9) – viola
Nicole Mihelich (12) – cello
Andrew Molina (9) – cello
Lisa Salazar (11) – viola

JAZZ BAND
Elliot Bild (12) – trumpet
Carmy Calabria (11) – drum set
Marjorie Fera (10) – trumpet
Sean Hux (10) – trumpet
Billy Moroney (11) – tenor sax
Mike Ruth (11) – alto sax
Christian Siki (10) – alto sax
Josiah Williams (10) – trombone
Ian Williams (10) – piano
Julia Wood (10) - bass

CHORUS
Olivia Abrant (11) – alto II
Billy Chengary (11) – bass I
Sonny DelRosario (12) – tenor II
Colleen DeRosa (11) – alto II
Claire Drews (12) – soprano II
Lars Feste (11) – tenor II
Elise Floss (12) – alto II
Rosaley Gai (11) – alto II
Chante Gordon (11) – alto I
Caitlin Grudzinski (11) – soprano I
Adam Kohls (11) – tenor II
Taylor Lane (11) – soprano I
Dan Leahy (10) – tenor I
Joe Perchatsch (12) – tenor I
Savannah Riemer (10) – soprano I
Lily Space (12) – alto I
Amanda Strolia (12) – alto I
Erin C. Walsh (11) – soprano I
Erin M. Walsh (11) – alto I
Elly Walsh-Rock (10) – alto I
Megan Wanezek (12) – soprano I
Cory Wilson (12) – bass II
Sam Worlton (12) – alto II
Kyle Wulf (12) – bass II

VOCAL JAZZ
Joe Hughes (11) – tenor
Meredith Richard (12) – soprano
Erin C. Walsh (11) – soprano