Members of the Downers Grove South High School Jazz program took their show on the road this past weekend, participating in the 21rst Annual Purdue University Jazz Festival. This regional festival, which features oustanding high school jazz bands from more than 70 schools from Illinois, Michigan and Indiana, began with a Friday evening performance that featured the Vanguard Jazz Orchestra from New York city. On Saturday, more than 1,000 student musicians performed for panels of internationally acclaimed jazz musicians for feedback and as part of a competition.
The DGS Jazz Ensemble performed in the Loeb Playhouse and earned a Division I rating. Additionaly, the Jazz Ensemble was named the Honor Band for Loeb Playhouse for the day. The DGS Jazz Ensemble has been named an Honor Band at Purdue in '07, '10 and '11. Twelve DGS student musicians earned Oustanding Musicianship/Soloist Awards from the judges. Congratulations to Carmy Calabria, drums; Mike Ruth, alto saxophone; Trevor Yde, drums; Julia Wood, bass; Billy Moroney, tenor saxophone; Andrada Pteanc, bass; Alex Bahaveolos, trombone/vocals; Ian Williams, piano; Zach Plata, clarinet; Josiah Williams, trombone; Elliot Bild, trumpet; and Christian Siki, alto saxophone.
The DGS Jazz Lab Band performed in Stewart 302, earning a Division I rating. Additionally, the DGS JLB earned an Oustanding Performance citations, placing second in their room for the day. DGS JLB has earned either Outstanding Performance ('07, '08, '09, '11) or Honor Band ('10) over the past four years. Eleven students earned Oustanding Musicianship/Soloist Awards from the judges. Congratulations to Joe Hughes, trombone; Milo Pokrzywnicki, piano; John Shimanek, trumpet; Chris Reusz, alto saxophone; Matt Glad, piano; Brian Moroney, drums; Mason Maguire, tenor saxophone; Sean Hux, tenor saxophone; Morgan Baade, baritone saxophone; Kelly Papanicholas, alto saxophone; Ben Stearns, guitar.
DGS also had two student-led combos that performed during the course of the day. One of the two combos earned a Division I rating for thier performance. Between the two combos, nine students earned Oustanding Musicianship/Soloist Awards. Congratulations to Mason Maguire, tenor saxophone; Julia Wood, bass (2); Alex Bahaveolos, trombone; Carmy Calabria, drums (2); Ian Williams, piano (2); Mike Ruth, alto saxophone; Elliot Bild, trumpet; Christian Siki, alto saxophone; Sean Hux, tenor saxophone.
Additionaly, sophomore Christian Siki was named one of two OUTSTANDING SOLOISTS in the South Tower Combo performance room. Christian also earned this distinction for his work with the DGS Lab Band at the 2010 Festival.
"This festival is truly a jazz immersion weekend, and we are completely proud of how our students performed both on and off the stage at the festival." said DGS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "Having a showing of this calibre at a festival of this size and scope speaks to the high performance level of the student jazz musicians here at DGS."
Come and hear the award winning DGS and DGN jazz groups on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at 7:00 PM in North High's Clarence Johnson Auditorium as they share the stage with the renowned Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble and guest artist Ernie Watts. Takes are $8 for adults and $6 for students and are available at the door.
