DG Reporter story on All-State Musician Zach Plata

Follow the link below for a story about DGS student composer and All-State musician Zach Plata:

DG Reporter story on All-State Musician Zach Plata

Elmhurst Art Museum 2011 Portfolio Show Exhibit Information

For information about the 2011 Elmhurst Art Museum Portfolio Awards opening reception and exhibit, please follow the link below:

2011 Elmhurst Art Museum Portfolio Exhibit Information

Four Bald Trombonists................

Bald is now beautiful among trombonists at Downers Grove South High School.....................

National Scholastics Art and Writing Awards Announced

Reflect

Hayley Gomoll, artist

National Scholastics Gold Medal Award Winners

Mystic

Samantha Eubanks, artist

2011 Scholastics National American Vision Award & Silver Medal

South High School in Downers Grove is proud to announce the results of the 2011 National Scholastics Art and Writing Awards. In partnership with 107 Regional Affiliates, more than 90,000 students submitted 185,000 works of art and writing to the Awards. More than 9,000 Gold Key works of art and 3,000 works of writing were considered for National Medals. This year’s distinguished jurors have included Jennifer Blessing, the curator of photography at the Guggenheim Museum; poet and activist Nikki Giovanni; cartoonist – and Scholastic Award alum – Rodney Alan Greenblat; journalist John Hockenberry; Kenyan-born painter Wangechi Mutu; and skateboard legend Tony Hawk, who judged videogames.

From the sum total of all the works submitted nationally, South High School is pleased to have student artists garner an American Vision Award, a Gold Medal Award, and a Silver Medal Award. These awards represent the highest in achievement and recognition for a high school student artist. Hayley Gomoll, student of Michelle Lynn, merited a national Gold Medal for her photograph titled Reflect, and Samantha Eubanks, student of Kathy Myles, merited a National American Vision Award and a Silver Medal for her ceramics piece titled Mystic.

"We are thrilled to have been strongly represented on a national level in Scholastics for three years running now in multiple media strands sponsored by mutliple faculty members." said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "The strength of the student work is attributed to our amazing staff, and, to a district, a school, and a community that values the arts strongly and continually."

For information about the visual arts at DGS, contact Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman, at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Mustang Musicians BALD for Baldrick's

Congratulations to Mustang musicians Brian Kelly, Joe Hughes and Matt Clark who were among the first ever DGS students to go "bald" for St. Baldrick's. DGS Fine Arts is incredibly proud of these young men for the money they've earned for cancer research, and, for their courage to step out and be pioneers in this project. Great job guys!

District 99 Spring Orchestra Concert

Congratulations to the members of the District 99 Orchestra for an outstanding concert this evening. Both the Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra played challenging repertoire with elegance and grace. Special "shout out" to senior soloists Erin Portman,

Zara Kisielius and Lauren DePaz for their stunning culminating musical experiences manifested in their solo performances this evening. The concert concluded with a rousing rendition of the 2011 IMEA required piece, Die Meistersinger von Nurnberg Overture by Wagner. Great job District 99 Orchestra!!!!

District 99 Vocal Honors Recital

A crown jewel in District 99, the Honors Vocal Recital showcases the finest student vocal performers and the depth and breadth of the collaboration that exists between the Fine Arts at North and South High Schools in Downers Grove.

Independently of each other, South and North High Schools host Vocal Music Festivals which featured more than 150 student events. Of those 150 events, 47 were chosen as honorable mention. Of those 47 honorable mention, 39 events were selected to participate in a run-off to earn a spot in the Honors Vocal recital. Of those 39 events, 20 events were selected to perform in this stunning recital.

Special kudos and congratulations are extended to the accompanists, the private voice faculty in District 99, and the distinct panel of professional adjudicators from both campuses that helped to shape this event. Additionally, the District 99 vocal team and accompanists model the collaboration and musicianship necessary to make this event a reality.

For more information about this event or about vocal music in District 99, contact Brayer Teague (bteague@csd99.org) at DGN or Glenn Williams (gwilliams@csd99.org) at DGS.

2011 DGS Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key Winners

Another "shout-out" to the 2011 DGS Scholastic Art & Writing Awards Gold Key winners:

Gold Key Award
Victor Aguirre – Drawing; Anne Marie Benedetto – Ceramics; Beth Biagi – Photography;

Bridget Bicek – Photography; Heather Bird – Drawing; Anna Both – Photography;

Mitchell Chapman – Photography; Margaret Cipriano – Photography (5);

Julianna Estall – Mixed Media (2); Samantha Eubanks – Ceramics/Glass;
Aura Evans – Drawing; Hayley Gomoll – Photography; Claire Hayse – Digital Art;

Adam Kotel – Digital Art; Adam Kotel – Photography (2); Jena Mancione – Photography;

Ashley Ramaglia - Ceramics/Glass; Rachel Riggin – Photography

District 99 Solo & Ensemble Contest

Congratulations to the 110 student musicians from District 99 that participated in today's Solo & Ensemble Contest.  Participating in an event, such as this, yields many wonderful opportunities for improving musicianship.  The North and South music faculty applaud all students who participated today for their preparation and commitment to personal musical growth.

The most important feedback that comes from an event such as this are the comment sheets from our panel of adjudicators.  The comment sheets will also help students understand the numerical rating that is assigned to their performance today.  These will be available to students when they return to school on Tuesday.  Please see your classroom music teacher for your sheets.

Ratings from today's contest may be found here.

2011 - Winter Band Concert - Symphonic Band & Wind Symphony

Congratulations to the student musicians in Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony for a fine performance this evening. The sonic and visual "travel-log" that accompanied Symphonic Band's performances of Dream Catchers, Suite Francaise and Three London Miniatures was impressive. Wind Symphony's stark interpretation of Camphouse's In Memoriam and the festive Rejouissance was both moving and uplifting. The culminating combined Undertow by John Mackey brought the crowd immediately to their feet. Based on the sounds this evening, the sonic future of the Mustang Bands continues to shine brightly indeed.

Winter Choir Concert 2011

Congratulations to the Mustang musicians that performed on the 2011 Winter Choir Concert. The depth and diversity of the repertoire was exceeded only by the passion and precision of the performers. Every ensemble executed challenging music with a high degree of musicianship. Great job tonight DGS Choirs - we are so proud of you all!