Please join the DGS
Jazz Ensemble on any of our 3 weekend performances of Duke Ellington’s Sacred
Jazz Music at 3 local Methodist churches, beginning this Sunday, February 7, at
the First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove. As a part of our
performances, we will be spreading awareness and receiving donations for the
Memorial Peace Garden. We will also perform in Woodridge on February 21,
and Hinsdale on February 28. Times and locations are included on the
poster above.
What makes this so unique for our students is that while
Duke Ellington composed over 6,000 pieces of music in his lifetime, these
particular works he called his “Sacred Concerts” where what he considered to be
his most important work. Each year, our Jazz Bands have the opportunity
to receive six newly re-discovered Duke Ellington compositions through our
association with the Essentially Ellington Festival in New York.
This experience gives our students a look at the sacred music which was
not otherwise available until now, and at how performing jazz in a church
setting is yet another gift Ellington has given to humanity and the jazz world.
If you are so inclined, please plan on attending one of the 5 services. We hope you will enjoy this unique music and our chance to spread the word about our Memorial project as well.
