Thursday, January 30, 2020

Madrigal Singers at the 2020 IMEC






Congratulations to the South High School Madrigal Singers for a stunning performance at the 2020 IMEC in Peoria, Illinois.  The students sang a challenging program of repertoire with artistry and sonic maturity.  The music teachers from around Illinois in attendance left inspired by the professional presentation of these Mustang musicians!

We extend a special thanks to everyone from our learning community who partnered with these student musicians to make this experience possible.  Thanks to South High School administration for support and for attending the performance.  Thanks to South High School Student Activities for ongoing support of our Mustang musicians.  Thanks to the parents who made the trip to support this student ensemble during the performance.  Thanks to the DGS Choir Boosters for their ongoing support.  Thanks to our articulated sender school staff for continuing to prepare students for success.  Finally, thanks to the D99 faculty who played a role in supporting the Madrigal Singers during this experience - it was a memorable day to be a Mustang!


Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Mustang Artists at the 2020 Chicagoland Scholastics Exhibition


The Fine Arts Department at South High School in Downers Grove is pleased to announce the results of the judging from the 2020 Chicagoland Area Regional Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School.  1,038 student artists representing 135 arts educators submitted 2,188 works for adjudication.  23 South High School visual artists merited 24 awards, including 9 Gold Key Awards, 9 Silver Key Awards, and 6 Honorable Mention Awards. 


"A Glimpse into the Past" - Photography - Ashley Boak


These pieces and all the award winning pieces from the region will be on public exhibition during the Opening on Sunday, February 2, 2020 from 1-4 PM in the auditorium foyer at North High School in Downers Grove.  The works will continue in exhibition for one week following the opening.  








                                                                              "Reminisce" - Drawing and Illustration - Madison Bilotta

“We are exceedingly proud of both the process followed by our student artists, and, of the products they all create.” said Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman at South High.  “Scholastic Art Awards represent a high point of artistic achievement for a high school Visual Artist.”  "We also congratulate our visual art faculty for mentoring these students through the artistic process." For more information about DGS Visual Art, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.


Error 324 - Drawing and Illustration - Alexis Pragides

Light and Dark Pathway - Photography - Ashley Boak

Gold Key Awards (9)
Madison Bilotta - Drawing and Illustration
Ashley Boak - Photography
Morgan Donahue - Photography
Eileen Harris - Drawing and Illustration
Catherine Kammerer - Mixed Media
Patrick Lowery - Digital Art
Hewane Melkie - Photography
Alexis Pragides - Drawing and Illustration
Arielle Williams - Photography


Silver Key Awards (9)
Skyler Groveau - Digital Art
Jillian Heiling - Ceramics and Glass
Jenna Hunter - Ceramics and Glass
Catherine Kammerer - Drawing and Illustration
Sofya Kristesashvili - Photography
Kaylee Kushta - Photography
Katie McGuire - Drawing and Illustration
Katie Novotny - Photography
yu (Lily) xinyang - Ceramics and Glass


Honorable Mention Awards (6)
Juliana Crooks - Ceramics and Glass
Samantha Groseth - Photography
Grace Malatia - Drawing and Illustration
Aloha Mendibles - Drawing and Illustration
Ben Skibbe - Ceramics and Glass
Elizabeth Spear - Photography

Tuesday, January 21, 2020

Madrigal Singers ready for State!



The South High School Madrigal Singers presented an All-State preview concert on Monday, January 20, 2020 at 7:00 PM at the Hinsdale United Methodist Church.  The friends, family and community in attendance were treated to an exquisite program performed with artistry and professionalism.


The 23 student musicians in the 2019-2020 Madrigal Singers were selected, through a competitive taped submission process, to participate in the 2020 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Convention (IMEC) in January in Peoria.  Appearing at a State or National convention is widely considered the pinnacle of performance excellence for a high school ensemble.

Previous convention appearances for the DGS Madrigal Singers include IMEC in 2011 and 2016 and at the Illinois Fall ACDA Convention (2014) and the ACDA Central Division Conference (2016.) 

"This is a tremendous honor for District 99 and for South High School." said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  "It's a credit to our student musicians that the South High Madrigal Singers have been selected to perform at the 2020 IMEC All-State Conference."

In addition to the current members of the ensemble, student musicians from recent years contributed to the process by being a part of the submitted audition recordings.  The Madrigal Singers are directed by Joy Belt-Roselieb.  Dr. Ricardo Pedroza is the collaborative pianist for the ensemble.

The Madrigal Singers will perform for the 2020 IMEC All-State Conference on Thursday, January 30, 2020 at 4:15 PM at the Scottish Rite Cathedral in Peoria.  

For more information about this performance or about choirs at South High School, contact Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman at gwilliams@csd99.org. 

Monday, January 20, 2020

Elmhurst College Honor Band Festival



Students from the Mustang Bands participated in the 2020 Elmhurst College Honor Band Festival on Saturday, January 18, 2020 on the campus of Elmhurst College.  Student musicians rehearsed music with guest conductors during the day and presented a concert showcasing their work in the evening.  The 9/10 band was led by Professor John Heath.  The 11/12 band was led by Professor James Hile.  A day of personal musical growth was experienced by every participant.  

Congratulations to these students for being nominated to participate:  Matt Elliott, euphonium; Allison Ford, trumpet; Mackenzie Johnson, flute;  Saahil Sorakala, bassoon;  Jonah Sprandel, saxophone;  Emily Wooton, clarinet.    



Saturday, January 18, 2020

2020 Purdue Jazz Festival Recap












Congratulations to the student musicians in the jazz program from South High School in Downers Grove for an outstanding showing at the 2020 Purdue Jazz Festival.   Three big bands and one chamber ensemble performed and competed with more than 80 high school ensembles from five states in the Midwest.  In addition to receiving a score from the panel of adjudicators in each room, each group received real time formative feedback from each judge in an audio recording.  Having a set of unbiased, professional judges provide a formative “sonic snapshot” is essential to the continuing growth of both individual students and the ensembles. 

Thanks to the Mustang Band Boosters and the parent chaperone team from the 2020 Purdue Jazz Festival for helping to make this trip such a success for the student musicians.

Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo all earned Division I ratings from their respective judging panels.  

Jazz Workshop earned an Outstanding Performance Citation, finishing second place their performance room.  Vocalist/drummer Henry Johnson was selected by the judges as an Outstanding Musician for the day in the same performance room.

Additionally, the following students were cited by the judging panels as Outstanding Soloists/Musicians for their performances:

Kenny Cramer, baritone saxophone

Agne Giedraityte, vocals
Henry Johnson, vocals/drums
Michael Joseph, alto saxophone
Jake Messina, trombone
Stephen Nicholson, bass
Tony Raso, guitar
Luke Schwab, tenor saxophone
Evan Sumida, alto saxophone
Nathan Wiechec, trombone (2)

“We are proud of these student musicians for their dedication to individual and group excellence in jazz performance.” said director Glenn Williams.  “On and off the stage this student musicians represented our school and community in the finest possible manner.  I’m fiercely proud to travel with these students and have them represent our learning community in such a professional manner.”

More videos and photos are archived on the Mustang Band Boosters web site.  Thanks to Mr. Robert Brandt for capturing and archiving these moments.  

Thursday, January 09, 2020

2020 South High School Jazz Cafe














Congratulations to the over 160 student musicians from seven different jazz bands from five different schools that participated in the 2020 Jazz Cafe tonight at South High School in Downers Grove.  The varied repertoire during the course of the evening as demonstrated through 26 different compositions provided the audience with a stunning breadth and depth in jazz performance.

Special kudos to the students and directors from our sender schools for participating this evening:  Daniel Tedeschi and the Eisenhower Junior High School Jazz Band, Keith Carlson and the "Friends of Jazz" from Jefferson Junior High School, Brian Ohlsen and the Lakeview Junior High School Jazz band, and Christine Kaminski and the O'Neill Middle School Jazz Band.  With so many students performing at such a high level, the sonic future burns brightly for Downers Grove and the surrounding communities.  

If you were unable to join us in the cafetorium this evening, please check out the archived broadcast on the South Fine Arts YouTube Channel.


Tuesday, January 07, 2020

2020 Junior High Choir Festival






The music suite, stage and risers were overflowing with singers tonight in the auditorium at South High School this evening.

Students the South High School Choirs as well as student vocalists from Eisenhower, Lakeview, Jefferson and O'Neill gathered after school and this evening for the 2020 Junior High Choir Fest.  Donning new DGS Choir t-shirts, students participated in sectionals, had a pizza dinner, and presented a short performance.  The night concluded with the massed choirs performing two numbers together.  Special thanks to the students and directors from our articulated sender schools for taking the time to provide this experience for these singers, specifically:  Jennifer Rickert Lakeview, Janet Hecht from O'Neill, Alex Buda from Jefferson, and Ryan Clarin from Eisenhower.

Based on what we heard and saw tonight, the sonic future continues to be bright for our Mustang Choirs here at South High School.

Thursday, January 02, 2020

Marching Mustangs go Bowling



DGS Fine Arts celebrates all the former Marching Mustangs participating in college marching bands with a special shout out to Kirk Hoffman, University of Wisconsin and Jake Burrows and Samantha Guagliardo, University of Illinois, for their recent Bowl Game appearances.  The Marching Illini appeared at the Redbox Bowl in Santa Clara, California and the Wisconsin Marching Band appeared in the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, California.  We love seeing your passion for the marching arts experienced on a national stage!