DGS FOFA Poinsettia Fundraiser Reminder!

 

Poinsettia Fundraiser FINAL Reminder

Hello from the DGS Friends of Fine Arts!  We hope you will continue to support our Fine Arts Community by contributing to the annual poinsettia fundraiser. You can place your orders by following these simple steps:

1. Use this LINK to access the Friends of Fine Arts Webstore link.  You can also access it through the District 99 Webstore home page. Simply click on the DGS Band Boosters from there.

2. Complete the form, double checking to make sure that all information is accurate.  

3. Disregard the membership information (unless you are contributing in addition to purchasing a poinsettia), and simply list the amount that you are paying in the comment space provided. Each poinsettia is $18 advanced purchase ($25 on the night of the concert)

4. List student name (if applicable) as well as the items you are purchasing (ex. 1 Poinsettia)

5. Click 'Add to Cart'

6. Follow the site as it leads you through the  payment information. 

7. Done!

All purchased poinsettias will adorn the Performing Arts Center, Learning Commons, and STEAM on December 8th and be made available for pickup at the conclusion of the festivities. Questions about the poinsettia fundraiser should be directed to FOFA President, Mrs. Ann Andreshak at aandartistry2melody@gmail.com  Please contact me if you have questions about the event as well. 

Once again, thank you for supporting the Fine Arts here at Downers Grove South High School. We look forward to seeing you all on December 8th!  

South High Vocal and Instrumental Students Recognized at the 2022 ILMEA District Festival!

 

Congratulations to the all of our amazing DGS vocal and instrumental student-musicians that were selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association District Festival. Students from across the Chicago region were selected by competitive audition to participate in day-long educational workshops with highly respected guest conductors, and present a culminating concert for family, friends, and educators.

Special congratulations to these students and a shout out to our wonderful faculty - Mrs. Belt-Roselieb, Mr. Hernandez, Mr. Kennedy, Dr. Pedroza, Ms. Hicks, Mr. Lowrey, and Ms. Zall as well as our entire community for supporting the endeavors of our amazing students. 

Thank you to the faculty, staff and Music Education majors at Elmhurst University for welcoming our students to campus as the festival host site.  Here are snapshots of some of the great moments that our students experienced throughout the day!

DGS Students Named All-STATE Musicians!!!!

 

10 Student Musicians from South High School have been selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2022-2023 Illinois music Education Association Al-State Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs. Students summitted video auditions which were evaluated by a panel of adjudicators. The top placing scores participated in the District Music Festival, held on November 19, 2022. The top placing scores from District Festivals around Illinois earned a nod as All-State musicians. Congratulations to:

CHORUS
Sebastian Blanco(10) - Bass II
Gianna Caponigro(11) - Soprano I
Scott Conley(11) - Bass II
Maija Flannery(11) - Soprano I

Kyle Kuper(10) - Bass I
Jack Melie(9) - Bass I
Abby Parson(11) - Alto I
Delaney Turner(12) - Alto I

BAND
Evangeline Selking(9) - Flute

ORCHESTRA
Erika Andreshak(10) - Viola
Luidas Davies(12) - Violin II

"To not only complete such a rigorous audition process, but to also be placed among the top musicians in the entire state of Illinois is a testament to the work, dedication, and sacrifice that these students have made," said Fine Arts Department Chair Jerry Lowrey." Everyone here in the South High School Community is proud to have these wonderful students represent us at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in Peoria Illinois in January of 2023. Thank you all for your inspiration!" 

Congrats to Gretchen, Becca, Anthony, and Evangeline!

These four musicians got the opportunity to play in the ILMEA Senior Band on Saturday! 

Students audition by preparing challenging literature and submitting videos in October. The best musicians in the state get invited to play in their district bands. From there, students are chosen for ILMEA All-State, which performs in January at the Illinois Music Education Conference at the Peoria Civic Center. We are still waiting back to hear those results. 

Gretchen Hasselhorst (viewers left) on french horn, Becca Snouffer on clarinet, Anthony Lopez on trumpet, and Evangeline Selking on flute. Special shout-out to Evangeline, not only was she first chair but she also had multiple solos and knocked them out of the park! 

DGS is so proud of these students and can't wait to see who makes it into ILMEA band next year. 

(Their new album cover.)

DGS drum major and flutist Briyana Zeigler sang in the ILMEA choir!

Dr. Roxanne Stevenson, Director of Bands at Chicago State University was the guest conductor for the day. We hope to have her come to DGS to clinic in the near future! 

Concert time! 

Becca and Anthony are all smiles with department chair Mr. Jerry Lowrey!

 

DGS Friends of Fine Arts Partners with GIA MIA For Fundraiser on November 17th!

 

Friends of Fine Arts is excited to announce an upcoming restaurant sponsorship with Gia Mia in downtown Downers Grove.  They have amazing food and we are grateful to partner with them in our first fundraising restaurant sponsor event! 

Save the date:  Thursday November 17th and show your support for Friends of Fine Arts

ALL DAY you can order food for carry out or dine in at the Downers Grove Gia Mia location.

  

Please show our flyer created especially for Friends of Fine Arts when you dine-in, carry out or pick up curbside or mention our special code DGS1117 when you check out!  

There is No tastier way to offer your support!

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1tj9pTjfHF-5dtVHOE6jbliq_fPGfqw2e/view?usp=share_link

Your participation will earn Friends of Fine Arts 20% of the sales from those patrons participating all day on Thursday, November 17th.  The proceeds help supplement the amazing opportunities provided to the students and provide scholarships to aid and accomplish their artistic goals in the visual and performing arts departments at Downers Grove South High School.  

Alone we can do so little but together we can do so much!

Please reach out if you have any questions: aandartistry2melody@gmail.com or 630-272-2195

Thank you for your participation

Ann Andreshak

President, DGS FOFA

DGS Jazz Concert November 15th!!

 DGS Jazz Concert Tuesday November 15th 7:00pm!!

Come show your support for the DGS Fine Arts Community and Family by joining us for a night of swing, dance, and positive energy.  These kids have been working so hard to put something special together for all of you, so come out and enjoy the show. Tomorrow night's concert will feature our DGS Jazz Workshop, Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble. We'll be filling the Performing Arts Center with works from Duke Ellington, Herbie Hancock, Count Basie, Sonny Rollins, and more.  

We always prefer to have a large audience to contribute to a festive atmosphere, but if you cannot attend in person, check our livestream out on the DGS Fine Arts Youtube channel.  Thank you all and see you tomorrow night!!!

DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational TONIGHT!

 

DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational Tonight! 

Come enjoy an evening of beautiful music tonight as we celebrate the Downers Grove area school community.  Tonight's performance will feature fine performances from the DGS Wind Ensemble as well as Eisenhower Jr. High School. A special message and presentation from the Lakeview District 66 students and director, Tom Tedeschi will capstone the evening. We look forward to seeing you!

If you cannot attend in person, you can watch the livestream by following the DGS FineArts page on Youtube!