Chamber Music 2009 - The Art of Music

Monday, May 11, 2009 was our Chamber Music Recital. Student ensembles and soloists performed some amazing repertoire for the 90-minute program. Ensembles ranged from flute choir to percussion ensemble, from trombone quartet to steel drum band, from trumpet ensemble to bassoon solo.

Congratulations to the student performers in this event - nicely done! Special thanks also to Mike Hutton for the images captured from the recital.

Carrot Clarinet

Freshmen Ben Coulliard shows his homemade carrot clarinet. Ben improvised beautifully on this brand new instrument this morning.

Choir Show Rehearsal - Get Ready!!!!

Nearly 300 student musicians are rehearsing in our auditorium for the 2009 Choir Show. The show features World Music - music from cultures and countries all around the world. Don’t miss the choir show on Thursday, May 14th or Friday May 15th at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. The public is invited to attend the free performances. Be certain to arrive early, as a full house is expected on both evenings.

2009 Spring Art Show Opening

Our 2009 Spring Art Show opened tonight, May 12th, at 6:00 PM. The show will run from now until in the morning on Monday, May 18, 2009. Over 700 pieces of 2D and 3D work is on display in the events foyer. A special highlight is the work of the Senior Class on display in the Black Box. Admission is free.

While walking the gallery tonight, I was struck by the faces in the work. The accompanying photos are designed as a "teaser" to draw patrons into the show.

2009 DGS Choir Show - Thinking Globally, Acting Locally

♫ World Music Show ♫ Feed my Starving Children Philanthropy


To prepare for an upcoming Choir Show which is themed around music of the world, members of the DGS Choirs took action locally to make a positive difference in the lives of those around them. DGS choir students helped at the “Feed My Starving Children” warehouse in Aurora on Saturday, May 2nd. Their service included packaging 3,888 meals that will be sent all over the world to children that are hungry. Thanks to these students who were willing to give if their time during their weekend to help others!


In addition to studying and performing music from multiple cultures, clinicians have come to DGS and presented workshops on Greek dance, Israeli singing, Indian Fusion dance and Filipino dance. Staff accompanist Belford Hernandez has helped every choir with his intense knowledge of Latin music.

Don’t miss the choir show on Thursday, May 14th or Friday May 15th at 7:00 PM in the DGS AUditorium. The public is invited to attend the free performance. Be certain to arrive early, as a full house is expected on both evenings.
If you have questions about DGS Choirs or Fine Arts, contact Glenn Williams, Department Chairperson at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Hinsdale Center for the Arts Award of Excellence

On April 22, 2009 the Hinsdale Center for the Arts introduced 12 Award of Excellence Winners. DGS Junior Lindsay Widdel, pictured above with teacher Janine Johnson, was one of 12 award winners selected. Lindsay earned a $1,000 scholarship to the School of the Arts Institute Summer Program. "We are extremely proud of Lindsay and her continued success in both art and music." said Department Chairperson Glenn Williams.

The winning student work will be on display at the Harris Hinsdale Banke at 50 South Lincoln Street from May 18.23, 2009.

2009 DGS Fine Arts Award Winners

Please join us in congratulating all the Fine Arts Award Winners from the DGS Awards Night on Tuesday, April 28, 2009. We are proud of these students for pursuing their passion for excellence in the arts!


Downers Grove Concert Association “Patron of the Arts” Award
2009 Recipients – Chan Choi, Emily Levine

Downer Grove Music Club Summer Camp Scholarships
2009 Recipients
Matt Kowalski, Michael Rau, Lauren Wood

Goldie Zechel Summer Study Scholarship
2009 Recipients
Art – Suse LaGory, Shania Kassanof
Music – Rahul Kamath

Downers Grove Women’s Club
Colleen DeRosa, Elliot Bild, Erin Marie Walsh

2009 Fine Arts Department Outstanding Seniors
Music – Zach Munoz
Art – Andrea Piekarczyk

Darien Women’s Club
2009 Recipient – Meridith Mara

National School Choral Award
Natalie Zielinski, Sam Bottorff

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award
Zach Munoz

John Philip Sousa Award –
Jennifer Dust

National School Orchestra Award
Rahul Kamath

Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) Summer Study Grants
Kristen Benes, Claire Drews, Julianna Estall, Sunnie Farrar, Marissa Gallas, Michaela Grenier, Katie Hutton, Blair Janis, Kevin Kral, Malorie Masek, Billy Moroney, Jessica Ponce, Michael Rau, Callie Sorce, Lilly Space, Oliver Sydella, Toni White, Lindsay Widdel, Spencer Zidarich, Abby Zurliene

COD Portfolio Night 2009

Special kudos and congratulations to the DGS Visual Arts who are competition finalists in the 2009 College of DuPage Portfolio Night. These eight DGS student artists will be in attendance as the awards night on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 7:30 PM in SRC 2800 at COD.

Oliver Sydello, Ink - Illustration

Michael Hernandez, Woman with the Green Face - Illustration

Mariah Miller, I am the Spider - Illustration

Kaylin Boss, Keep Your Head Up High - Illustration

Julianna Estall, The Reincarnation of Venus - Illustration

Willam Premo, Mellow Yellow Lady - Illustration

Nisha Chauhan, Thought I Knew Which One to Wear - Illustration

Andrea Piekarczyk, All in A Day's Work - Illustration