DGS - 61 students in District IMEA

Special kudos and congratulations to the 61 students musicians from DGS Fine Arts that participated in the IMEA District Festivals, including this past November 21, 2009 at Lincoln-Way West High School. Well done Mustang musicians!

District 1 IMEA Festival - Orchestra

Concertmaster Michael Rau tuning up the Orchestra before their performance

The Orchestra stands after their performance and receives a standing ovation from the crowd

Emily Levine and Lisa Salazar smile after a long day of rehearsal and a successful concert

On November 21st, the District 1 IMEA Festival was held at Lincoln-Way West High School. District 99's Michael Rau served as the Concertmaster for the Orchestra and the following other District 99 Orchestra members also performed:

Violin: Chloe Burnham, Chan Choi, Daniel Field, Rudy Rendek
Viola: Lauren Kovanko, Emily Levine, Colette Mondragon, Lisa Salazar
Cello: Meghan Lyda, Nikki Mihelich, Erin Portman, Meghan Schmitt
Harp: Hannah Young
Clarinet: Marie Kirkegaard
Oboe: Kevin Gupana
Bassoon: Stephen Shatzer
French Horn: Carly Charles
Percussion: Emma Sassano, Issac Stevenson

IMEA Jazz Festival

Congrats to the 11 jazz musicians that participated in the District 1 IMEA Jazz Festival at Lyons Township High School.

DGS Bands Concert Week

On Tuesday, November 10, 2009, our Wind Ensemble hosted the outstanding bands from Eisenhower Junior High School and Lakeview Junior High School. Held at Downers Grove North High School, both junior high school ensembles played with poise and precision. The Wind Ensemble played the first movement of Hindemith's Symphony in Bb. On Thursday, November 12, 2009, the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony performed at Wentz Concert Hall on the campus of North Central College. These outstanding groups sounded wonderful in this world-class performance venue. Well done, Mustang Band musicians!!!

Fall Choir Concert - Take #2!!

Congratulations to the 280 student musicians in the DGS choirs who performed their fall concert on Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium. Rescheduled due to a lightning strike, these students performed a wide variety of repertoire with professional musicianship and decorum. Thanks also to the staff, administration and tech theatre personnel whose flexibility led to making the re-scheduling of this event feasible.

2009 ISU State Finals - Marching Mustangs

A short video excerpt of the 2009 Marching Mustangs competing at the 2009 State of Illinois Marching Band Championships at Illinois State University on Saturday, October 24, 2009.

Marching Mustangs - Illinois State Finals

Your 2009 Marching Mustangs capped off a historical competition season with a performance of excellence at the State of Illinois Marching Band Finals hosted at Illinois State University. The band earned a score of 74.55, just .05 points away from being 10th place out of the 72 bands that competed over the course of the day. This is DGS highest state finals placing since 1977, and represents more than a 7.0 score improvement from our score earned last year at ISU. Way to go Marching Mustangs - another great show to end your season of signifigance!

Choir Concert - LIGHTS OUT!!!

On Thursday, October 22, 2009, the DGS Choirs started their fall concert. The opening National Anthem and the first two numbers of the Freshmen Girls Choir were truly stunning.

Then, lightning struck.

Outside of our building, lightning struck a transformer, which caused an area-wide power outage. The girls finished the selection they were singing when the lights went out, and, the audience stayed engaged listening. It truly was a remarkable moment. The photos above show how audience members powered up their cell phones (they were, of course, all powered down previously) to provide some illumination in the auditorium.

This concert will be performed, in its' entirety, on MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2009 at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. Thanks to students, parents, and staff for their flexibility to make this event happen.