Adjudication for the 2009 Elmhurst Art Museum was recently completed, and two student artists from Downers Grove South High School have been accepted to have their work displayed during the 2009 Portfolio Exhibition.

Special congratulations are extended to seniors Shaina Kasanoff and Bill Premo. The show opening is Saturday, April 4, 2009 at 1:00 PM at the Elmhurst Art Museum.

"Only 21 student portfolios were accepted for display in this prestigous show." said Fine Arts Department Chairperson Glenn Williams. "The breadth and depth of Shaina's and Bill's work is remarkable and worthy of participation in this exhibition."

For more information about this exhibition, or about visual art at Downers Grove South High School, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org

The student musicians from the Fine Arts Department at Downers Grove South High School competed in the Illinois High School Association’s State Solo and Ensemble Contest held on March 7, 2009 at Bolingbrook High School. Downers Grove South received 114 sweepstakes points out of a possible 300 points receiving 13 Division I ratings, 14 Division II ratings, 3 Division III ratings, 1 Division IV rating and 1 Division V rating.

The following students received a Division I rating:

Nikki Mihelich – cello solo
Jennifer Dust & Tom Reusz – clarinet ensemble
Zach Muñoz – flute solo
Amanda Ruzek – flute solo
Carly Charles – French horn solo
Michaela Grenier – harp solo
Suzanne Segredo – oboe solo
Emily Levine, Nikki Mihelich, Chan Choi, Michael Rau – string ensemble
Rahul Kamath – viola solo
Emily Levine – viola solo
Chan Choi – violin solo
Michael Rau – violin solo
Danny Jama – marimba solo

The following students received a Division II rating:

Emily Gai – B-flat clarinet solo
Bill Moroney - B-flat clarinet solo
Zach Plata - B-flat clarinet solo
Tom Reusz - B-flat clarinet solo
Tim Chow – bass clarinet solo
Megan Schreck – flute solo
Caitlyn Foley – French horn solo
Andrada Pteanc, Jackie Estrada – string ensemble
Sophia Robinson, Grace Wegrzyniak, Katie Rusch – string ensemble
Kari Prada – viola solo
Aaron Collins – violin solo
Sophia Robinson – violin solo
Katie Rusch – violin solo
Grace Wegrzyniak – violin solo

“Chamber music performance is essential to the growth of every student musician.” said Fine Arts Department Chairperson Glenn Williams. “We are proud of every student musicians for their pursuit of sonic excellence.”For more information about music at DGS, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org

District 99 Honors Vocal Festival

Tuesday, March 10, 2009 was the District 99 Honors Vocal Festival. Student soloists from both North and South, along with several select ensembles from both campuses, perform at this concert, which was held at Gloria Dei Lutheran Church. Students from both North and South perform at their separate Vocal Festivals, and then are selected through competitive audition to perform on this recital. "It is truly a musical honor to perform on this concert." said Department Chairperson Glenn Williams. "Like so many other things in music and art in District 99, this event embodies the great things that can happen for students when our two campuses collaborate." For more information about this event, or about DGS choirs, contact Glenn Williams, Department Chairperson at gwilliams@csd99.org

DGS Choirs - 8:00 PM Concert

Our second choral concert this evening began with the combined Holst piece from that concluded the first performance. Other fabulous encore performances were given by the Overtones, Chamber Singers, and Madrigal Singers.

The depth and breadth of the student performers in our choirs was readily apparent in the repertoire performed tonight. Our Treble Ensemble performed beautifully on James Mulholland's challenging Life Has Loveliness to Sell, and then switched gears with a sultry and soulful Cry Me a River. Utililzing a wide array of instrumental accompaniment and effective choreography, Concert Choir performed three selections that brought down the house because of the effective execution and the spirited performance. Finally, our Treble Choir displayed their musical range, singing beautifully on Rachmaninoff's Vocalise and Clausen's Psalm 100. Treble Choir followed up that stunning beauty with a rousing rendition of selections from A Chorus Line (the gold hats were amazing!) Great work tonight in both performances ladies and gentlemen - the sounds and the sights were remarkable!

DGS Choir 6:00 PM Concert - Part 2

The Overtones continue to impress audiences with their vocal prowess and unique sense of humor - tonight was no exception! Their performance of Sophomoric Philosophy was an audience favorite. The DGS Madrigal Singers performed Eric Whitacre's Sleep with an impressive vocal and musical maturity. The culminating piece, Gustav Holst's Homeland, was accompanied by 8 brass players from the Wind Ensemble. The balance was exquisite, and the nationalistic and musical intent of this masterwork was communicated and performed with great clarity. Great performance this evening ladies and gentlemen - one down, one to go!

DGS Choirs - 6:00 PM Concert - Part 1

Our DGS Choirs just completed the first of two performances this evening. The Freshmen Girls Chorus performed with eloquence and artistry beyond their chronological years, highlighted by a stunning rendition of Greensleeves. The Freshmen Boys chorus reminded us why facial hair is so essential to effective relationships. The Freshmen Girls Select Chorus performed with great clarity and musical intent, singing a musical version of the popular children's book Harold and the Purple Crayon. The Chamber Singers performed difficult repertoire extremely well, featuring several oustanding soloists. Well done tonight ladies and gentlemen - you did DGS proud!

On Saturday, February 21, 2009 the DGS Wind Symphony traveled to Metamora High School near Peoria, Illinois to participate in the Metamora Invitational Wind Band Festival. 12 high school bands from Illinois performed during the course of the day and were adjudicated by Bruce Moss, Bowling Green State University, and renowned band composer Robert Sheldon. Much musical growth occured, largely through comparitive analysis of other similar high school ensembles. Great job Wind Symphony!!

Potter's For Peace a "smashing" Success

On Friday, February 20th, 2009 at 7:45 AM a two-month long project to raise funds for and awareness of under-resourced cultures without clean drinking water came to a smashing conclusion.

Literally.

The 2009 Empty Bowl project concluded with the bowl being smashed, revealing the total donations for the campaign. In total, $1,151.22 was raised to be given away to Potter's For Peace, an international organization that teaches impoverished cultures how to make their own ceramic water-filtration devices. These funds came from a Silent Auction at the Winter Art Show, a Silent Auction during the Jazz Cafe', and donations from event attenders. Sponsored and led by ceramics staff members Molly O'Brien-Prusa and Kathy Myles, this inaugural event was an overwhelming success. "We far exceeded our first year financial goal." said Department Chairperson Glenn Williams. "Based on the success this year, we anticipate continuing this event and developing it as a part of our Fine Arts program."

For more information about Potters for Peace or DGS Ceramics, contact department chairperson Glenn Williams at 630.795.8681.