Fabulous Fall Band Concert 2014

Concert patrons were enthralled with the 2014 Fall Band Concert this evening.  Special shout out to the O'Neill Middle School Band directed by Dave Balika, and, to members of the Gaudete Brass Quintet for their solo performances this evening.  

Be sure to attend tomorrow evening to hear Jefferson Junior High School and the DGS Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble.

If you weren't able to attend the concert tonight, catch the re-broadcast on the High School Cube by clicking here.

GBQ Residency continues with composer James Stephenson

The residency with the Gaudete Brass Quintet continued today at South High School.  In addition to several members of the quintet rehearsing as soloists with different bands, the entire GBQ rehearsed with the DGS Wind Ensemble preparing James Stephenson's piece Dodefecta.  Mr. Stephenson lives in Evanston and came to the rehearsal today to give the students and the quintet feedback from the authoritative perspective of a composer on the performance of the piece.

Hear the GBQ perform Dodefecta with the DGS Wind Ensemble on Wednesday, November 19, 2014 at 7 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Hear members of the GBQ play with South High School Bands and the O'Neill Middle School band on Tuesday, November 18, 2014 at 7 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Both concerts are free and the public is cordially invited.

DGS Bands Concerts and GBQ Residency - THIS WEEK!!!

The four bands at South High School in Downers Grove will partner in the coming days with O'Neill Middle School, Jefferson Junior High School, and the Gaudete Brass Quintet to present two varied concerts featuring students from young to old performing repertoire that showcases the Gaudete Brass Quintet as individuals and as an ensemble.

On Tuesday, November 18, 2014, the South HS Concert Band and Wind Symphony will perform with the band from O'Neill Middle School.  Featured members of the GBQ will be Julia Filson on horn playing with O'Neill Middle School, tubist Scott Tegge playing "The Carnival of Venice" with the DGS Concert Band, and Ryan Berndt and Paul Von Hoff playing Joseph Turrin's Fandango with the DGS Wind Symphony.

On Wednesday, November 19, 2014, Bill Baxtresser will play Trumpeter's Lullaby with Jefferson Junior High School, Paul Von Hoff will play Harlem Nocturne with the DGS Symphonic Band, and the entire Gaudete Brass Quintet will perform the second and third movements of James Stephenson's Dodefecta with the South High School Wind Ensemble.

Both concerts are free and the public is cordially invited to attend both performances.

2014 ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival

Great process and final product today at the ILMEA District 1 Jazz Festival.  Special shout out to the participating Mustang musicians for their dedication to sonic excellence through jazz performance!

Cold night outside, hot night in the auditorium!

Congratulations to the student musicians from South High School in the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Chamber Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and the Jazz Ensemble.  All three bands came out swinging tonight, featuring a myriad of soloists and 4 vocalists.  Great job Mustang Jazz musicians - you brought a sonically bright spot to an otherwise dreary November day!

2014 Fall Jazz Concert

Mustang jazz musicians are busy preparing to present the 2014 Fall Jazz Concert on Thursday, November 13, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Three band bands and one jazz chamber ensemble will provide a varied program of repertoire, including Benny Carter, Stevie Wonder, Neal Hefti, Sonny Rollins, Miles Davis and much, much more.  Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend this performance.

If you are unable to join us live in the auditorium at South High School, you can follow remotely on the High School Cube.  Access the broadcast stream by clicking here.

DGS Treble Choir visits North Central College and Wentz Hall

The Treble Choir from South High School in Downers Grove spent the day at North Central College on Wednesday, November 5, 2014 participating in the NCC College of Music Honors Choir Invitational.  

Along with three other area high school choirs and several choirs from North Central College, the Treble Choir performed on the evening concert in the acoustically stunning Wentz Hall.  The evening culminated with a combined choral rendition of Gilbert and Sullivan's Finale from "The Gondoliers."

During the day, the students rehearsed with clinicians from NCC, received a tour of the campus, watched college choir rehearsals, and got a general snap-shot of what life could be like as a college student.  "The musical and extra-musical benefits of an experience like this are significant for these student musicians." said Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  "We are proud of the dedication these students have towards excellence in performance."

For more information about choirs at South High School, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Illinois State University Jazz Band visits South High School

Today the top Jazz Ensemble from Illinois State University performs for the band classes at South High School.  Directed by Dr. Tom Marko, this ensemble is on a fall tour of suburban high schools.  It is great to see three D99 graduates performing with the ensemble, Shauna Bracken (DGN) and Joe Perillo and Danny Tesdeshi from DGS.  Special thanks to Dr. Marko and Illinois State University for making this tour possible!