Thursday, December 14, 2006

AMAZING IMEA STATISTICS

Here are some IMEA quick facts relating to District 99:

IMEA District 1 has 92 total participating schools

180 Wind and Percussion students selected - 18 from District 99 = 10%

300 Choir students selected - 36 from District 99 = 12%

110 String students selected - 25 from District 99 = 23%

90 Jazz students selected - 31 from District 99 = 23%

IMEA All-State Festival - 9 Districts, 565 High Schools

288 Wind and Percussion students in two Bands - 8 from District 99 = 2.8%

572 Choir students in two Choirs - 10 from District 99 = 1.75%

220 Orchestra students in two Orchestras - 9 from District 99 = 4%

50 Jazz students in two Jazz Bands and 1 Combo - 3 from District 99 = 6%

33 Compositions students selected as winners - 4 from District 99 - 13%

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

DGS PLACES 18 IMEA ALL-STATE MUSICIANS

Eighteen student musicians from Downers Grove South High School were selected, by competitive audition, to the 2006-2007 Illinois Music Educator’s Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Secondary General Music Composition Contest. Performance auditions were held last October at Carl Sandburg High School, musical compositions were evaluated by professional musicians and composers from across the Midwest.

“This is a tremendous honor for these students,” said Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairperson at South High. “All-State selection represents the pinnacle of musical achievement for a high school student musician. We are very proud of our students, and look forward to hearing their performances in January.”

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, on January 25-27, 2007. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 26, and the afternoon of January 27, 2007.

All-State Band
Lauren Barounis – Junior - Flute
Mark Medek – Junior - Trumpet
Julie Sharp - Junior – Trumpet
Melissa Saternus – Senior – Flute
Kevin Larson – Junior - Bassoon

All-State Honors Choir
Alexandra Petrakos – Senior - Alto II
Brianna Zielinski – Senior - Soprano II
Cory Parkinson – Junior - Bass II

All-State Choir
Kate Petit - Junior – Soprano II
Jeff Danzinger – Senior - Tenor II
John Irish – Senior - Bass II
Jonathan Wiese – Senior - Bass II
Tom Brese – Senior – Bass II

All-State Orchestra
Chris Mihelich – Senior - Viola
Mike Salazar – Senior – Cello
Rahul Kamath – Sophmore – Viola
Tim Strenning – Senior - Percussion

All-State Jazz Band
Justin Kono - Senior – Vibes

Secondary General Music State Composition Contest
Cory Parkinson – Junior – First Place for the piece title Rondo In E Minor, Keyboard Solo Category
Justin Kono – Senior – Third Place for the piece He'll Cure What Aiils Ya, Arranging Category

Friday, December 08, 2006

HOLIDAY CONCERT & WINTER ART SHOW 2006

The 2006 Holiday Concert and Winter Art Show will be held on Thursday, December 14, 2006. The Art Show, which is in the Events Foyers, begins at 6:00 PM and closes after the concert. The concert, which is in the Gymnasium, begins at 7:00 PM. The Winter Art Show remains up all weekend, closing on Monday, December 18, 2006.

In addition to the nearly 1,000 student artists who will be featured in sight and sound during this event, guest artist Sam Stryke will be performing a selection from his new CD titled Christmas. Downers Grove native and South High alum Craig Roselieb has arranged the Soulful Messiah to be performed this year in addition to the traditional Hallelujah from Handel's Messiah. "Given the size and scope of this event, it is a virtual guarantee that at least one work of art will connect with every audience participant." says Fine Arts Department Chairperson Glenn Williams. Both events are free and the public is cordially invited to attend.,

Thursday, December 07, 2006

COMPOSER SAM STRYKE VISITS DGS!!!!!



Chicago composer Sam Stryke spent the day working with South High School students on Tueday, December 5, 2006. Mr. Stryke has numerous commerical clients in Chicago, including Nintendo and Anheiser-Busch. Additionally, Mr. Stryke is currently composing themes for several of Oprah Winfrey's televison and radio shows. Mr. Stryke will be performing on the South High Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 15, 2006 at 7:00 PM in the South High Gymnasium. Mr. Stryke will be performing HARK THE HERALD ANGELS SING from his latest CD release titled CHRISTMAS, and will be performing with the combined choirs and orchestra during the Soulful Hallelujah. Mr. Stryke also spent time discussing his career path as a composer with students, explaining how he broke into the Chicago commerical jingle scene and how he writes music both for jingles and for his latest CD. "We are thrilled to have this experience for our music students" said Fine Arts Chairperson Glenn Williams. "Mr. Styke will add much to our Holiday Concert, and I'm excited for people in our community to have a chance to hear his music".