Homecoming Spirit 2009

Teachers dress like students. Students dress like teachers. Pictures say alot.........

Mustang Runway - Homecoming Show 2009

Students are preparing for the 2009 Homecoming Show MUSTANG RUNWAY. The show runs for two nights, Wednesday, September 30 and Thursday, October 1, 2009. Both shows begin at 7:00 PM in the DGS Auditorium. Tickets are $5 and are available at the door.

Enjoy the photos above of the opening act, Jazz Lab Band, as they perform Walking on Sunshine vocalist Erin Walsh.

Marching Mustangs Minnesota Update

These three photos are from the performance at the Humphrey Metrodome this past weekend. To read more about the success of this season, follow the link to the TRIBLOCAL provided below:

DGS Marching Mustangs On a Winning StreakCongratulations to the Marching Mustangs on three successful band competitions! On Saturday, September 19th at the Morton Invitational in Morton, IL the band was awarded...MORE

Music of the Knight - Irondale High School

To complete the double header this past Saturday, your Marching Mustangs competed at the 17th annual Music of the Knight competition at Irondale High School in New Brighton, Minnesota. Competing in Class AAA, the Marching Mustangs finished in second place with a score of 76.10. The video with this post is the end of the closer from the afternoon performance in the Metrodome. Great work this season Marching Mustangs - keep it up!

Youth in Music Preview - Saturday, September 25, 2009

Our Marching Mustangs performed in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome at the inaugural Youth in Music Preview Competition. The Marching Mustangs earned a Division I rating from the adjudication panel, the highest possible rating at this event. The video excerpt is from the second movement of Dimensions. The indoor performance environment emphasized the sonic and visual strengths of this wonderful ensemble.

The Typewriter - October 2007

This Leroy Anderson novelty piece, performed by DGN and DGS department assistants and the D99 Orchestra in the fall of 2007, currently has more than 26,000 YOUTUBE hits.

Our tribute to our department assistants, both past and present. Enjoy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hbD_R3Ve2M

SPARKS in Concert Band

To conclude the day, Mr. Balmages worked on his composition SPARKS with Concert Band. The band sounded fabulous and engaged Mr. Balmages with some stunning questions (If you could meet any two composers, dead or alive, who would it be and why?) His answer: John Williams and Maurice Ravel.

Wind Ensemble in FLIGHT

Wind Ensemble is studying and performing Mr. Balmage's challenging composition entitled Flight. The rehearsal atmosphere was like that of a professional ensemble, both in terms of sound produced and student decorum. Significant sonic progress was achieved.

Wind Symphony - Loudon Praises

Wind Symphony improved greatly on their understanding of Loudon Praises in their short time with Mr. Balmages. Musical intricacies were emerging consistently as the time together was shared.

Mr. Balmages Visits Symphonic Band

During the school day today, Mr. Balmages will work with each ensemble. Every group is studying and performing a work created by Mr. Balmages:

Symphonic Band - Waves

Concert Band - Sparks

Wind Symphony - Loudon Praises

Wind Ensemble - Flight

Symphony Orhestra - Phantom Tango

During each period, Mr. Balmages will offer musical guidance and insight into his music, performing his music, and into the compositional process.

Composer Brian Balmages - DIMENSIONS

Composer Brian Balmages listened to and worked with the Marching Mustangs at rehearsal on Tuesday evening, September 22. The 2009 competition show, Dimensions, features the music of Mr. Balmages.

For more information about Mr. Balmages, visit his web site at:

http://www.brianbalmages.com/index1.htm

Drum Major Gift Exchange 2009

Continuing a tradition, the drum majors from North and South convened after their half-time performances and exchanged season t-shirts. This exchange of spirit and good will is a long-standing tradition among student leadership in collegiate marching bands. Our thanks and congratulations go out to these student leaders for all that they do to improve the culture of their bands, of their schools, and of District 99.

2009 Competition Show - DIMENSIONS

The Marching Mustangs 2009 Competition Show, Dimensions, continues to improve with every public performance. Keep up the great work today at the Morton Invitational!!!!

Trojan Marching Band - THE BEATLES!!!!

We salute our Cross Town colleagues, the Trojan Marching Band, for their excellent half-time tribute to the Beatles!

Marching Mustangs in the Stands

The 2009 Marching Mustangs were not only amazing before and after the game last night, but also during the game. The group demonstrated positive, excellent school spirit to the highest possible degree last night. Great work by student drum majors, and, by student spirit leaders!!!!!!!

2009 Cross Town Classic Pre-Game

The 2009 Cross Town classic featured musical collaboration that is embedded into the fabric of District 99. After the Marching Mustangs performed their traditional pre-game ritual, the combined musical forces of the Marching Mustangs, the Trojan Marching Band, The DGS Madrigal Singers and the DGN Chamber Singers performed the national anthem. Special thanks to Mr. Roselieb for arranging the 4-part choral music and for providing a sonic upgrade to the public address system in the stadium.

Marching Mustangs in Finals of Lancer Joust!

Performing their show Dimensions featuring the music of composer Brian Balmages, the Marching Mustangs earned a spot in the finals of the highly competitive Lake Park Lancer Joust this past Saturday, September 12, 2009. This is the first time the band has earned a performance spot in the finals since 1992.

The band was tied for 7th place out of 24 groups after the preliminaries during the daytime. During the evening, the band rose a spot to 6th place out of 10 bands that performed in the finals. "I'm simply exstatic." said junior trumpeter Josh Baade.

A link to a Daily Herald story on the event is provided below. WAY TO GO MARCHING MUSTANGS!!

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=321005&src=27

Weather shines on annual Joust band competition
By Matt Arado Daily Herald Staff
Contact writer

Marching Mustangs Parent Performance

In preparation for the upcoming Lake Park HS Lancer Joust, the 2009 Marching Mustangs performed their competition field show Dimensions for parents and friends of the band in the DGS stadium this evening. Performed twice, once at 8:00 PM and once at 8:30 PM, this event provided student musicians an opportunity to perform in uniform in the stadium to prepare for Saturday's show. "Early results are provided rave reviews, both visually and sonically." said department chairperson Glenn Williams. The Marching Mustangs perform in competition at Lake Park HS at 2:15 PM on Saturday, September 12, 2009. For more information about the Marching Mustangs, contact department chairperson Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org

American Chamber Trio

On Friday, September 4 at 2:30 PM in the DGS Auditorium, District 99 string student musicians were treated to a world-class performance right in their own backyard. Organized by D99 Orchestra Director Jennifer Mullen, the renowned American Chamber Trio performed works by Dvorak, Beethove and Schubert. "This is a fabulous sonic start to a school year." said department chairperson Glenn Williams. "The musical inspiration provided in this event should propel our string students to even greater levels of excellence." For more information about this event our about the District 99 Orchestra, contact Glenn Williams, department chairperson, at gwilliams@csd99.org