D99/Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule Exchange

Congratulations to the musicians of the Bietigheim-Bissingen Musikschule for their wonderful concert today in Downers Grove! Nearly 500 persons attended the afternoon concert of music at the historic Tivoli Theatre. After the concert host families and guests from Germany enjoyed a terrific meal with one another and continued the tradition of a Futbol (Soccer) friendly match. As we have come to expect, the German students prevailed in the match. But the American students (assisted by Mr. Miller's coaching strategy to periodically sneak additional players onto the pitch until the official noticed there were 15 players on the field) put up a valiant effort. Still, even with the advantage of numbers, the Americans could not find the net and fell to Germany 0 - 2.

Marching Mustangs Senior Night 2010

The Marching Mustangs were leaders in the stands and on the field tonight. In addition to celebrating the seniors prior to the game, the band performed BEYOND THE STORM at halftime, and, we a huge factor in the postive school spirit during the course of the game. Great job tonight Marching Mustangs!!!!!!!!!

Beyond the Storm - show Finale

The Marching Mustangs learned 56 sets of drill at Band Camp this year. The Color Guard learned the work to the ENTIRE SHOW. Great job by the students and staff this week, led by Mr. Roseleib, to have such an amazingly productive Band Camp. Here is a video sample of the final 45 seconds of the show. Although the drill is not learned, the sounds are impressive. Enjoy.

2010 Band Camp Finale Show Photo Highlights

Enjoy a few visual highlights from the 2010 Competition Show "Beyond the Storm," featuring the music of composer Andrew Boysen.

Saying goodbye to Beth Refsnider

DGS Fine Arts and the Mustang Bands family wish nothing but the absolute best to our departing Visual Coach Pat Refsnider, and our departing Guard Coach Beth Refsnider, shown here with director Craig Roselieb. Pat and Beth have contributed much to the recent success of the Marching Mustangs. Beth's hard work during the Winter Guard season was evidenced in an unprecedented guard performance at the conclusion of Band Camp. Great job Pat and Beth - we'll miss you!

Congrats 2010 Band Camp Staff

Something as complex as a marching band field production succeeds only when leadership empowers an amazing staff. Led by director Craig Roselieb, the 2010 Band Camp staff left a major imprint on the success of this show. Please join me in thanking and congratulating, from your left to your right: Will Broecker, DePaul University Student Teacher; Drill designer Bill Jindrich; Percussion coach Dwayne Rawl; Woodwind coach Sarah Fruhe; Percussion Coach Juan Garcia; Visual Coordinator Scott Oliver; incoming Guard Coach Jessica Dunkel; departing Guard Coach Beth Refsnider; Low Brass Coach Ben Bluder, and Brass Coach Ben Sorce. Well done DGS Marching Band Staff!!!

Band Camp 2010 - Beyond The Storm

Members of the 2010 Marching Mustangs are spending 13 hours a day preparing the sights and sounds of their 2010 Show "Beyond The Storm," featuring the music of composer Andrew Boysen. Led by director Craig Roselieb, this outstanding ensemble is learning the music and the affiliated movement and drill to their competition show for this season.

On Friday, August 20, 2010 at 7:30 PM this amazing ensemble will perform a short presentation of everything learned at Band Camp 2010. This performance and the 2010 Band Camp are being held at Lakeview Junior High School, located at 701 Plainfield Road in Downers Grove. The public is cordially invited to attend this free performance.

"We are thrilled that Lakeview is able to host us for Band Camp" said DG Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "This partnership benefits students from both schools in so many ways, and we a grateful for the hospitality extended to us by the Lakeview students, staff and community."

Marching Mustangs to Open the Salute to Armed Forces Festival

The DGS Marching Mustangs have been invited to perform at the "Salute the Armed Forces Festival" being held on August 13th, 14th and 15th at the Hawthorne Racecourse. The Marching Mustangs will be part of the Opening Ceremony on Friday, August 13th between 4:30-5:00 PM at Hawthorne Race Course.

"We are pleased and proud to serve the community at large, and, to honor the Armed Forces of the United States of America." said director Craig Roselieb.

For more information about this event, please go to the Mustang Band Boosters web site & blog at http://dgsmbb.blogspot.com/

Free German Music concert at the Tivoli Theatre

Sunday, August 29, 2010 at 1:30 pm, District 99 Fine Arts Departments of North and South High Schools will host students from the music school in Bietigheim-Bissingen, Germany in a concert at the Tivoli Theatre in Downers Grove. Among the three groups performing will be a Guitar Ensemble, a String Orchestra, and a Recorder Ensemble. Directed by Antje Krüger Spindler, the String Orchestra will perform the music of J.S. Bach, Carl Stamitz and Irving Berlin. The Recorder Ensemble is directed by Annette Bachmann and will perform several renaissance selections including music by Henry Purcell. The Guitar Ensemble is directed by Bernd Gehlen and will perform both classical and contemporary works including Mozart and several popular German composers.These visiting German students, ages 13-20 are part of a community music school that has been participating in music and cultural exchanges with the music students of Downers Grove North and South High Schools since 1985. Students from District 99 have traveled to Germany on six separate occasions and have also visited Austria, Spain, France, Italy, the Czech Republic and Switzerland. The community of Bietigheim-Bissingen is located in the district of Ludwigsburg, Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany, about 20 miles from Stuttgart. The concert which begins at 1:30 pm is free to the public thanks to the support of Classic Cinemas. The Tivoli Theatre is located at 5021 Highland Avenue in Downers Grove, IL 60515.

D99 Marching Band earns 2010 CJ Shoemaker Award

On Tuesday, August 3, 2010 Bill Miller (DGN) and Glenn Williams (DGS) attended the Downers Grove City Council meeting to accept a special award on behalf of the students and staff members from both campuses.

Members of the District 99 Marching Band earned the CJ Shoemaker Award from Downers Grove Major Ron Sandack for their performance in the 2010 Downers Grove Independence Day Parade on July 4, 2010. Students from North and South combine for this annually community performance. " "Challenging economic times can cause us to consider things of excellence." said DGS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "The District 99 Marching Band and overall music programs are indeed a community jewel, and we are pleased to accept this award on behalf of the students and staff involved in both music programs."

For more information about the District 99 Marching Band, or about music at DGS, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org