D99 Orchestra students at the Midwest Clinic

The 65th Midwest Clinic (formerly known as the 'Midwest-International Band & Orchestra Clinic') was held this week in Chicago last week. It is the largest annual gathering of music teachers, performers. and music industry personnel in the world. Attended by nearly 16,000 from all 50 states and 30 countries internationally, the concert features nearly 30 concerts and 90 clinic sessions.

Congratulations to DGN Orchestra student Hannah Young (Harp), DGS Orchestra student Andrew Molina (Cello) who performed at the convention with the Chicago Youth Symphony Orchestra. The South High Fine Arts Department salutes all of you for your outstanding musicianship!

More Midwest Clinic photos......

Jackson Square w/Denis DiBlasio

Jackson Square from QMaguire on Vimeo.

South HS Jazz Ensemble at the 65th Midwest Clinic

2012 DGS All-State Musicians

South High School Fine Arts congratulates the 18 2012 musicians chosen for All-State participation in band, choir, orchestra, jazz band and music composition.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 26-28, 2012. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 27, and the afternoon of January 28, 2012.

ALL-STATE BAND
Samantha Kotlicky – Trumpet (Senior)
William Moroney – Clarinet (Senior)
Zach Plata – Clarinet (Senior)

ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Andrew Molina – Cello (Sophomore)
Lisa Salazar – Viola (Senior)
Patrick Bartlett – Tuba (Senior)
Carly Charles – Horn (Senior)

ALL-STATE HONORS CHORUS
Alex Bahaveolos – Tenor I (Senior)
William Chengary – Bass I (Senior)
Lars Feste – Bass I (Senior)
Taylor Lane – Soprano I (Senior)
Dan Leahy – Tenor I (Junior)
Erin Christine Walsh – Soprano I (Senior)

ALL-STATE CHORUS
Kyle Crawford – Bass II (Senior)
Ken Deem – Tenor II (Senior)
Rosaley Gai – Alto II (Senior)

ALL-STATE JAZZ BAND
Michael Ruth – Alto Saxophone (Senior)
Josiah Williams – Trombone (Junior)

ALL-STATE MUSIC COMPOSITION
Zach Plata – (Senior) First Place, Instrumental Arranging Category Themes of John Mackey

South High School Jazz Ensemble at 65th Midwest Clinic

Congratulations to the DGS Jazz Ensemble and their director Craig Roselieb for being accepted to perform at the 65th annual MidWest Clinic. This ensemble will perform on Thursday, December 15, 2011 at 1:00 PM in room W-196. Held at McCormick West Place in Chicago, the MidWest Clinic is annually attended by nearly 16,000 professional educators from all 50 states and from more than 30 countries internationally. Each conference features nearly 30 concerts and 90 clinics by the finest performing ensembles and music educators from around the world.

"Acceptance to perform at this convention is the pinnacle of performance success for a high school ensemble." said DGS Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "This truly outstanding group continues a remarkable run of recent performance success."
For information about the DGS Jazz program or the MidWest Clinic, contact DGS Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

2011 Winter Art Show

Enjoy these images from the 2011 Winter Art Show at South High School in Downers Grove.

Seasons' Greetings

The staff of South High School Fine Arts department extends to everyone the warmest greetings of the season. As a team, we fully appreciate and embrace what every member of the learning community at South High School and in District 99 does to create a climate where a passion for the arts can be ignited for every learner.

Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove at the Jazz Showcase

Enjoy the Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove at the Jazz Showcase from Tuesday, December 6, 2011

2011 Winter Art Show & Holiday Concert

Rehearsals and preparations are underway for the 2011 Winter Art Show and Holiday Concert at South High School in Downers Grove. The visual art work of more than 500 student artists and the sonic collaboration of more than 700 student musicians will adorn the halls of South High School in the coming days. The Winter Art show opens at 6 PM in the Events Foyers on Thursday, December 8, 2011 and runs all weekend during regular business hours. The Holiday Concert begins at 7 PM on Thursday, December 8th in the Main Gymanasium. Both events are free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

2012 South High School All-State Musicians

18 student musicians from Downers Grove South High School were selected by competitive audition to the 2011-2012 Illinois Music Educators Association All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra, Jazz Band and Composer Showcase. Auditions were held last October at Carl Sandburg High School; musical compositions were evaluated by professional musicians and composers from across the country.
“This is a tremendous honor for these students,” said Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman 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.”

In addition to these individual student performers, the Jazz Ensemble from South High School has been selected to perform at the 2012 Illinois Music Education Conference. This excellent ensemble performs on Thursday, January 26, 2012 at 8:00 PM in the Peoria Convention Center.

The All-State Band, Choir, Orchestra and Jazz Band will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 26-28, 2012. Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the evening of January 27, and the afternoon of January 28, 2012.


ALL-STATE BAND
Samantha Kotlicky – Trumpet (Senior)
William Moroney – Clarinet (Senior)
Zach Plata – Clarinet (Senior)

ALL-STATE ORCHESTRA
Andrew Molina – Cello (Sophomore)
Lisa Salazar – Viola (Senior)
Patrick Bartlett – Tuba (Senior)
Carly Charles – Horn (Senior)

ALL-STATE HONORS CHORUS
Alex Bahaveolos – Tenor I (Senior)
William Chengary – Bass I (Senior)
Lars Feste – Bass I (Senior)
Taylor Lane – Soprano I (Senior)
Dan Leahy – Tenor I (Junior)
Erin Christine Walsh – Soprano I (Senior)

ALL-STATE CHORUS
Kyle Crawford – Bass II (Senior)
Ken Deem – Tenor II (Senior)
Rosaley Gai – Alto II (Senior)

ALL-STATE JAZZ BAND
Michael Ruth – Alto Saxophone (Senior)
Josiah Williams – Trombone (Junior)

ALL-STATE MUSIC COMPOSITION
Zach Plata – (Senior) First Place, Instrumental Arranging Category Themes of John Mackey

Muriel Anderson and Tierra Negra at South High School

Internationally acclaimed guitarist/musician Muriel Anderson http://www.murielanderson.com/
performed with German flamenco guitar duo Tierra Negra http://www.tierranegra.de/ for South High School guitar and digital music student musicians this afternoon. This recital/master class was breathtaking in terms of performance prowess and information exchanged. Thanks to Ms. Anderson for her continued support of student musicians in Downers Grove and at South High School.

Be certain to catch Ms. Anderson, Tierra Negra and bassist extraordinaire Victor Wooten this coming Saturday, November 26th, 2011 at 8:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School. Tickets will be available at the door, or by going to Ms. Anderson's web site.

The Other Guys perform at South High School

Student musicians at South High School were treated to performances today by the amazing acappella vocal ensemble The Other Guys from the University of Illinois. This ensemble is renowned for their musical artistry and their diverse performance repertoire. Featured with the ensemble today is John Junk, South High School class of 2011. John demonstrated clearly to Mustang singers today that musical performance can continue in a robust manner after departing the walls of DGS!!!

South HS hosts 2011 IMEA District 1 Festival

South High School in Downers Grove is proud to host the 2011 IMEA District 1 Festival. More than 700 students from over 100 high schools in the Chicagoland area are rehearsing with guest conductors and will present performances at 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM.

Special shout out to the students, parents and staff from the South High School learning community who have donated significant volunteer hours to make this festival possible today. Even more of a shout-out to the South High School student musicians participating in the Band, Orchestra, Choir and 9/10 Choir.

2011 South HS Wind Ensemble Invitational

Student musicians from Eisenhower Junior High School, Lakeview Junior High School, and South High School in Downers Grove collaborated in sound last night during the 2011 South HS Wind Ensemble Fall Invitational Concert. Each ensemble performed with the Gaudete Brass, a brass quinted completing a fall artist residency in Downers Grove. The sounds were amazing. Enjoy the "story" of the evening in words and pictures found below.

The South High School Wind Ensemble performs Dodefecta with the Gaudete Brass. Composer James Stephenson was present for the performance.

The South HS Wind Ensemble performs Sam Hazo's ...Go!

Band Source president Pete Biedron presents Tom Tedeschi with a plaque congratulating the Lakeview Band for a fabulous performance.

The Lakeview Junior HS Wind Ensemble performs.

Michelle Higgins, interim director at Eisenhower Junior High School, accepts a performance plaque from Ron Hornish.

The Eisenhower Junior High Symphonic Band performs.

Student composer and conductor Zach Plata opens the performance with the premiere of his composition titled Themes from John Mackey.

Dr. Cheryl Frazes-Hill & the CCPA Conservatory Chorus visit South HS

Grammy award winning conductor and music educator Dr. Cheryl Frazes-Hill visited South High School today with select members of the Roosevelt University/Chicago College of Performing Arts Conservatory Chorus. Dr. Frazes-Hill worked with the DGS Madrigal Singers, emphasizing linear musical phrasing and blend between voices. The clinic with Dr. Frazes-Hill was followed by a performance of Rossini's Petite Messe Solenelle by members of the CCPA Conservatory Chorus. This graduate level chorus is comprised of students studying to be professional opera singers. The beauty of the sounds that filled the DGS choir room was palpalable. Special thanks to Roosevelt University for providing this opportunity for the student musicians at South High School this afternoon.

NBC 5 "Prep destination of the week" and the Marching Mustangs

South High School was selected as the NBC 5 "Prep Destination of the Week" to promote spirit for the second round football play-off game versus Brother Rice tonight. As always, the Marching Mustangs contributed to school spirit with fabulous sounds and energy. The "Rise 'n' Shine" pep assembly provided a spirit start to this football play-off Friday.

More Music Suite photos..........

More images from senior orchestra member Kaitlyn Lapen's Girl Scout Gold Award project in the hallway of the music suite at South High School.

South High school senior Kaitlyn Lapen and a small group of friends are helping the music suite corridor visually come to life. As part of the requirements for the Girl Scouts Gold Award, Katie is creating sillouhettes of performing musicians in the entry hallway to the DGS music suite. "It's exciting to see the project come to life." said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "This project definitely adds an element of class to our music suite." Thanks to Kaitlyn and her friends for working to complete this fabulous project!

Muriel Anderson visits South High School

Internationally acclaimed musician and guitarist Muriel Anderson http://www.murielanderson.com/ visited South High School today. Ms. Anderson performed for and delivered a master class to Guitar I students. Ms. Anderson will perform at the Johnson Auditorium at North High School on Saturday, November 26, 2011 at 8:00 PM. Featured artists on this 20th annual homecoming concert will be flamenco guitar duo Tierra Negra and bassist extraordinaire, Victor Wooten. Tickets for the November concert are $22 and can be purchased at the web site above or at Anderson's Bookshop in Downers Grove.

Marching Mustangs make South High School History

During the 2010 competitive marching season, the Marching Mustangs from South High School in Downers made history by qualifying for finals competition at the Invitational Marching Band Championships at Illinois State University. In 2010, the Marching Mustangs finished in 11th place in finals with a score of 69.90.

During the 2011 competitive marching season, the Marching Mustangs created unprecedented historical success, both at South High School and in the competitive marching bands.

"I've never heard of or seen this much competitive improvement in one year" said DG South Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "This improvement trajectory is simple awesome."

During preliminary competition at ISU, the Marching Mustangs finished second place in Class 6A, winning the caption for Best General Effect and earning a spot, for the second year in a row, in finals competition.

"This year, there were 45 competing marching ensembles in the event at ISU." said Department Chairman Glenn Williams. "Heading into the invitational at ISU, the competition among the top bands was fierce. With automatic bids, only 14 bands qualify for the evening finals performance."

Based on a random draw, the Marching Mustangs were chosen to perform last in the finals competition, stepping off at approximately 10:44 PM. This is the moment when South High School history was about to be made.

The judging panel scores were tabulated and the results were announced, first starting with 14th place and then moving to 5th place. "When our school wasn't called, my heart was pounding." said junior drum major Josiah Williams. Then, came the history making moment. The public address announcer read the results, boldly proclaiming the Marching Mustangs as 4th place with a score of 83.55. A historically unprecedented leap from 2010, both in terms of score and final placement.

The Marching Mustangs will continue to perform at home play-off football games, and, will appear in the nationally televised McDonald's Thanksgiving Day Parade in Chicago, IL. For more information about the Marching Mustangs, or about Fine Arts at South High School, contact department Chairman Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Enjoy the video below of the Marching Mustangs historical 2011 Finals performance at the 2011 State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Championships at Hancock Stadium at Illinois State University.

South HS Fine Arts and IHSA Play-off Football

Students in the Fine Arts at South High School played their parts in the opening round of the IHSA play-offs at DGS on Friday, October 28, 2011. The Madrigal Singers performed a stunning unaccompanied rendition of the National Anthem, and the Marching Mustangs revved the crowd from the stands and performing with poise and precision at halftime.

Illini Marching Band Championships

On Saturday, October 22, 2011, 47 high school marching bands competed in the Illini Marching Band Championships in Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois in Champaign/Urbana, Illinois. Bands from Antioch to Rock Island, from Watseka to Effingham performed and competed throughout the course of the day.

Of the 6 bands in Class 6A, your Marching Mustangs finished in first place, earning caption awards for Outstanding Music, Outstanding Visual and Outstanding Auxiliary. Of the 47 bands during the course of the competition day, the Marching Mustangs finished 4th place overall. Additionally, the Marching Mustangs earned a score of 90.05, the highest competitive score in recent memory for the Marching Mustangs.

Enjoy the video below from the performance in Memorial Stadium.

Gaudete Brass residency continues......

The Gaudete Brass continued their residency in Downers Grove today, rehearsing at Eisenhower Junior High School and at South High School. The Gaudete Brass is performing with Lakeview Band, the Eisenhower Band and the DGS Wind Ensemble on November 15, 2011 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium at South High School. Tubsit and quintet member Scott Tegge teaches tuba and euphonium at South and North High Schools. From the sounds coming from area rehearsal rooms, this is a performance you won't want to miss!

South High School Fall Choir Concert 2011

The South High School Choirs, over 280 strong in 8 different choral ensembles, presented an amazingly captivating concert this evening. Repertoire ranged from gospel to madrigal, from broadway to contemporary, from folk song to art song. Every single ensemble was sonically stunning this evening. The audience was treated to multiple "goose-bump" moments throughout the course of the evening. Great job tonight Mustang singers - you did us all proud tonight!