Congratulations Class of 2013

We extend a heartfelt congratulations and bid a fond farewell to the South High School Class of 2013.  Specifically, we acknowledge the artists in sight and in sound who set high standards as artists and as people as their departing legacy.

Best wishes in your future endeavors.  Your alma mater expects you to visit with frequency!

D99 Orchestra Concert Video Replay

Did you miss tonight's D99 Orchestra Concert?  Or were you playing in the concert, and would like to see/hear it?  Check out the video from High School Cube:

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/d99-orchestra-spring-concert-2013-310570

D99 Orchestra Senior Celebration Concert

Kudos and congratulations to the student musicians in the District 99 Orchestra and their conductor, Jennifer Mullen, for presenting an outstanding Senior Celebration Concert this evening.  In addition to excellent performances by the Concert Orchestra and Symphonic Orchestra that featured works by Glinka, Beethoven and Ginastera, other highlights included student soloists, a harp duet, a string quartet, and a tremendous senior solo by cellist Sean Hux.

A special tribute at the end of the concert featured all current orchestra members and numerous alumni performing The Final Countdown in tribute to the orchestra class of 2013.  This piece was conducted by District 99 Orchestra director emeritus John Svoboda.  Mr. Svoboda founded the orchestra programs in District 99 and District 58 thirty six years ago.  Mr. Svoboda's grandson is currently a senior bassist in the D99 Orchestra.  A former student of Mr. Svoboda read a stunning tribute to his work that elegantly connected students and the community forged in the music making process as a commonality across time.  The patrons in attendance responded with an authentic standing ovation after the concluding number, acknowledging the work of the student musicians, the senior class,  and the tribute to the founding patriarch of string education in Downers Grove.

Jazz at Fishel Park 2013

Mother Nature cooperated, and the students of the DGN and DGS jazz bands did not disappoint! It was an amazing night of music at Fishel Park. Congratulations to all of the musicians performing tonight in the final jazz concert of the year. 

D99 Spring Orchestra Concert

The student musicians in the District 99 Orchestra is in rehearsal today, preparing for their Spring Concert on Wednesday, May 23, 2013 at 7 PM in the Auditorium at South High School.  Works by Lalo, Glinka, and Beethoven will be featured on this concert, for which admission is free.  

A highlight of this concert will be the last selection, The Final Countdown, which will feature the D99 Orchestra, alumni and a Class of 2013 Slide Show.  The last piece will be conducted by Mr. John Svoboda, founder of the District 99 Orchestra.

The concert will also be streaming live on High School Cube.  To experience the broadcast, please follow this link:

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/d99-orchestra-spring-concert-2013-310570

Flight of the Bumblebee - on bassoon?

Musician, bassoonist and conductor Dan D'Andrea visited the South High School bands today, performing Bach and Rimsky-Korsakov on basssoon, and, sharing the glorious aspects of being a bassoonist.  Hopefully, the seeds being planted today will results in a growing number of student bassoonists in the Mustang Bands in the coming years.  Thanks to Mr. D'Andrea for sharing his musical and bassoon skills today!

Jazz at Fishel Park 2013

You don't want to miss the annual 'Jazz In The Park' concert, scheduled for Tuesday night, May 21st, at 6:30 PM in Fishel Park.  (Special pre-concert set by the DGS Jazz Workshop begins at 6:15 PM.)

This annual concert - which kicks off the Downers Grove Park District Summer Concert Series - is sure to please listeners of all ages.  Come out to support the jazz ensembles of DGN and DGS!

For out-of-town friends/family, we will attempt a remote webcast.  Presuming the technology works, you may view/hear the concert at:

http://www.highschoolcube.com/event/2013-jazz-in-the-park-d99-jazz-310274


In case of inclement weather (DG Park District decision), the rain-location will be the DGN Auditorium.

South HS Bands Spring Concert

Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony presented their 2013 Spring Concert this evening to a capacity crowd in the auditorium at South High School.  Each band played challenging repertoire with precision, musicianship, and solid characteristic tone.  The patrons enjoyed a wide range of repertoire, from symphonic classics like Malaguena and Pictures at and Exhibition, to lighter summer favorites like La Belle Helene and The Trombone King.  Kudos and congratulations to the student musicians for a truly outstanding performance this evening.

2013 DGS Choirs Banquet

Students, parents and staff associate with the South High School choirs gathered last night to celebrate a year of making music, and, to acknowledge the relationships that strengthen the music making process and product.  Special thanks to the Choral Boosters for organizing and delivering such a wonderful event for the student musicians in the choirs.

2013 Congressional Art Show

"Breaking Through" by Egle Keturakyte

Four award winners were selected in the 2013 Congressional Art Show sponsored by Congressman Bill Foster.  Of the four recipients, two are South High School Visual Artists.

Egle Keturakyte, a Junior at Downers Grove South High School earned 3rd place for here piece Breaking Through, and sophomore Sarah Wagner earned 4th place for her piece "Crash."


"It's always a pleasure to see the ability and imagination of our students," said Congressman Bill Foster (Illinois 11th District). "I congratulate all of this year's participants for showcasing the creativity and talent."  (See full Congressman Foster Press Release here.)

"We are so proud that South High School artists continue to earn state-level recognition from a variety of exhibitions." said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  "The continuing success is indicative of hard working students and dedicated faculty."  For more information about visual art at South High School, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

DGS Wind Ensemble prepares "Intermix"

In preparation for the 2013 Graduation concert, the South High School Wind Ensemble prepares the composition Intermix by Don Owens.  A long time musical mentor of South High School and District 99, the venerable Professor Owens came to rehearsal today to share insight and expertise to refine the performance of this piece, which was composed for Wind Ensemble and Jazz Combo.  The piece will be performed on Thursday, May 23, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the Auditorium at South High School.

2013 Spring Concert Week

Join us for one, join us for all!  A lot of fabulous music will be made by a lot of student musicians next week! Celebrate spring in Downers Grove by attending one of these performances!

2013 South High School Fine Arts Department Award Recipients

The Fine Arts Department at South High School in Downers Grove congratulates the 2013 Department Award recipients.  Many of these students names are engraved on perpetual plaques that hang in the music suite to commemorate their legacy and musicianship as inspiration for future generations of Mustang musicians.

2013 Fine Arts Department Outstanding Seniors

Music – Josiah Williams

Art – Sammie Anselmo

2013 Goldie Zechel Senior Arts Scholarship

Art – Crystal Ponce and Aura Evans

Music – Christian Siki

 

National School Choral Award -  Ellie Walsh-Rock, Dan Leahy

Louis Armstrong Jazz Award – Christian Siki

John Philip Sousa Award – Josiah Williams

National School Orchestra Award – Sean Hux

2013 Downer Grove Music Club Summer Rising Stars Scholarships

Caitlin Carr, Andrew Molina, Kelsey Richardson, Rachel Wydra

2013 Downers Grove Music Club College Music Award (sponsored by Rose Verona)

Josiah Williams

2013 Downers Grove Women’s Club Summer Study Scholarship

 Music – Josephine Saponara

 Art – Jane Woywod

Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) Summer Study Grants

Michael Baer, Kassandra Bernardo, Jenny Bolton, Brett Cohen, Emily Dahowski, Meredith Ferguson

Melanie Frewen, Andrew Mahlan, Ahona Mazumder, Tiffany Nguyen, Crystal Panganiban,

Natasha Prosek, Josephina Saspanora, Jennifer Shi, Jessica Stacko, Besiana Useni, Elyse Warnecke and Jane Woywood

 

 

 

 

 

2013 Spring Art Show and Senior Black Box Exhibition

 The 2013 Senior Black Box and Spring Art Show at South High School continues to provoke patrons in meaningful ways with pieces of 2D and 3D work that are technically proficient and aesthetically profound. From entry level classes to studio level classes, the work of the students in all media is both artistically captivating and extremely high in craftsmanship. Special thanks to all of the students and staff who contributed to the success of this stunning show.

South High School 2013 Spring Art Show - OPENS TONIGHT!

The final preparations are being put in place for the South High School 2013 Spring Art Show.  Featuring more than 500 pieces of 2D and 3D student work, the show opens tonight, May 9, 2013 at 6:00 PM in the West Events Entrance and is in exhibition until Tuesday, May 14, 2013.  The public may view the student work during normal business hours at the school, from 8 AM until 4 PM.

A special feature of this show is the Senior Black Box, an exhibition gallery that features the work and artist statement of the graduating seniors in visual art at South High School. 

2013 South High School Fine Arts Outstanding Seniors

Congratulations and kudos to the South High School Class of 2013 Outstanding Seniors, Sammie Anselmo in Visual Art and Josiah Williams in Music.

D99 Orchestra Banquet

Family and friends of North and South high school Orchestra students gathered tonight at DGN to celebrate the many musical and artistic successes of our District 99 orchestra.

A special thanks is extended to all of the parents who helped make this evening's celebration a tremendous success.

Congratulations to all of our District 99 Orchestra students, and Ms. Mullen!

2013 South High School Choir Show

The 2013 South High School Choir Show, themed around the popular television series "GLEE," will be performed on Thursday, May 2 and Friday, May 3 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Admission is free to this annual popular event, which features over 200 students from the DGS Choirs.