The Other Guys at South High School

From the University of Illinois, The Other Guys performed for South High School choirs today.  A longstanding acapella vocal ensemble on the campus at the U of I, today Mustang musicians were able to hear South High alum John Junk perform.

Well done Ms. Mullen!

Congratulations for a job well done to District 99 Orchestra Director Jennifer Mullen.  As ILMEA District I Orchestra Division representative, Ms. Mullen conducted the orchestra in the National Anthem to start the festival.  Great work Ms. Mullen - both on organizing the festival and on conducting the ensemble!

University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Faculty Brass Quintet

Members of the South High School Bands were treated today to a master class and performance by the Faculty Brass Quintet from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.  In addition to world-class performances in each period, the students engaged in dialog about how to be a musician after high school, and, how to continue to be a life-long musician regardless of vocation.  Special thanks to the UW-Milwaukee for sponsoring this appearance.  For more information about the school, please click here.

Music Celebrated at District Festival

Congratulations to our District 99 honored musicians for their outstanding and inspiring performances this afternoon at the ILMEA District 1 Music Festival.

Appreciation and thanks are also extended to our District 99 Fine Arts Faculty, many of whom volunteer countless hours of service each year to the ILMEA. Faculty currently serving in ILMEA leadership roles include:

Bill Miller - District 1 Audition Recording Engineer

Jennifer Mullen - District 1 Orchestra Co-Chair

Beth O'Riordan - District 1 Choral Co-Chair

Craig Roselieb - State Vice-President, Jazz Division

Glenn Williams - District 1 Jazz Division Chair

ILMEA District Festival Underway

District 99 is represented in impressive fashion at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Music Festival. Through competitive auditions held last month, dozens of DGN and DGS student musicians earned the honor and distinction of performing with the All-District Band, Choir and Orchestra this weekend. Congratulations to all our Trojan and Mustang stand-outs!

South High School Fine Arts Advanced Placement Course Offerings

This short presentation provides information about Advanced Placement Course offerings at South High School in Downers Grove.  Contact Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman at gwilliams@csd99.org with any questions.

Marching Mustang Season Banquet

Congratulations to the members of the 2013 Marching Mustangs for a fabulous season.  The students,  staff and parents associated with this premiere marching ensemble gathered this evening at South to celebrate the remarkable progress and improvement of the Marching Mustangs.  We thank the members of the Class of 2014 for their dedication and work, and, we look forward to a bright future with the largest first year member class in recent memory.

2013 Fall Jazz Concert

Congratulations to the students in the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for a fabulous performance this evening.  The 15 tunes played by the three bands ranged from Dizzy Gillespie to Charlie Barnett, from Maynard Ferguson to Neal Hefti.  The patrons in attendance were enthralled with the performances as they enjoyed the cheesecake samples at the end of the evening.  Great job tonight Mustang Jazz Musicians!

2013 South High School Fall Jazz Concert

The stage is set and the final preparations are being made for the 2013 South High School Fall Jazz Concert on Monday, November 18, 2013 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.

If you are unable to join is live in the auditorium, you may follow the performance from a remote location on the High School Cube by clicking here.

2013 Invitational a success!

Congratulations to the students from the Eisenhower Symphonic Band, directed by Matt Janus, and the Lakeview Wind Ensemble, directed by Tom Tedeschi, for stunning performances this evening.  The students performed with characteristic tone beyond their chronological years, and, with musicianship that left the audience breathless.  Following these two fine ensemble, the South High School Wind Ensemble performed challenging repertoire, including the Holst Second Suite in F for Military Band, with poise and precision.  Based on the sounds heard tonight, the sonic future is bright for the Mustang Bands.  We anticipate seeing and hearing many of these future Mustang musicians on the stage in the near future!

DGS Wind Ensemble/Junior High Invitational LIVE tonight on HIGH SCHOOL CUBE

If you are unable to join us live in the auditorium at South High School this evening, please watch from afar by clicking on this link:  DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational .  Let's go Mustang musicians!

Fall Band Concert

Congratulations to the student musicians in Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Ensemble for performing a fabulous Fall Band concert this evening.  Special thanks to our guest narrator, Mr. Jim Mizener, for providing the oration during Concert Bands's selection In Memoriam:  JFK.  Well done tonight Mustang Musicians - we are very proud of your sonic success!

2013 Fall Band Concert LIVE on High School Cube

Can't join us in the auditorium at South High School tonight?  Please join us LIVE on the High School Cube if you are not in the area.  Join us by clicking here.

Marching Mustang alums in the Marching Illini

South High School Fine Arts is proud of every graduate, but, we take a moment to shine on these two former Marching Mustangs who are now performing with the Marching Illini.  We extend a special congratulations to Callie Sorce and Sam Kotlicky for continuing in the marching arts after leaving DGS!

Marching Mustangs at he 2013 BOA Indy Super Regional

Congratulations to the students, staff and parents associated with the Marching Mustangs for their appearance in the highly competitive Bands of America Indianapolis Super Regional at Lucas Oil Stadium.  The Marching Mustangs improved their score and rank from their previous appearances, registering their highest score in school history since affiliating with this event.  The students have persevered over the course of a long season and shown dramatic improvement in both Music and General Effect.  With so many "rookies" on the field this year, it is clear the competitive future is very bright for this marching ensemble.

Good luck Marching Mustangs!

Best wishes to the students, staff and parents associated with the 2013 Marching Mustangs as they return this weekend to the fiercely competitive Bands of America Super Regional competition held at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Of the 35 marching ensembles competing over a two-day slate, there are 6 previous national champions.  We are proud of the Marching Mustangs for their continuing dedication to performance excellence, and, for their significant improvement over the course of this season.  Good luck Marching Mustangs!

DGS Bands Fall Concerts on High School Cube

Starting this year, we are broadcasting DGS Fine Arts events on the High School Cube. We are sending this information home to families ahead of the performance with the hope you'll share the links with out of town relatives and friends that will enjoy experiencing the performance via the internet stream.

As always, it is great for the student performers to play for a full, vibrant auditorium warm with receptive applause. Thanks in advance for your attendance in the auditorium in the coming week.

As a reminder, the 2013 Fall Bands Concert will feature the Concert Band, Symphonic Band and Wind Symphony. This concert is Tuesday, November 12th, 2013 at 7:00 PM. The 2013 Junior High/Wind Ensemble Invitational is Thursday, November 14, 2013 at 7:00 PM and will feature the DGS Wind Ensemble as well as the bands from Lakeview Junior High School and Eisnehower Junior High School.

Links to the High School Cube web cast are found below.

See you all next week,


Mr. Hensel, Mr. Roselieb and Mr. Williams

2013 Fall Bands Concert

2013 Junior High/Wind Ensemble Invitational

Muriel Anderson visits South High School

Internationally acclaimed guitarist and musician Muriel Anderson visited South High School today, performing and giving a master class for the students enrolled in Guitar I.  Ms. Anderson is a D99 alumnus, and returns every Thanksgiving to share her experiences and musicianship with students, and, to encourage and promote attendance at her Homecoming Concert, which this year is on Saturday, November 30, 2013 at 8:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School.  We are grateful to Ms. Anderson for sharing her expertise and talents with our students each year!