Marching Mustangs - From the Sky!!

Enjoy this aerial view of the Marching Mustangs rehearsal from Friday, September 25, 2014.  Special thanks and kudos to John Quinn and team for the spectacular views!

Great Lakes Confucius Institute Music Festival at Valparaiso University

The District 99 Symphonic Orchestra participated today in the Great Lakes Confucius Institute Music Festival at Valparaiso University.

Students had the opportunity to learn from talented guest conductors as well as attend a Chinese Instrument Workshop.  Several D99 students were featured in Master Classes.

Congratulations to all the DGN and DGS orchestra members who performed in a series of master classes, rehearsals, and a performance this evening.

2014 Homecoming Parade and Assembly

Happy Homecoming Friday!!!

Sights and Sounds from the 2014 Homecoming Show

50th Anniversary Homecoming Show

The 2014 Homecoming Show opened last night to rave reviews and enthusiastic audience response.  The Jazz Ensemble and the Jazz Lab Band both participated, opening and closing the show.

The show plays for one more night, Thursday, September 25, 2014 in the auditorium at South High School.  Tickets are available at the box office.

D99 student artists at the D58 Oktoberfest

Special shout out to student artists Jordan Danalewich, Jocelyn Danalewich, Deonna Chambers and Mikki Harris for volunteering for the D-58 Oktoberfest.  These students used their talents as visual artists to make a fun and positive artistic contribution to the community of Downers Grove.  Great job DGS visual artists!
 

Homecoming Week 2014 - Marching Mustang alums in the Marching Illini

During Homecoming Week we proudly salute former members of the Marching Mustangs who are continuing as marching artists in college.  Special shout out to these DGS grads (from left to right:)  Dan Reeter, Nate Gresik, Bella Cherry, Samantha Kotlicky and Callie Sorce!  Go Fighting Illini, and Go Mustangs!!!

2014 NIU/Phantom Regiment Red and Black Marching Festival

Fasten your seat belts and prepare for take-off as the Marching Mustangs continue to take us on a journey through the 2014 season.  Based on the music of award-winning group Snarky Puppy, the show titled "Don't Forget Your Passport" is a crowd favorite this year.  The student musicians are executing at a high level and continue to improve based on the formative judging feedback provided on a weekly basis.  Tonight, right after their performance, the Marching Mustangs were given immediate feedback from the staff of the Phantom Regiment.  The Marching Mustangs looked and sounded great in Huskie Stadium in DeKalb this evening, earning 2nd place in Class AAA with a score of 74.6.  In the end, the Marching Mustangs placed 3rd out of 19 competing bands during the course of the day.   It was a great night indeed to be a Mustang!

Resident composer Don Owens visits South High School

Composer, musician, educator and mentor Don Owens visited South High School today to discern the sonic capabilities of the students currently in the Wind Ensemble.  Professor Owens has been co-commissioned by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and Downers Grove South High School to write Concerto for Brass Quintet and Wind Ensemble.  The piece, which will feature the Gaudete Brass Quintet, will be premiered when the bands from District 99 perform at Carnegie Hall in New York City on March 2, 2015.  Professor Owens time listening to the students musicians today will enable him to differentiate the technical and artistic traits in the composition to suit the student musicians in the ensemble.  We are looking forward to hearing the world premiere of this piece at Carnegie Hall!

36th Lake Park Lance Joust

Congratulations to the 2014 Marching Mustangs for a tremendous outing at the 36th Lake Park Lancer Joust.  In a highly competitive field, the Marching Mustangs placed 7th in finals with a score of 64.05.  The students performed extremely well during the evening finals, overcoming the bizarre technical difficulties encountered during prelilms  It was indeed a great day to be a Mustang!

Friday Night Lights (and a bit of rain)

Despite the drizzle and the unseasonably chilly temperatures, the Marching Mustangs had successful pre-game and half-time performances, both generating tremendous crowd response.  The Marching Mustangs open their competitive season tomorrow at the highly competitive Lake Park Lancer Joust, performing at 3:45 PM on Saturday afternoon.  Great job tonight Marching Mustangs - you led the way with school spirit and with an entertaining and well executed half-time show.

Senior Night 2014 - Marching Mustangs

Congratulations to the Class of 2015 Marching Mustangs who all began their senior performance season tonight.  Although weather caused several delays, the senior recognition still took place, and, the spirit of the students during pre-game and in the stands was not dampened by the delays or the weather.   Even though halftime started shortly after 10 PM, the band perform with poise and precision.   Great job tonight seniors - we are excited to continue the journey through your final season in the ensemble!