Friday, October 31, 2014

Marching Mustang member Tyler Jankowski to participate in 2014 Macy's Parade

Junior percussionist Tyler Jankowsi has been selected to participate in the Great American Marching Band in Herald Square on November 27, 2014 as part of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

The opportunity is open to students from over 14,000 high schools across the United States. Since 2006 when the band was formed, over 2000 students from across the United States has had the opportunity to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade as part of the MGAMB.
Stepping-off from Central Park, the Band will be cheered by 3 million live spectators, before arriving at Macy's Herald Square for their national performance for more than 50 million TV viewers watching the broadcast live on NBC.

The students will have the chance to participate in this prestigious band with over 245 students, representing every state. The musicians, under the direction of Dr. Richard Good, Auburn University, assisted by Barry Houser, University of Illinois, will be complemented by approximately 40 flags and dancers.

Dr. Good is the Director of Bands at Auburn University in Auburn, AL. Mr. Houser is the Assistant Director of Bands and Director of the Marching Illini and Athletic Bands at the University of Illinois. The percussion instructor is Dr. Doug Rosener, who is the Associate Director of Bands at Auburn University.

The students will also have the opportunity to attend a leadership/educational workshop while in NY. The workshop will focus on leadership and encourage students to achieve their maximum potential. In addition to marching in the parade, all selected participants' package plans will include meals, lodging, and New York City sightseeing.

"We are very proud of Tyler for auditioning for and making this prestigious ensemble"  said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  "Tyler is going to have the experience of a lifetime while rehearsing and performing in New York city."

For more information about DGS Fine Arts, please contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

Monday, October 27, 2014

DGS Musicians earn 52 spots in ILMEA Ensembles



 
On Tuesday, October 14, 2014,  99 student musicians from South High School in Downers Grove auditioned at Carl Sandburg High School to participate in the 2014 Illinois Music Educators' Association District 1 Festivals.  The music faculty, private teachers and sender school music teachers associated with South High School are proud to recognize the students that earned 52 placements in band, choir, jazz band, vocal jazz and orchestra.  These students have been selected through a highly competitive audition to participate in the 2014 ILMEA District Festivals.

Student musicians enrolled in music ensembles in the DGS Fine Arts department continue to annually demonstrate remarkable success at both the District and All-State level. "The total number of participating students continues to be consistently high on an annual basis." said DGS Fine Arts Chairman Glenn Williams. "Additionally, DGS is equally well represented in all areas of ensemble performance – band, choir, orchestra, vocal jazz and jazz band - in this process."

For more information about attending these district festivals, please contact Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org or at 630.795.8681.

CHOIR
Molly Carlson (10) Soprano II
Brett Cohen (12) Bass I
Alana Copeland (11) Soprano II
Vanessa Copeland (10) Alto I
Caitlin Coulam (12) Alto II
Emily Dahowski (12) Alto II
Melanie Frewen (12) Soprano I
Gabrielle Henderson (11) Alto I
Abrielle Joseph (12) Alto II
Emily Kaszyk (10) Alto I
Jessica Ley (12) Alto I
Anthony Mackar (12) Tenor I
Patrick Mitchell (11) Tenor I
Alexandra Nebelle (11) Soprano I
Nicole Perillo (11) Alto I
Samantha Ruiz (11) Alto II
Akila Shanmugham (11) Soprano II
Rachel Stepp (12) Alto II
Peter Szpytek (11) Tenor II
Jeremy Ursache (11) Bass II
Lydia Walsh-Rock (10) Alto I
Elyse Warnecke (12) Soprano II

WINDS & PERCUSSION (CLASSICAL)
Allie Brandt (9) Bb Clarinet (Band)
Larissa Gurnic (11) Tuba (Band)
Bridget Moroney (11) Bb Clarinet (Band)
Kristina Mucha (10) Bb Clarinet (Band)
Brooke Nuccio (12) Flute (Orchestra)
Daniel Piccoli (10) Alto Saxophone (Band)
Julia Poska (11) Bb Clarinet (Band)
Predrag Radakovic (12) Euphonium (Band)
Joseph Shen (11) Flute (Band)
Samuel Tedeschi (12) Tuba (Orchestra)

ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Helena Beikircher (11) Violin
Hayley Beube (11) Violin
Nicolette Cheaure (9) Viola
Seth Collins (11) Violin
Kristyn Krajewski (11) Harp
Nithin Nathan (10) Violin
Jonathan Nelson (12) String Bass (Band)
Allison Williams (12) Cello

WINDS & PERCUSSION (JAZZ)
Paul Gurnic (9) Trombone
Kevin Hux (11) Trombone
Brianna Imgruet (10) Trumpet
Tyler Jankowski (11) Drums
Matt Laczynski (10) Trombone
Daniel Piccoli (10) Alto Saxophone
Brian Piller (10) Alto Saxophone
Cassie Plata (12) Tenor Saxophone
Emily Rzeszutko (12) Trumpet
Samuel Tedeschi (12) Bass

VOCAL JAZZ (CHOIR)
Isaiah Durrani (10) Tenor
Gabrielle Henderson (11) Alto

Saturday, October 25, 2014

The Final Bow for Music Bowl 2014





The 2014 Music Bowl concluded with a "final bow" from your Marching Mustangs - one last superb performance of "Don't Forget Your Passport."  The 10 bands in the finals competition performed at peak intensity, and the evening was capped off in a swing style with an exhibition performance by your Marching Mustangs.

A special "thank you" goes out to the more than 200 volunteers that contributed to the success of the Music Bowl this year with a special "shout-out" to the 2014 Music Bowl Co-Chairs Peggy Nuccio and Judi Swain.

More great music today at South High School




In addition to the fabulous students in the 19 marching bands that performed at the 12th Music Bowl today, we were joined by the Northern Illinois University Marching Band, Dr. Thomas Bough, director for an exciting exhibition performance.  During the dinner break, student musicians from the band "Souled Out" provided dinner entertainment, covering largely the music of the band Snarky Puppy.

12th Marching Mustang Music Bowl underway






The 12th Music Bowl is underway this afternoon with absolutely postcard perfect conditions.  A solid crowd is already on hand in the stadium to support the student musicians.

If you are unable to join us in the stadium, you can watch the event on the live High School Cube Stream by clicking here.

2014 Music Bowl


Please join us today in the stadium at South High School for the 2014 Marching Mustang Music Bowl today, starting at 11:30 PM.  The only thing better than the weather today will be the performances of the student marching artists on the field.

Tickets are $10 a person and are available at the gate.

Madrigal Singers at IL-ACDA Convention





Congratulations to the students in the 2014-2015 Madrigal Singers for a remarkable performance at the IL-ACDA Convention in Wentz Hall on the campus of North Central College on Friday, October 24, 2014.

The students performed a challenging program with a musical maturity beyond their chronological years.  The audience in attendance were captivated by the depth and breadth of the performance displayed through the artistic expression of the student musicians.  Area choral directors from the regions were truly inspired by this ensemble.  Well done Madrigal Singers!

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Strings Rock!!!!!









What a fabulous concert this evening!  The string musicians from O'Neill Middle School, Herrick Middle School and the District 99 Orchestra collaborated to present a concert featuring great rock tunes.  The lighting effects and additional rhythm section players unified with the string musicians to create a concert that was multi-sensory in impact and that was an immediate favorite of the patrons in attendance this evening.  Special shout-out to  our District 58 colleagues Mackenzie Bufis, Lisa Rose and Colleen Eakely for putting in the extra time and energy to provide this experience for their students.  It was heartening to see so many students studying and playing string instruments in Downers Grove.

In case you weren't able to join us live in the auditorium this evening, please enjoy the re-broadcast of this concert on the High School Cube by clicking here.

Guest clinicians in the Music Suite at South High School


In preparation for their performance at the IL-ACDA Convention tomorrow, students in The Madrigal Singers worked today with composer Michael Engelhardt.  The Madrigal Singers are currently studying his arrangement of Wayfaring Stranger.  Working directly with a composer provides authoritative insight that strengthens both the learning process and the final product.


Students in the bands at South High School are working with Steven Steele, former Director of Bands at Illinois State University.  The focused teaching on active listening had a positive sonic impact on every ensemble today.

Great sounds and fabulous learning experiences coming from the Music Suite today!

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

D99/D58 "Orchestra Rocks" 2014 String Festival




Students in the D99 orchestra are rehearsing today to present the 2014 D99/D58 String Festival "Orchestra Rocks" on Thursday, October 23, 2014 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend this event, which will feature string students from D99 and D58 playing classic rock repertoire.

If you are unable to join us live in the auditorium, the concert will be broadcast live on the High School Cube.  You may view the concert by clicking here.

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

2014 Fall Choir Concert









Congratulations to the student musicians in the choirs at South High School for presenting a fabulous Fall Choir Concert.  9 different ensembles performed a wide variety of music, including seven different languages.  Additionally, several ILMEA District and State Level pieces were performed during the course of the evening.  Well done tonight everyone!

Sunday, October 19, 2014

44th Illinois Marching Band Championships









Great job by your Marching Mustangs as they performed and competed in the 44th Illinois Marching Band Championships in Memorial Stadium on the campus of the University of Illinois.  Competing in Class 6A, the Marching Mustangs earned a placed 2nd earning caption awards for Best Percussion and Best Visual  Great ending to a successful competitive season!

It was also great to see so many former Marching Mustangs in the Marching Illini.  Thanks for being such great hosts, guides, and role models for continuing music after high school!