Muriel Anderson visits South High School #99Learns

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, Guitar II, Digital Music. 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 annual Homecoming Concert, which this year is on Saturday, November 28, 2015 at 8:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School.  Special guest artist for this concert is rising phenom Daniel Champagne - this is an event you won't want to miss!

We are grateful to Ms. Anderson for sharing her expertise and talents with our students each year!

Holiday Window Painting #99Learns

Congratulations to the student artists who participated in a holiday window decorating event at Pugi Hyundai in Downers Grove on Friday, November 20, 2015.  In addition to student artists from South High, students from DGN and Morton High School also participated.  Chloe Lapen, Kristyn Krajewski, Bridget Moroney, Tiffany Leung and Swathi Pillalamarri, Cynthian Hernandez-Ramirez and Elisabeth Sema-Sanchez were among the Mustang artists who contributed to the visual celebration of the season!  

DGS Fine Arts welcomes Dr. Steve Peterson #99Learns

South High School Fine Arts and the Mustang Bands were pleased and proud to welcome Dr. Steve Peterson to the music suite today.  Dr, Peterson is the newly appointed director of bands at the University of Illinois.  Dr. Peterson worked with Wind Symphony and Wind Ensemble today in preparation for the upcoming Holiday Concert at South High School on December 10, 2015.  Dr. Peterson elevated the level of performance in the room immediately, refining the listening by the students and encouraging an artistic approach towards performance.  We look forward to Dr. Peterson continuing to have a positive impact on bands in Illinois as he guest conducts the ILMEA District 1 Band on Saturday, November 21, 2015 at Elmhurst College.

New Custom Made Ceramics Glaze Table #99Learns @DGSFineArts

Thanks to the Friends of Fine Arts for supporting the new custom designed glaze table in the Ceramics Studio.  A truly functional and fabulous classroom asset!

Fall Jazz Concert 2015 #99Learns

Kudos and congratulations to the nearly 75 student musicians in the three jazz ensembles at South High School in Downers Grove for presenting a fabulous fall concert.  The repertoire performed tonight covered a wide range of jazz styles and periods, and, was performed with a high level of artistry and sonic maturity.

If you were unable to join us in the auditorium this evening, or, if you want to enjoy a rebroadcast of the concert from tonight, please view it on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.

2015 Fall Jazz Concert #99Learns

The final preparations are being made for the 2015 Fall Jazz Concert at South High School.  The performance tonight features student musicians in the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble.  Featured composers this evening include Horace Silver, Dexter Gordon, Benny Carter, Wayne Shorter and Artie Shaw.  The concert starts at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  Admission is free and the public is cordially invited to attend.

If you are unable to join us in the auditorium in person this evening, please join us virtually on the High School Cube.  The concert may be viewed by CLICKING HERE.

2015 Wind Ensemble Invitational

Kudos and congratulations to the student musicians from Eisenhower Junior High School, Matt Janus, conductor, and Lakeview Junior High School, Tom Tedeschi, conductor, for their performances at the 2015 DGS Wind Ensemble Invitational.  Both groups played with mature sounds and artistry beyond their chronological years.  Based on the sounds heard in the auditorium this evening, the sonic future is extremely bright for the Mustang Bands.

Congratulations also to our Wind Ensemble, Craig Roselieb and Greg Hensel, conductors, for performing challenging literature with musicianship and maturity.  Stay tuned to concerts for the rest of the year from each of these tremendous ensembles.

If you were unable to join us in the auditorium this evening, or, if you want to watch the replay of the concert, you can view the concert on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.