DGS Homecoming 2016

What a great day to be a Mustang! Despite having some inclement weather that cancelled the Homecoming Parade, the Marching Mustangs and Jazz Ensemble participated in an energetic Pep Assembly and Football Game. The students were as spirited as ever and enjoyed a fabulous day. Way to go Mustangs!

Happy Homecoming Friday 2016!

The Marching Mustangs have a busy day ahead of Homecoming Festivities. Please enjoy this movie trailer from this morning as the band marched the hallways of the school and performed a concert in the courtyard for the school staff. It's a great day to be a Mustang!

Don't Miss Barrage 8! Get your tickets now!! @Dist_99 #99Learns #dgspride

Barrage 8 is coming to District 99!  The concert - which is expected to sell-out - will be on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of Downers Grove North High School.

Tickets are $15 per person.  Seating is general admission.  You may purchase tickets from the Barrage 8 website, or by following this link: https://barrage8.ticketspice.com/downers-grove-oct-5.

Barrage 8 is the latest project from John Crozman, Dean Marshall and Tony Moore, the original creators of the hit show Barrage. Utilizing the same energy, panache and innovative stage performance that Barrage was known for, Barrage 8 features all the instruments in the modern string family. The "8" in the name represents a re-imagining of the string octet: 5 violins, viola, cello and double bass. This instrumentation drives a rich and powerful sonic palette that further explores the musical diversity in the Barrage 8 compositions and arrangements. Barrage 8 presents what the Barrage name has come to represent worldwide: 

"a memorable presentation of music, from many genres and cascading generations, delivered in a way not seen or heard before."

To get a sampling of the type of music that will be performed, please check out this video:https://youtu.be/WBHlY75W70w

Marching Mustangs on the HS Cube #99Learns #DGSPride @Dist_99

If you are unable to join the Marching Mustangs this Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Naperville Central Fall Classic at Benedictine University, you can catch the live stream of their performance on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.  Have a great show weekend Marching Mustangs - we look forward to seeing you on our home turf for Homecoming next week!

University of Nebraska Husker Marching Band in Downers Grove! #99Learns #DGSPride @Dist_99

In preparation for a B1G 10 showdown against Northwestern University, The University of Nebraska Cornhusker Marching Band will be rehearsing in the stadium at Downers Grove South HS on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at 1:30 PM.  Marching Mustang students will be able to watch the rehearsal prior to departing for their competition later in the day at Benedictine University.  Directed by Anthony Falcone, the 300+ member Cornhusker Marching Band was the recipient of the coveted Sudler Trophy in 1996.  Our Marching Mustangs will get a glimpse of the the future potentially could hold for each of them on Saturday afternoon in the future!

D99/D58 String Festival #99Learns #DGSPride @Dist_99

Over 250+ student string musicians gathered at South High School yesterday for the 2016 D99/D58 String Festival Workshop.  Student musicians worked in student led-small groups, focusing on improving performance repertoire.  After small group work, the students gathered in the cafeteria for a pizza dinner co-sponsored by DGS Friends of Fine Arts and DGN Fine Arts Boosters.  The festival concluded with a combined rehearsal in the auditorium with Ayodele, an African Drum and Dance ensemble.

This festival is in preparation for the combined concert featuring student string musicians from Herrick MS, O'Neill MS, and the D99 Orchestra which will take place on Thursday, October 20, 2016 at 7:00 PM in the auditorium at South High School.  The concert theme is “Music is a Passport to the World,” and will feature a variety of music from various world cultures, including Native American, Chinese, Hungarian, African, Mariachi, Indian and much, much more!

Special thanks to D99 Orchestra director Jennifer Mullen for coordinating this event, and to Herrick MS director Madelyn Fiene and O'Neill MS director Julie Spring for supporting their student participation in this event.  

Former Marching Mustangs Marching at the Next Level #DGSPride #99Learns @Dist_99 @DGS_Bands

South High School Fine Arts and the Marching Mustangs are proud of the alums who continue to pursue their passion in the marching arts as members of college marching bands. The musical and relational opportunities created for student musicians who choose to participate in a marching ensemble in college are boundless.  Home games, away game trips, bowl games, and friendships that will last a lifetime work together to create a positive depth and breadth to the college experience for these students that is singularly unique.  

We are especially proud of the six DGS alums currently in the Marching Illini at the University of Illinois.  Of the six former Marching Mustangs in the Marching Illini, three are section leaders!  Thanks to all of you for continuing your love of the marching arts at the collegiate level.

University of Illinois Marching Illini

(From left to right)

Kyla Swain, mellophone

Sam Kotlicky, trumpet (section leader)

Nicole Nowak, clarinet

Bella Cherry, guard (section leader)

Abrielle Joseph, percussion/cymbals

Dan Reeter, tenor saxophone (section leader)

University of Notre Dame Band of the Fighting Irish

Marjorie Fera, trumpet

Emily Foernssler, clarinet (Core Band)

Western Michigan University Bronco Marching Band

Brooke Nuccio, piccolo

University of Southern California Spirit of Troy Marching Band

Samm Cho, clarinet

Illinois State University Big Red Marching Machine

Sam Tedeschi, sousaphone

Sarah Alfini, Redline Express Dance Team

Zoe McGrath, flute

Iowa State University Cyclone Marching Band

Zach Perez, tenor saxophone

(Zach gets two pictures this year because he was missed missed in the alumni post in 2015)

Friday Night Lights #DGSPride #99Learns @Dist_99 @DGS_Bands

Barrage 98 in Downers Grove! #99Learns #DGSPride @Dist_99

Barrage 8 is coming to District 99!  The concert - which is expected to sell-out - will be on Wednesday, October 5, 2016 at 7:00 p.m. in the Clarence Johnson Auditorium of Downers Grove North High School.

Tickets are $15 per person.  Seating is general admission.  You may purchase tickets from the Barrage 8 website, or by following this link: https://barrage8.ticketspice.com/downers-grove-oct-5.

Barrage 8 is the latest project from John Crozman, Dean Marshall and Tony Moore, the original creators of the hit show Barrage. Utilizing the same energy, panache and innovative stage performance that Barrage was known for, Barrage 8 features all the instruments in the modern string family. The "8" in the name represents a re-imagining of the string octet: 5 violins, viola, cello and double bass. This instrumentation drives a rich and powerful sonic palette that further explores the musical diversity in the Barrage 8 compositions and arrangements. Barrage 8 presents what the Barrage name has come to represent worldwide: 

"a memorable presentation of music, from many genres and cascading generations, delivered in a way not seen or heard before."

To get a sampling of the type of music that will be performed, please check out this video:https://youtu.be/WBHlY75W70w

38th Lake Park Lancer Joust #DGSPride #99Learns @DGS_Bands @Dist_99

 Congratulations to the students and staff affiliated with the Marching Mustangs for a strong opening weekend to their 2016 competition season.  After a prelims performance that secured the ensemble a a spot in the evening finals slate of bands, the group continued to perform well, placing 7th out of ten bands in a highly competitive field with a score of 61.30 during finals.  Great job Marching Mustangs - your hard work and attention to detail during practices is showing in your strong performances.  Keep up the great work!