D99 Bands Host Musashino Academia Musicae in Exchange Concert

The Downers Grove North and South High School Bands were honored to host the Musashino Academia Musicae Wind Ensemble (with guest trumpet soloist Mr. Christopher Martin) for an exchange concert this evening. The ensemble, led by Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Professor Emeritus Ray E. Cramer, has traveled from Tokyo, Japan to perform this week at the prestigious 'Midwest International Band & Orchestra Clinic' in Chicago, IL, and stopped today in District 99 to share their musical artistry.

Thank you to the many persons who worked behind-the-scenes to ensure that today's events ran without a hitch. A special note of thanks is extended to the parent/family volunteers who coordinated the dinner for our guests. 

Congratulations to the members of the DGN and DGS Wind Ensembles for terrific performances to open this evening's concert!

Dr. Rodney Dorsey visits DGS #99Learns #DGSPride

Indiana University Jacobs School of Music Director of Bands Dr. Rodney Dorsey spent time this morning working with the South High School Wind Ensemble.  Dr. Dorsey focused his clinic time on active listening applied to individual and ensemble excellence.  It was a treat to have Dr. Dorsey share his time and expertise with our student musicians this morning.  Thanks to Mr. Brooks for facilitating this experience for our students!

2018 Winter Art Show Highlights #99Learns #DGSPride

Please enjoy these highlights from the 2018 Winter Art Show.  

Winter Art Show and Holiday Concert - We are ready! #99Learns #DGSPride

Your Mustang visual artists and musicians are ready!  The preparations for the Holiday Concert and Winter Art Show indicate this is an evening you won't want to miss!

Thanks in advance for supporting the arts in our community, district and school.  We look forward to sharing our sights and sounds with you tomorrow!

DGS Madrigal Singers visit WCIU "The Jam" #99Learns #DGSPride

The South High School Madrigals Singers visited the studio at WCIU in Chicago, recording seasonal selections that will be used on upcoming broadcasts of "THE JAM" morning show.  The students garnered authentic experience of what it is like to be part of a professional studio setting.

Material recorded  will be shown on broadcasts in early December - stay tuned to WCIU for specific to see your Mustang Musicians on the air!

2018-2019 South High School All-State Musicians #99Learns #DGSPride

8 student musicians from South High School in Downers Grove have been selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2018-2019  Illinois Music Education Association All-State Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs.  The auditions took place on October 2, 2018 at Carl Sandburg High School. Chorus students have been placed into Honors or All-State Ensembles based on their district auditions and call-backs.  Instrumental students will audition again in January while in Peoria for placement in either Honors or All-State Ensembles. 

“Earning a spot as an All-State musician is the pinnacle of performance success for a high school performer in Illinois” said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  "The long term performance success of these student musicians can be attributed to families, private teachers, and sender school music teachers.  South High School is proud of these students for their diligence and commitment to musical excellence and is pleased to have them represent our school, our district and our community as musical ambassadors at the IMEC this coming January in Peoria."

The All-State Band, Choir, and Orchestra will convene for a series of rehearsals in Peoria, IL, January 23-26, 2019.  Their concerts will be held at the Peoria Civic Center on the afternoon of January 26, 2019.

WINDS AND PERCUSSION
Samantha Guagliardo (12) - Euphonium

CHORUS
Peter Burrows (11) - Tenor I
Diana Kwak (10) - Soprano II
Matt McKenney (12) - Bass II
Samantha Selakovich (12) - Alto II
Stefan Tambik (11) - Tenor II
Adrian Trujillo (12) - Bass II

ORCHESTRA STRINGS
Therese Malinowski (11) - Cello

DGS Fine Arts at the 15th Bonfield Express #99Learns #DGSPride

Thanks to the students and staff from DGS Fine Arts for providing community musical service in support of the 2018 Bonfield Express.  Senior Adrian Trujillo started the race by singing a stunning National Anthem, and members of the DGS Rock Band Bemuse provided energetic support for  6,4000 race participants at the finish line.  Special thanks to the Bonfield Express for their ongoing support of District 99 students,  giving more than $350,000 in scholarships to nearly 160 high school seniors from D99 and other area Districts.

Muriel Anderson in District 99 #99Learns #DGSPride

Internationally acclaimed guitarist and musician Muriel Anderson visited both North and South High Schools today, performing and giving a master class for the students enrolled in Guitar classes, Digital Music classes, and several performance ensembles.  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 24, 2018 at 8:00 PM in the Johnson Auditorium at North High School.  Special guest artist for this concert is guitarist and entertainer John McEuen - 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!

DGS Students at the 2018 District 1 ILMEA Festival #99Learns #DGSPride

Congratulations to the DGS student musicians selected to perform at the Illinois Music Education Association District 1 Festival.  Students from across the Chicago region were selected by competitive audition to participate in day-long educational workshops with highly respected guest conductors, presenting a culminating concert for family,friends, and educators at the end of the day.  thanks to our colleagues at Oak Park and River Forest High School for hosting this event.  Thanks to the volunteer leaders in the ILMEA for facilitating this experience for our student musicians.  It was a great day to be a Mustang!

CHOIR

Matthew Bair (11) - Bass I
Dominic Balsamo (12) - Bass I
Peter Burrows (11) - Tenor I
Jillian Foster  (12) - Alto II
Agne Giedraityte  (11) - Soprano I
Diana Kwak (10) - Soprano II
Emily Leatherwood (11) - Soprano II
Matthew McKenney - (12) - Bass II
Samantha Selakovich (12) - Alto II
Jacqueline Sumida (11) - Soprano II
Stefan Tambik (11) - Tenor II
Adrian Trujillo - (12) - Bass II

WINDS AND PERCUSSION (CLASSICAL)
Carson Aldrich (12) - Trombone (Band)
Emma Ansah (12) - Bb Clarinet (Band)
Samantha Guagliardo  (12) - Euphonium (Band)
Kelly Jankowski (12) - Trumpet (Orchestra)
Matthew Leinart (10) - Alto Saxophone (Band)
Emily Schwab (12) - Bassoon (Band)
Saahil Sorakayla (11) - Bassoon (Band)
Jonah Sprandel (10) - Alto Saxophone (Band)

ORCHESTRA STRINGS

Therese Malinowski  (11) - Cello
Madeline Pteanc  (12) - Violin
Olivia Roti (9) - Viola

9/10 CHORUS
Samantha Bachara (9) - alto
Nathan Frewen (9) - bass
Kassem Ossman (9) - tenor
Gwendolynne Royle (9) - soprano

2018 Fall Jazz Concert #99Learns #DGSPride

Congratulations to the student musicians in Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Ensemble for presenting a fabulous Fall Concert this evening.  Student improvisation was a focus of the evening, with numerous students  in all three ensembles having an opportunity to express themselves through improvisation.  It was a great night to be a Mustang Jazz musician!

If you weren't able to join us in the auditorium this evening, please watch the archived broadcast on the South High Fine Arts YouTube Channel:

            

DGS Highlights from the 2018 Chicagoland 4 x 5 Show #99Learns #DGSPride

Please enjoy these highlights from DGS Visual artists on exhibition at the 2018 Chicagoland 4x5 Show at Oswego High School.