DGS and DGN Bands Swing at the Tivoli

Congratulations to the members of the DGS and DGN Jazz programs for their outstanding performances last night at the Tivoli theater in Downers Grove. It was a pleasure and honor for our students to open for the great Northern Illinois University Jazz Orchestra!

DGS Winter Guard opens competitive season

After a debut performance at the DGS Girls Basketball game on Saturday, January 27th, the DGS Winter Guard opened their competition season with a strong showing at the Naperville North HS show, finishing 3rd place in their competitive class with a score of 61.88

The show is titled "Life is..." - a little reminder for everyone who watches that Life is Made of beautiful things that we may all take for granted.

Come see the DGS Winter Guard perform at their home show on Sunday, February 4, 2018 at 2:47 PM in the main gymnasium at South High School.  

Mustang Musicians at the 2018 IMEC All-State

Congratulations to the student musicians who participated in the 2018 IMEC as All-State Musicians in at the Civic Center in Peoria, Illinois.   Students worked with inspirational conductors and teachers for several days to prepare and present a concert of challenging repertoire. Even with limited rehearsal time,  each ensemble presented a stunning performance of challenging repertoire to a capacity crowd at Arena in the Civic Center for the All-State and Honors Concerts in Peoria.  Several District 99 students were featured during the concerts as soloists or in principal chairs in each of the ensembles.  

Special kudos also to the music go to the music faculty in District 99 for personifying the spirit of professional volunteerism that keeps ILMEA a vibrant organization: Brayer Teague is the President of ILMEA, Craig Roselieb is the President of the Jazz Division;  Beth O'Riordian is the co-chair of the District 1 Choral Division;  Frank Piekarz and Amanda Sirvatka led sectional rehearsals for both choirs;  Glenn Williams facilitated a panel discussion and presented a clinic on Remaining Collaborative during Conflict.    

All the District 99 students and staff extend a heartfelt "thank you" to the staff and volunteers and staff from ILMEA who contributed to creating this experience for our student musicians.   

WINDS AND PERCUSSION

Allie Brandt (12) - Bb Clarinet - Assistant Principle Clarinet, Honors Band

Danny King (12) - Bb Clarinet - Honors Band

CHORUS

Amy Binder (12) - Alto II - Honors Chorus

Matt Burrows (12) - Bass II - Honors Chorus

Agne Giedraityte (10) - Soprano I - All-State Chorus

Myles Henderson (12) - Bass II - Honors Chorus

Matthew McKenney (11) - Bass II - All-State Chorus

Natalie Olsen (12) - Soprano II - All-State Chorus

Nathaniel Parson (12) - Tenor II - Honors Chorus

Priya Patel (12) - Soprano II - All-State Chorus

ORCHESTRA STRINGS

Bella Kelly (12) - Violin II - All-State Orchestra

Therese Malinowski (10) - Cello - All-State Orchestra

Scholarship Alert for Seniors - DG Music Club Awards

In the spring of 2018, the Downers Grove Music Club will present a $1,000 College Music Award to at least one student enrolled in Band, Choir or Orchestra in District 99.   Award recipients will be selected based on the merit of their musical accomplishments, as described on the application form, and the quality of the musical performance provided on the video recording portion of the application.  The goal of these awards is to recognize and reward those students who have worked very hard in their musical pursuits and have achieved a high level of accomplishment as a musician.

Click HERE to be redirected to the DGMC Website with application details.  

Who is Eligible?

Any  District 99 high school band, choir or orchestra senior, who will be graduating during the 2017-2018  academic year and who will be attending college in the fall of 2018, is eligible to apply.

How Can I Apply?

The Application Form must be completed and mailed or e-mailed, along with a performance video recording, as directed on the form, by April 1, 2017.  Award recipients will be chosen only from among the applications received by the deadline date.

All entries must be POSTMARKED (if mailed) or DATE/TIME STAMPED (if electronically submitted) by the deadline date of April 1, 2018 to be eligible for review.

Questions should be sent to:  musiced@downersgrovemusicclub.org.

Scholarship Alert for Current Juniors - Downers Grove Music Club Scholarship

$400 Awards for Juniors

This year, the Downers Grove Music Club will present multiple $400 Rising Stars Music Awards.  Awards are given to students enrolled in the District 99 high schools in the areas of Band, Choir or Orchestra.  Award recipients are selected based on the merit of their musical accomplishments, as described on the application form and the quality of the musical performance provided on the recording portion of the application. The goal of these awards is to recognize and reward those students who have worked very hard in their musical pursuits and have achieved a high level of accomplishment as a musician.

Click HERE to be redirected to the DGMC Website with application details.

Who is Eligible?

Any  District 99 high school band, choir or orchestra student, currently in his/her junior year, pursuing a musical educational experience during the summer in which tuition is charged, is eligible to apply for a Rising Stars Award. Pianists may apply in the musical category with which they are affiliated.
 

Award recipients are required to perform the following year at the DGMC Rising Stars program, usually scheduled on a Tuesday evening in April. Come hear the 2017 Awards recipients perform on April 3, 2018. 

How Can I Apply?

The Application Form must be completed and mailed or e-mailed, along with a performance recording, as directed on the form by April 1, 2018.  Award recipients will be chosen only from among the applications received by the deadline date.

All entries must be POSTMARKED (if mailed) or DATE/TIME STAMPED (if electronically submitted) by the deadline date of April 1, 2018 to be eligible for review.

Questions should be sent to:  musiced@downersgrovemusicclub.org.

2018 Chicagoland Scholastic Art Judging Results

2018 American Vision Award Nominee - "Laughter" - Emmanuelle Copeland, artist

Gold Key winner - "Held Back" - Emma Ansah, artist

Gold Key Award Winner - "Head in the Clouds" - Sydney Antiporek, artist

Gold Key Award Winner - "Rebirth"- Samantha Mark, artist

Gold Key Award Winner - "Silence" - Aloha Mendibles

The Fine Arts Department at South High School n Downers Grove is pleased to announce the results of the judging from the 2018  Chicago area regional Scholastic Art Awards held at Downers Grove North High School. 1,271 student artists from 30 different high schools schools supported by 130 different teachers submitted 2,945 works of art and 75 art portfolios for adjudication.  40 South High School visual art students merited 94 awards, including 36 Gold Key Awards, 32 Silver Key Awards, 25 Honorable Mention Awards and one American Vision Award nominee.  American Vision Award nominees are considered the "Best of Show" by the judging panel and only five pieces from the entire region are selected for this prestigious honor.  These pieces, and all the award winning pieces from the entire regions, will be unveiled at the Opening Reception on Sunday, February 4, 2018 from 1-4:00 PM in the auditorium foyer at Downers Grove North High School.  The works will continue in exhibit for one week following the opening reception.

“We are exceedingly proud of both the process followed by our student artists, and, of the products they all create.” said Glenn Williams, Fine Arts Department Chairman at South High.  “Scholastic Art Awards represent a high point of artistic achievement for a high school Visual Artist.”  "We also congratulate our visual art faculty for mentoring these students through the artistic process." For more information about DGS Visual Art, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

American Vision Award Nominee

Emmanuelle Copeland - Painting

Gold Key Awards (34)

Emma Ansah - Drawing and Illustration (2)

Sydney Antiporek - Digital Art, Photography, Art Porfolio

Emmanuelle Copeland - Painting (2), Drawing and Illustration, Mixed Media

Nicole Cosenza - Photography

Emma Gannaway - Photography, Design

Kelli Gentile - Photography

Michelle Kravec - Photography (2)

Michelle Kurcina - Ceramics and Glass

Sophie Lane - Photography

Megan Lupie - Photography

Samantha Mark - Drawing and Illustration

Christina Markovski - Photography (2)

Aloha Mendibles - Drawing and Illustration

Kailee O'Connor - Ceramics and Glass

Judith Paniagua-Chavez - Photography

Samantha Perkins - Photography

Maggie Reynolds - Drawing and Illustration

Hailey Rodden - Photography (6), Art Portfolio

Gabby Senne - Ceramics and Glass

Destiny Varela - Mixed Media

Goda Vertelka - Photography

Silver Key Awards (23)

Sydney Antiporek - Mixed Media, Art Porfolio

Faith Leilani Barr - Ceramics and Glass

Naomi Cimmino - Ceramics and Glass

Emmanuelle Copeland - Painting, Mixed Media

Andrea Davenport - Drawing and Illustration

Annemarie Elser - Photography (2)

Emma Gannaway - Mixed Media

Elizabeth Gryl - Jewelry

Lauren Kelly - Ceramics and Glass (2)

Michelle Kravec - Photography

Kaylee Kushta - Photography

Megan Lupie - Photography, Digital Art (2)

Samantha Mark - Painting

Alexander Martinez - Drawing and Illustration

Judith Paniagua-Chavez - Digital Art, Photography (2)

Maggie Reynolds - Drawing and Illustration

Hailey Rodden - Photography, Digital Art, Art Portfolio

James Rodden - Photography

Malcolm Rollen - Jewelry

Meghan Stapleton - Ceramics and Glass

Goda Vertelka - Photography

Emily Wroniak - Photography

Honorable Mention Awards (23)

Faith Leilani Barr - Ceramics and Glass

Michael Conderman - Photography

Emmanuelle Copeland - Mixed Media, Design

Emma Ganaway, Photography, Art Portfolio

Celestyna Jarzabek - Drawing and Illustration

Michelle Kravec - Digital Art

Katherine Leinart - Drawing and Illustration

Jacqueline Lestina - Drawing and Illustration

Samantha Mark - Painting

Christina Markovski - Mixed Media

Judith Paniagua-Chavez - Photography, Design

Angelina Pantano - Drawing and Illustration

Samantha Perkins - Photography

Hailey Rodden - Design, Photography, Digital Art

Gabby Senne - Ceramics and Glass

Elizabeth Serna-Sanchez - Mixed Media, Drawing and Illustration (2) 

Lexy Sparano - Ceramics and Glass

Goda Vertelka - Drawing and Illustration

2018 Purdue Jazz Festival Recap

Congratulations to the student musicians in the jazz program from South High School in Downers Grove for an outstanding showing at the 2018 Purdue Jazz Festival.   Three big bands and two chamber ensembles performed and competed with more than 100 high school ensembles from five states in the Midwest.  In addition to receiving a score from the panel of adjudicators in each room, each group received real time formative feedback from each judge in an audio recording.  Having a set of unbiased, professional judges provide a formative “sonic snapshot” is essential to the continuing growth of both individual students and the ensembles. 

Of the five performing ensembles, two groups earned a Division I rating and three groups earned a Division II rating. In addition to the outstanding ensemble performances, 10 students were recognized by the panel of judges for displaying outstanding musicianship either in improvised solos or in their ensemble playing.

“We are proud of these student musicians for their dedication to individual and group excellence in jazz performance.” said director Glenn Williams.  “On and off the stage this student musicians represented our school and community in the finest possible manner.  I’m fiercely proud to travel with these students and have them represent our learning community in such a professional manner.”

Photos and videos, archived on the Mustang Band Booster Web Site by Mr. Brandt, can be located by CLICKING HERE.

2018 Outstanding Soloist/Musician Awards
Morgan Erickson, baritone saxophone
Agne Giedraityte, piano/vocals
Eric Herstowksi, drum set
Belly Kelly, violin/vocals (2)
Matt Leinart, alto saxophone
Josh Nwonye, bass
Matt Perry, trumpet
Derek Reynolds, trumpet
Isaac Rutledge, alto saxophone (2)
Nathan Wiechec, trombone

LUNGEVITY Arts Coffee House

Students and parents from South High School Fine Arts are joining together to raise awareness and funds for lung cancer research by supporting LUNGEVITY.

On Monday, February 5, 2018 from 6:30-8:30 PM in the Cafetorium at South High School, the "LUNGEVITY Coffee House" will feature student performers and visual art work for sale through silent auction.  A $10 donation will be requested at the door, and coffee and assorted dessert treats will be available for purchase with all proceeds from the donation and food sales going to benefit LUNGEVITY.  Parent volunteers from FOFA, Mustang Band Boosters, and Choir Boosters are joining together to convert the DGS Cafetorium into a coffee house environment!

The public is cordially invited to attend this event - come out, support a great cause, hear some fabulous music, bid on some stunning student art work and enjoy some yummy treats in a casual, coffee house atmosphere.  

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

Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp Auditions - February 6, 2018

The Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp (in Michigan) is one of the nation’s leading arts immersion camps.  BLFAC is a non-profit summer school of the arts specializing in two-week arts programs for intermediate and high school students. 

Because there is a strong tradition of highly qualified District 99 students attending Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, the institution actively recruits in our schools.  Additionally, BLFAC sends a representative to our building each February to hear interested students play and sing.  From those ‘mini auditions’ BLFAC frequently awards merit-based scholarships to attend the camp.  This year’s BLFAC scholarship auditions will be held on Tuesday, February 6, 2018 during periods 1-6.  If you are interested in playing or singing a short audition for the BLFAC rep, please express your interest on the sign-up sheet in the Fine Arts Office (room 122).  

What should you be prepared to play or sing in your audition?  Plan to perform 2-3 min of music that you have been working on with a private music teacher, or in class.  This could be an etude, a solo, or a piece of literature that you have really enjoyed studying.  Pick something that shows off your abilities!

The Blue Lake representative will share some basic information with the student to take home to parents.  In the meantime, you are encouraged to check out Blue Lake’s website at www.bluelake.org.  

Many DGS musicians have received significant scholarships to attend Blue Lake as a result of these mini-auditions.  Please consider this fabulous opportunity!

2018 Jazz Cafe

Congratulations to the over 170 student musicians from seven different jazz bands from five different schools that participated in the 2018 Jazz Cafe tonight at South High School in Downers Grove.  The varied repertoire during the course of the evening (26 different compositions) provided the audience with a stunning breadth and depth in jazz performance.

Special kudos to the students and directors from our sender schools for participating this evening:  Daniel Tedeschi and the Eisenhower Junior High School Jazz Band, Keith Carlson and the "Friends of Jazz" from Jefferson Junior High School, Brian Ohlsen and the Lakeview Junior High School Jazz band, and Christine Kaminski and the O'Neill Middle School Jazz Band.  With so many students performing at such a high level, the sonic future burns brightly for Downers Grove and the surrounding communities.  

If you were unable to join us at South HS tonight, view the rebroadcast virtually on the High School Cube by CLICKING HERE.

Images from the 2018 DGS Choirs Middle School Choir Fest

2018 Middle School Choir Festival

The stage and the risers were overflowing with singers tonight in the auditorium at South High School this evening.

Students the South High School Choirs as well as student vocalists from Eisenhower, Lakeview, Jefferson and O'Neill gathered after school and this evening for the 2018 Middle School Choral Festival.  Students participated in sectionals, had a pizza dinner, and presented a short performance.  The night concluded with the massed choirs performing two numbers together.  Special thanks to the students and directors from our articulated sender schools for taking the time to provide this experience for these singers, specifically:  Jennifer Rickert and Jim Rahtjen from Lakeview, Janet Hecht from O'Neill, Alex Buda from Jefferson, and Puja Ramaswamy from Eisenhower.

A special treat for the patrons tonight was a guest performance by NO STRINGS ATTACHED, an student directed ensemble from the University of Illinois-Urbana/Champaign.  We were pleased to welcome back home DGS alum Emily Dahowski as a member of this excellent ensemble.

Based on what we heard and saw tonight, the sonic future continues to be bright for our Mustang Choirs here at South High School.