Friday, December 10, 2021

2021 DGS Winter Fine Arts Festival!

What an amazing experience! The 2021 DGS Winter Fine Arts Festival was a wonderful success! Thank you to all in attendance and to all who helped make this monumental event possible.  Season's Greetings to all!






















  Our 2021 All State Musicians!




Thursday, December 09, 2021

DGS Art Students Featured in 99 Seconds!


Our DGS Art students were recently featured in the publication, 99 Seconds. This short featurette highlights the mural they created as a part of our revitalization of the Fine Arts Department.

Here is the link!

Thank you to Kat O'Truk, Amanda Zall and these wonderful artists!  


Wednesday, December 08, 2021

DGS Choir Students Giving Back to the Community

Thank you to our music students for giving back to the community. Choir has been busy this week. In addition to preparing for tomorrow's Fine Arts Festival, they performed for the Kiwanis Club at Emmett's Downtown on Tuesday. Tonight, 43 students in 3 groups sang for Kensington International at the Hinsdale Golf Club for a charity event. Bravo DGS choir students!













Sunday, December 05, 2021

A stellar DGS Theatre performance of the Rose and the Rime!

That's a wrap! The Rose and the Rime was an incredible experience full of laughter and  suspense. The DGS Studio Theatre was packed for all three shows. Congratulations to these very talented students, Mrs. Rubin and Mr. Haywood, and everyone that made this great production happen!













  

Friday, December 03, 2021

Fine Arts Festival and Poinsettia Fundraiser is Almost Here!


The DGS Fine Arts Department thanks all of you for your support ahead of our Fine Arts Festival on Thursday December 9th. We have just about sold out the Performing Arts Center!

*** VERY important*** If you have not had a chance to show your support for this event by taking part in our Poinsettia Fundraiser, there is still time. You can place your orders by following these simple steps:
1. Use this LINK https://csd99.revtrak.net/band-boosters/dgs-band-boosters/ to access the DGS Band Boosters webstore. You can also access it through the District 99 Webstore home page. Click on the DGS Band Boosters from there.
2. Complete the form, double checking to make sure that all information is accurate.
3. List the amount that you are paying in the space provided. Each poinsettia is $15 advanced purchase ($20 on the night of the concert)
4. List student name (if applicable) as well as the items you are purchasing (ex. 1 Poinsettia)
5. Click 'Add to Cart'
6. Follow the site as it leads you through the payment information.
7. Done!
All purchased poinsettias will benefit the DGS Fine Arts Department. They will adorn the Performing Arts Center and Learning Commons on December 9th and be made available for pickup at the conclusion of the festivities.

Monday, November 29, 2021

DGS Winter Arts Festival is One Week Away!

 



This is another reminder and invitation to the Winter Fine Arts Festival on December 9th, 2021. 
It is imperative that DGS Band, Choir, Orchestra, and Art families take the time to reserve tickets to this event as quickly as possible.  They are free, but the space is limited. We anticipate a big turnout, so take a moment to read the details below and we hope to see you next week!!

This festival style occasion will first feature beautiful works of art from our DGS students. These works will be displayed in our gorgeous learning commons and be accompanied by group music performances that will add to the festive mood of this occasion. Following the opening act, you'll be treated to a re-imagined, immersive concert in our brand new Performing Arts Center. Festival doors will open at 5:30 with concert doors opening at 6:30pm. 
We feel very fortunate to host this special event for all of you. We are also honored to have the opportunity to celebrate the deeper connections we share through art, music, and self-expression.  

Event Tickets
FREE advanced tickets are going on sale now.  1100 tickets will be made available on a first come first serve basis. The link to access tickets can be found HERE
The process is straightforward, but just in case you access instructions on how to purchase and download the tickets using your phone and email by following this LINK
If there are any questions or concerns about ticketing, please reach out to Jennifer Martinez at jmartinez@csd99.org.

Poinsettia Fundraiser
In addition we hope you will continue to support our Fine Arts Community by contributing to the annual poinsettia fundraiser. You can place your orders by following these simple steps:

1. Use this LINK to access the DGS Band Boosters webstore.  You can also access it through the District 99 Webstore home page. Simply click on the DGS Band Boosters from there.

2. Complete the form, double checking to make sure that all information is accurate.  
3. List the amount that you are paying in the space provided. Each poinsettia is $15 advanced purchase ($20 on the night of the concert)
4. List student name (if applicable) as well as the items you are purchasing (ex. 1 Poinsettia)
5. Click 'Add to Cart'
6. Follow the site as it leads you through the  payment information. 
7. Done!

All purchased poinsettias will adorn the Performing Arts Center and Learning Commons on December 9th and be made available for pickup at the conclusion of the festivities. Questions about the poinsettia fundraiser should be directed to Mrs. Tracy Kenyeri at tracy.kenyeri@kenyeriengineering.com.

Once again, thank you for supporting the Arts here at Downers Grove South High School. We look forward to seeing you all on December 9th!  

Sincerely Yours,

Jerry Lowrey

Monday, November 22, 2021

DGS 2021-2022 ALL STATE MUSICIANS

 


10 student musicians from South High School in Downers Grove have been selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2021-2022  Illinois Music Education Association All-State Bands, Orchestras, and Choirs.  Student musicians submitted video auditions which were evaluated by a panel of adjudicators. The top placing scores participated in the District Music Festival, held on November 20, 2021.  The top placing scores from District Festivals around Illinois earned a nod as All-State musicians. 

“To not only complete such a rigorous audition process, but to also be placed among the top musicians in the entire state of Illinois is a testament to the work, dedication, and sacrifice that these students have made,” said Fine Arts Department Chair Jerry Lowrey.  "Everyone here in the South High School Community is proud to have these wonderful students represent us at the Illinois Music Educators Conference in Peoria Illinois in January of 2022. Thank you all for your inspiration!"

Andrew Brandt                 Jazz Band, Jazz Trombone
James Clemens           Jazz Band, Jazz Bass Trombone
Luidas Davies              Orchestra, Violin
Maija Flannery             All-State Chorus, Soprano 1
Philip Okunev              Orchestra, Violin
Katie Opila                   Band, Trombone
Kassem Osman           All State Chorus, Tenor 1
Ryan Rosignal             Honors Chorus, Tenor 1
Olivia Roti                    Orchestra, Viola
Gwendolynne Royle    All-State Chorus, Soprano 2

South High Students Recognized at the 2021ILMEA District Festival!


Congratulations to the DGS student-musicians selected to perform in the Illinois Music Education Association District Festival. Students from across the Chicago region were selected by competitive audition to participate in day-long educational workshops with highly respected guest conductors, and present a culminating concert for family, friends, and educators.

Thank you to the faculty, staff and Music Education majors at Elmhurst University for welcoming our students to campus as the Festival Host site.





SENIOR BAND & ORCHESTRA WINDS & PERCUSSION

Katherine Opila (12) Trombone (Band)

Becca Snouffer (9)         Bb Clarinet (Band)

Kaitlyn Steffgen (12) Bb Clarinet (Band)


SENIOR CHORUS

Kaleb Ancell (12)           Tenor II

Samantha Bachara (12)      Soprano II

Gianna Caponigro (10)          Soprano II

Adreana Duarte (12)         Soprano I

Maija Flannery (10)         Soprano I

Mina Kostic (12)         Soprano I

Zach Mead (12)         Bass I

Maximilian O'Connor (12) Bass II

Charles O'Neill (12)         Tenor I

Kassem Ossman (12) Tenor I

Abigail Parson (11)         Alto I

Grace Rerucha (10) Alto II

Ryan Rosignal (12)         Tenor I

Gwendolynne Royle (12) Soprano II

Jordan Stewart (12) Alto II

Patricia Suchanek (10)         Alto I

Delaney Turner (11) Alto I


SENIOR INSTRUMENTAL JAZZ 

Owen Anderson (11) Guitar (Jazz Band I)

Andrew Brandt (12)         Trombone  (Jazz Combo)

Lucas Ciocan (10)         Tenor Sax  (Jazz Band I)

James Clemens (12) Bass Trombone  (Jazz Band I)

Zach Gresik (11)         Alto Sax (Jazz Band II)

Sam Wleklinski (12) Trumpet  (Jazz Band II)


SENIOR ORCHESTRA STRINGS

Erika Andreshak (9) Viola

Liudas Davies (11)         Violin

Leka Davis (12)         Cello

Matthew Lin (9)         Cello

Audrey Lin (11)         Cello

Colin McLaughlin (11) Cello

Philip Okunev (12)         Violin

Emelia Parson  (11) Cello

Olivia Roti (12)         Viola


SENIOR VOCAL JAZZ

Nathan Frewen (12) Tenor (Vocal Jazz Ensemble II)

Faith Nelson (12)         Alto (Vocal Jazz Ensemble I)

Briyana Zeigler (10) Alto (Vocal Jazz Ensemble II)