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)

Friday, November 19, 2021

December 9th Winter Fine Arts Festival!!

On behalf of our students, staff, and administration, we would like to cordially invite you to our Winter Fine Arts Festival on December 9th, 2021. 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 at 3:00pm TODAY.  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!  

Tuesday, November 16, 2021

DGS Jazz Concert Tonight!

TONIGHT will be our first Jazz concert of the year. Please join us in the brand new Performing Arts Center (PAC) at 7:00 PM for a FREE night of great music. This concert will feature (in the following order): Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, Jazz Ensemble and our guest artist, The BackBeat. 


The BackBeat is made up of almost entirely DGS Alum. We are excited and honored to have this great group of musicians performing with our students. 

Here is a link to the virtual program: 

and if you can't join in person, here is the link to the livestream!   https://www.youtube.com/dgsfinearts

Congratulations to our ILMEA Jazz Participants!

Congratulations once again to all of the DGS students that participated in the District 1 ILMEA Honors Jazz Festival!


Nathan Frewen, Faith Nelson, and Briyana Zeigler rehearse and perform during the ILMEA Vocal Jazz Festival at Oak Lawn Community High School on Saturday November 14th!






Owen Anderson, Andrew Brandt, Lucas Ciocan, James Clemens, Zach Gresik, and Sam Wleklinski represented District 99 and Downers Grove South High School in the District Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo under the direction of Tom Garling, Chris Madsen, and Michael Stryker.



Wednesday, November 10, 2021

Drawing and Painting 1 Character Design!!

Ms. Murphy’s Drawing and Painting 1 class has just completed their character design unit!  Students each developed an original character, rendering them in watercolor (background) and ink pen (character).


The students had total creative freedom, and as a result, we ended up with this wonderful, unique batch of characters! Not one like the other. 



The students featured here are: Leah Munson (grade 9), Deven DeNava (grade 11), Liam Rodriguez (grade 9), Payson Horn-Salerno (grade 12), and Oliver Norkus (grade 12).







DGS Art Students Featured at the Annual Downers Grove Library Show!

Congratulations to the DGS Art Students that have work selected for the Annual Downers Grove Library Show!  
The work selected is from a variety of Fine Arts Classes at Downers Grove South and North High Schools.
This show can be viewed during library hours throughout the month of November (2nd - 30th)
Please take some time to view the student work!!




Monday, November 08, 2021

Wind Ensemble Invitational December 9th, 2021

Tomorrow night (11/9) the DGS Band program will be hosting our second of three Fall Concerts in the brand new South High Performing Arts Center. This concert will feature students from O'Neill Middle School and Lakeview Junior High. Doors will open at 6:40 PM. Below are a few notes about the event.

Virtual Concert Programs:
This year we are transitioning away from print programs in favor of a digital program. QR codes will be posted near the entrance of the auditorium for you to scan and pull up the program on your smart device. You may also follow this link to pull up the program in advance of arriving:

COVID Safety:
In accordance with local and school mandates, masks must continue to be worn at all times when not eating or drinking indoors. Please remember to wear a mask when you arrive. We will not be having our typical concert refreshments afterwards, but we do encourage you to enjoy the commons space and reconnect with friends, post-concert.

YouTube Livestream Link:
If you have friends or family that are unable to attend, please direct them to the livestream link on our DGSFineArts YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDHw_AsCyPe6ixr5rQ7kI5Q

Thursday, November 04, 2021

D99 Visual Artists Honored at Chicagoland 4x5


Dubbed the "largest small show in the nation," and dedicated to the memory of Fremd High School art teacher Lew Hubbard, the Chicagoland 4x5 High School Art Exhibition showcases student and faculty artist and forges connections and provides opportunities for student artists through a myriad of corporate and collegiate sponsors. All of the work in the exhibition must be within a 4x5 inch framework.

40+ schools submitted approximately 1,000 pieces of artwork in nine media categories for the competitive show. A historical gallery of winning artwork may be accessed HERE. 2021 winning artwork will be updated in the future. 

DGN Fine Arts and DGS Fine Arts is pleased to announce, after competitive judging, 18 District 99 visual artist entries were tapped as award recipients:

Sculpture
Aiden Robinson - DGN - 2nd Place
Rylee Fox - DGN - Honorable Mention

Digital Photography
Sarisa Chulanon - DGN - 3rd Place
Abby Jongsma - DGS - Honorable Mention
Gretchen Nelson - DGN - Honorable Mention
Juliana Gomien - DGN - 
Honorable Mention
Matthew Poe - DGN - Honorable Mention
Juliana Rossi - DGS - Honorable Mention
Natalie Yoch - DGN - Honorable Mention

Printmaking
Cassandra Rapp - DGS - Honorable Mention

Relief
Elena Tomchek - DGN - 1st Place
Maddie Pearson - DGN - 2nd Place
Charlie Michaels - DGN - 3rd Place
Eva Conti - DGN - Honorable Mention

Drawing
Ohana Jeron - DGN - 1st Place
Ali Hackett - DGN - Honorable Mention

Faculty
Ms. Amy Bernard - DGN - Honorable Mention
Ms. Robyn Bican - DGN - Honorable Mention


The 4x5 opens on Wednesday, November 10, 2021 at Oswego High School at 6:30 PM.  The opening features a reception and an awards ceremony at 7:30 PM.