This is your brain on improvisation.....

Important research being done on the creative process and the brain.  This great TED talk begins to unveil the important of the arts and creativity and how it interfaces with brain developments and activity.

2012 Fall Jazz Concert

Tonight the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble presented a fabulous fall concert.  In total, the three bands performed 17 selections, ranging from Ellington to Basie, from Mobley to Golson.      

Just over 60 jazz musicians performed tonight, with close to half of them taking an improvised solo during the course of the evening.  Special congratulations and kudos to Jazz Workshop conductor Scott Oliver for doing such a great job on his first concert as a director in District 99.  

D99 Jazz Musicians team up to support D99 Foundation

Students from the North and South Jazz Combos joined forces on Monday night at Tom & Eddie's to perform at a District 99 Education Foundation fundraiser.  The students coordinated their performance collaboratively, and demonstrated through their music the great spirit of District 99.

Thanks are extended to each of these students for their volunteerism in support of District 99!

2012 IMEA District 1 Jazz Festival

South HIgh School in Downers Grove was well represented in the 2012 IMEA District 1 Jazz Festival on Saturday, November 10, 2012 at Lincoln-Way Central High School.  Thirteen student musicians from DGS auditioned into the combo and the four jazz bands.  Each ensemble rehearsed during the day with a guest conductor and presented a concert to culminate their learning.  

Just over 100 students from more than 40 high schools participated in this event.  Including the student musicians from North High School, more than 25% of the total student participation in the festival was from District 99.  Literally 1 in every 4 students at the festival is from either South or North High Schools.  

It was a great day indeed to be a Mustang Musician!  Special congratulations to the students below for their participation in the festival this year:

Nathaniel Gresik (11) – trumpet
Sean Hux (12) – tenor sax
Tommy Leinart (9) – piano
Joe Perillo (12) – drums
Chris Reusz (12) – alto sax
John Shimanek (11) – trumpet
Christian Siki (11) – alto sax
Danny Tedeschi (12) – trombone
Michael Tegeler (9) - trombone
Josiah Williams (12) – trombone
Ian Williams (12) – piano
Michal Witek (12) – guitar
Julia Wood (12) - bass

South HS Jazz Ensemble at the 2012 Chicago Jazz Festival

The band backstage just before performing.

The saxophone section getting set up for the gig.

Hundreds of listeners gathered at the Young Lions stage.

The South High School Jazz Ensemble performed for hundreds of audience members today at the 2012 Chicago Jazz Festival.  Performing at the Young Lions stage, the ensemble played a broad program including Ellington, Basie, Rollins and much, much more.  The performance ended with a rousing standing ovation from the patrons in attendance.  The group represented District 99 and South High School with professional poise and sonic precision.

DGS Jazz Ensemble at Chicago Jazz Festival

The Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove has been invited to perform at the prestigious Chicago Jazz Festival.  The band will perform on Sunday, September 2, 2012 from 2:40-3:25 PM on the Young Lions Stage.   For more information on Sunday scheduling, go to this link:  Sunday, September 2, 2012 Chicago Jazz Festival Schedule .  Thanks in advance for supporting your Mustang Jazz Musicians through your attendance at this event.

Jazz Lab Band @ Mullen's with Tom Garling

The South High School Jazz Lab Band culminated their year of musical growth with a performance at Mullen's in Lisle, opening for the fabulous Pete Ellman Big Band.  Additionally, the students got to perform with internationally renowned artist Tom Garling.  Mr. Garling performed his comission Fat Chance with the band and ended the evening with a rousing rendtion of Filthy McNasty.  To top it all off, Mr. Williams even dusted off his trombone (literally) and sat in on the first set with the Pete Ellman Big Band.  Special thanks to the students and parents in the band for their dedication throughout this year, manifested last night in coming out for a a "gig" after school had officially ended.  The sonic future looks bright for the Mustang jazz musicians!

South HS Jazz Ensemble at the 2012 Chicago Jazz Festival

The Jazz Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove has been invited to perform at the prestigious Chicago Jazz Festival during Labor Day weekend in September of 2012.   While the specific date and stage location has yet to be determined, we are pleased and proud to accept this invitation.  Stay tuned to this blog for specific performance information in the coming weeks.  Congrats and kudos to the student musicians in this fine ensemble!

2012 Jazz at Fishel Park

Enjoy the performance of the South High School Jazz Ensemble at the May 22, 2012 Jazz in Fishel Park performance.

South HS Jazz Ensemble at the 2012 IMEC

Oop, bop, sh bam, featuring Dr. Bob Lark, DePaul University

Oop Bop Sh Bam from QMaguire on Vimeo.