Jazz at Fishel Park (@ DGN)

Even though the weather outside was frightful, the sounds inside were delightful as the 5 District 99 jazz bands opened the Downers Grove Park District annual summer concert series.  Each band ended their sonic year on a high note, performing a wide range of challenging repertoire with musicianship and confidence.  A special fond farewell to the DGS Jazz Class of 2014 - we will miss you each day in the music suite next year and beyond!

Thanks to the DG Park District for this collaboration which gives our students this fabulous chance to perform each year.

If you were unable to attend live, please view the archived concert on the High School Cube by following this link:

http://tinyurl.com/D99JazzInThePark2014

2014 Spring Jazz Concert

Performing for an enthused audience, the student musicians in the jazz program at South High School presented their 2014 Spring Jazz Concert tonight.  The Workshop, Combo, Lab Band and Ensemble performed 17 selections spanning a tremendous breadth of jazz repertoire.  Each ensemble performed with enthusiasm and precision, leaving the crowd wanting more as the evening concluded.

The concert is archived for viewing on the High School Cube in case you weren't able to be live in the auditorium tonight.  You can view the performance by clicking here.  Great job tonight Mustang jazz musicians!

D99/NIU Jazz Festival Streaming Live

If you are unable to join us in the auditorium tonight, please watch the concert remotely on the High School Cube.  Featured tonight are all four D99 jazz bands and the renowned NIU Jazz Ensemble directed by Ron Carter.

To view the streaming concert, click here.

NIU/D99 Jazz Festival Tonight!

District 99 is pleased to host - in concert tonight - the Northern Illinois University Jazz Ensemble, annually ranked as one of the top collegiate Jazz Studies programs in the nation.

This evening's concert, which will begin at 7:00 PM in the Downers Grove South High School Auditorium, will feature opening selections by four District 99 bands (DGN Jazz Lab, DGS Jazz Lab, DGN Jazz Ensemble, DGS Jazz Ensemble).

Tonight's concert will feature jazz-great Donald Harrison, who is currently in residence at NIU as a guest-artist.  Harrison, as well as NIU Professor Ron Carter, will be working with District 99 music students in educational clinics this afternoon.

Tickets ($8 adult/$6 student) are available for purchase at the door.  Don't miss this great night of jazz in District 99!

DGS Jazz Brass & Snarky Puppy at the 2014 Purdue Jazz Festival

The Jazz Ensembles from South High School recently attended the 2014 Purdue University Jazz Festival, which featured Grammy Award winning artist Snarky Puppy. Members from the brass sections of both DGS Jazz Bands posed for a photo with the Snarky Puppy brass after attending a master class on brass performance.

24th Purdue Jazz Festival

The Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band and Jazz Chamber Ensemble from South High School in Downers Grove performed and competed at the 2014 Purdue Jazz Festival.  Jazz Ensemble I earned a Division I rating, Jazz Ensemble II earned a Division II rating.  Numerous student musicians from both ensembles were cited by the adjudication panels for their Outstanding Musicianship.

From Jazz Lab Band:  Nikil Chari, drums;  Amanda Field, alto saxophone;  Tyler Jankowski, drums; Noelle Kohnke, drums;  Joe Kreidl, baritone saxophone;  Matt Laczynski, trombone; Jonathan Nelson, bass;  Eric Petro, guitar;  Kat Woltman, bass;  Susan Zhou, piano, and Adam Zlotnicki, trumpet.

From Jazz Ensemble:  Nathan Gresik, trumpet;  Jack Herstowski, guitar;  Brianna Imgruet, trumpet; Cassie Plata, tenor saxophone;  John Shimanek, trumpet and James Weiss, tenor saxophone.

Outstanding Musicianship citations for the Jazz Chamber Ensemble will be announced in the coming week.

In addition to a rating, each ensemble received adjudicator feedback on their performance.  Students also attended a concert, clinics and master classes with the Grammy nominated band Snarky Puppy.  "This is the finest high school jazz festival in the midwest." said director Glenn Williams.  "We are thrilled to participate in this event each year."  For more about jazz at South High School, contact Glenn Williams at gwilliams@csd99.org.

2014 Jazz Cafe

Although the temperatures outside were a bit chilly, the music inside was burnin' at the 2014 Jazz Cafe.  Featuring more than 150 student jazz musicians from 5 different schools in 7 ensembles, this event was a crowd favorite from the opening note to the final closing chord.  Special shout out to the directors and students from the South HS articulated sender schools for making this such a fabulous evening:  Dave Balika, O'Neill Middle School;  Keith Carlson, Jefferson Junior HS;  Brian Ohlsen, Lakeview Junior HS and Matt Janus, Eisenhower Junior High School.