Mustang Jazz musicians at the 2015 Purdue Jazz Festival

Congratulation to the student musicians from the Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band and the Jazz Ensemble for their participation in the 2015 Purdue Jazz Festival.  Over 60 middle and high school bands participated in the festival, which celebrated its’ 25^th year of existence this year.

Jazz Workshop, Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Lab Band earned Division I ratings from the panel of judges.  Jazz Lab Band earned the Outstanding Performance award, second place in their room out of 14 bands.  From those 14 bands, junior vocalist Gabrielle Henderson was named the Outstanding Soloist for the entire day, earning a scholarship to Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp for summer study.

Numerous student musicians were cited by the adjudicators for Outstanding Musicianship for their performances today:

Paul Gurnic, trombone

Gabrielle Henderson, piano

Myles Henderson, piano

Jack Herstowski, guitar

Joe Kreidl, baritone saxophone

Tommy Leinart, piano (2) 

Andrew Pawelczyk, drums

Dan Piccoli, alto saxophone

Cassie Plata, tenor saxophone

Max Pokyrznycki, clarinet

Emily Rzeszutko, trumpet

Sam Tedeschi, bass

Melissa Wang, drums

Kat Woltman, bass

“These Mustang musicians represented their school and community with personal and sonic dignity this weekend. “ said Fine Arts Department Chairman Glenn Williams.  “ This was a fabulous jazz immersion experience.”

Jazz Night 2015

Congratulations to the over 170 student musicians from seven different jazz bands from five different schools that participated in the 2015 Jazz Cafe tonight at South High School in Downers Grove.  The varied repertoire during the course of the evening (27 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:  Matt Janus 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 Dave Balika 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.  

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.