Music

About the Band Program

Band Directors 

Director of Bands: Jessen Smith / jsmith@csd99.org

Assistant Band Director: Gina Wych / gwych@csd99.org

Assistant Band Director: Allessandra West / awest@csd99.org

Jazz Workshop Director: Frank Piekarz / fpiekarz@csd99.org

Band Resources

• Band Handbook
• Private Music Lesson Options
• ILMEA Information

Equipment Requirements

• Woodwinds
• Brass
• Percussion

Performance Ensembles

Curricular Concert Bands 

Our concert bands are the heart of our band program, and all of our band students participate in at least one of our curricular ensembles.

• Beginning Band (9th - 12th graders brand new to band)

• Concert Band (All incoming 9th graders)

• Symphonic Band (10th - 12th graders)

• Wind Ensemble (Selection based on Audition)

All curricular ensembles perform three concerts per year, and will also perform for adjudication at a concert band festival in the Chicagoland area.

Wind Ensemble is available for Honors credit by application/audition.

Trojan Marching Band

All DGN Band members are part of the Trojan Marching Band, the most public - and spirited! - part of our band program. Choir and Orchestra students also make up members of the Drumline and the Color Guard sections. The Trojan Marching Band performs at all home football games, as well as local competitions.

Jazz Bands

The Downers Grove North Band program also boasts three curricular jazz bands: 

• Jazz Workshop (New, and developing jazz students)

• Jazz Lab Band (Developing jazz students)

• Jazz Ensemble (Selection Based on audition - CLICK HERE for 25-26 audition info)

There is a jazz band for EVERY student at DGN! All students participate in a placement audition at the beginning of the school year to determine what jazz band they will play in, but no one is "cut" from the jazz program. The bands feature standard jazz instrumentation and participate in various concerts throughout the school year, as well as the Purdue Jazz Festival in January. Additionally, Jazz Ensemble performs at local venues in the Chicagoland area.

Jazz Ensemble is available for Honors credit by application/audition.

Trojan Pep Band

The Trojan Pep Band is a volunteer band open to all DGN Band members.  This group performs for a selected schedule of Varsity Boys and Girls Basketball home games.  The Trojan Pep Band practices as needed before each home game.  Students with perfect attendance earn the coveted Perfect Pep Band Attendance patch!

Winter Guard

Winter Guard is best described as a visual expression of music through the use of dance and equipment (flags, rifles, and sabers). The show is performed at indoor competitions to recorded music and can be accompanied by props and floor tarps for additional visual appeal to set the scene. This is an auditioned group available to any DGN student—you do not need to be a band member.

Jazz Bands

The DGN Jazz program boasts three curricular jazz bands that meet before and during the school day; Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Workshop. All three bands study a wide range of repertoire, from swing to funk, study the jazz greats, learn about the art of improvisation, and perform in multiple community concerts throughout the year, in addition to off-campus performances at various festivals and well-known jazz venues such as The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, and The Venue.

All students are welcome in the DGN Jazz program. All students participate in a placement audition to determine their band placement. 

Jazz Ensemble

The DGN Jazz Ensemble is comprised of experienced and high-achieving jazz instrumentalists at DGN. Students are placed into this ensemble through an audition each year that determines their literacy and competency as a jazz musician, and the band makes frequent performance appearances at local jazz venues in the Chicagoland area, and at local jazz festivals. 

Students in Jazz Ensemble frequently represent DGN in ILMEA District and All-State ensembles.

Jazz Lab Band

The DGN Jazz Lab Band is comprised of developing jazz instrumentalists at DGN. Students are placed into this ensemble to continue honing their jazz skills and perform in many community concerts each year, as well as local jazz venues in the Chicagoland area, and at local jazz festivals. 

Jazz Workshop

New for the 2024-2025 school year! The DGN Jazz Workshop is for new students to jazz. Students are placed in this ensemble to learn the basic jazz skills such as improvisation and style, and perform in many community concerts each year. 

 

Color Guard and Winter Guard

The Color Guard is considered a section of the marching band. The color guard performs during the pre-game and half-time shows at all home football games. Practices are held twice a week during the Fall and 1-2 times a week throughout the summer. Winter Guard is a competitive indoor season where dance, flags, rifles, and sabres are utilized to create a routine centered around a specific theme. During the winter season, the team travels to various high schools to showcase their talents and compete against other schools. Practices are held twice a week during the winter, with the occasional Saturday practice. You do not have to be enrolled in a band class or any other fine arts class to join the guard. Also, no previous dance or spinning experience is required.

Fundamental Clinics: 

• April 22, 6:30-9 pm
• April 27, 8 am-10:30 am

Routine Learning Session

• April 24, 6:30-9 pm
• April 27, 10:30 am - 1 pm

*You are required to attend a minimum of one fundamentals clinic and one routine learning session. A flag will be lent to you for practice at home.

Auditions

• May 15

Questions? Contact Coach Crystal Zaragoza

About the Orchestra Program

Orchestra Directors 

Orchestra Director: Allessandra West / awest@csd99.org

Assistant Orchestra Director: Robbi Hicks / rhicks@csd99.org

Orchestra Resources

• Orchestra Handbook
• Private Music Lesson Options
• ILMEA Information

Equipment Recommendations

• Recommended strings for Intermediate-Advanced String Musicians

*students can either rent or own their instruments

Ensembles

Concert Orchestra

Concert Orchestra is DGN's non-auditioned ensemble. It performs at four concerts per year. Students in grades 9-12 can participate in Concert Orchestra.

Symphonic Orchestra 

Symphonic Orchestra is an audition-based ensemble at Downers Grove North High School. Students perform at four concerts per year and have the opportunity to participate in one festival/concert per year. The orchestra collaborates with members of the DGN Band program for full ensemble repertoire at selected concerts.

Symphonic Orchestra is available for Honors credit by application/audition.

Jazz Bands 

Our program features three jazz bands: Jazz Workshop, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Ensemble. All three ensembles are curricular classes that meet during zero hour. Bassists are highly encouraged to audition and participate in the Jazz Band program.

Jazz Ensemble is available for Honors credit by application/audition.

Pit Orchestra

About the Choir Program

Director of Choirs: Beth O'Riordan / boriordan@csd99.org

Director of Choirs: Frank Piekarz / fpiekarz@csd99.org

Collaborative Pianist: Valerie Lorimer / vlorimer@csd99.org

Choir Resources

• Choir Handbook
• Voice Lessons Interest Form
• ILMEA Information

Curricular Choirs

Freshman Choir

Eligible Grade Level: 9, Treble Voices Only

Freshman Choir is open to all incoming freshman singers regardless of previous singing experience. This class will focus on developing basic singing skills, including tone development, part singing, proper body positioning for singing, breath support and control, the establishment of a healthy choral tone, and music reading. This group performs at least four times during the school year. Attendance at all events is expected.

Concert Choir

Eligible Grade Level: 9 (Tenor/Bass Voices Only) 10, 11, 12 (All Voice Types) COURSE IS REPEATABLE

Concert Choir is open to all singers in grades 10-12 and 9th grade tenor/bass voices, regardless of previous singing experience.  Instructional emphasis is placed on healthy vocal production, sight reading, tonal memory, singing alone and with others, and balance and blend within a choral ensemble. This group performs at least four times during the school year. Attendance at all events is expected.

Treble Choir

Eligible Grade Level: 11, 12 (Treble Voices Only) COURSE IS REPEATABLE

Treble Choir is the most advanced treble choral ensemble. Placement in Treble Choir is predicated on a placement audition with the choral team. Instructional emphasis is placed on healthy vocal production, sight reading, tonal memory, singing alone and with others, and balance and blend within a choral ensemble. Treble Choir performs repertoire selected from a wide variety of musical styles and historical periods. This group performs at least four times during the school year, in addition to select festivals and community performances outside of the school day. Attendance at all events is expected.

A Cappella Choir 

Eligible Grade Level: 11 (Tenor/Bass Voices) & 12 (All Voice Types) COURSE IS REPEATABLE

A Cappella Choir is the most advanced mixed choral ensemble. Placement in this ensemble is predicated on an audition with the choral team. Instructional emphasis is placed on vocal production, sight reading, tonal memory, singing alone and with others, and balance and blend within a choral ensemble. A Cappella Choir performs repertoire selected from a wide variety of musical styles and historical periods. This group performs at least four times during the school year, in addition to select festivals and community performances outside of the school day. Attendance at all events is expected.

A Cappella Choir Honors  

Eligible Grade Level: 11 (Tenor/Bass Voices) & 12 (All Voice Types) 

Prerequisites: Placement in A Cappella Choir by audition, and permission of instructor. COURSE IS REPEATABLE

This course follows the same curriculum as A Cappella Choir but with increased challenges, performance juries, and recital participation. It is offered for weighted credit, and students must be pre-approved by the course instructor and Fine Arts Department Chairperson. See the course instructor for a pre-approval form.

Co-Curricular Choral Ensembles

In addition to the large choral ensembles, the choral program offers several select ensembles for students who seek added performance opportunities beyond their curricular choral coursework. These groups are smaller than the large ensembles (10-30 members) and sing music that is tailored to these smaller groups. Enrollment is determined by audition. In addition to performing in the various choral concerts, ensembles are invited to sing at school, district, and community activities.

All-Access

All Access is a non-auditioned student-led ensemble that meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Fridays) during 4th period. Students should enroll in "All Access Study Hall." The group is composed of general education students working side-by-side with students with special needs.  For all students, emphasis is placed on musical growth, leadership, and building relationships. Membership requires students to have a 4th hour lunch or study hall. Please see Mrs. O’Riordan if you have questions.

Freshman Ensemble

The Freshman Ensemble is made up of freshman treble voices from Freshman Choir.  Auditions are held in the fall, and rehearsals will begin second semester during the first half of 4th period. The group performs at the North High School Winter Choral Concert and Spring Choral Showcase.

Concert Singers

The Concert Singers are made up of members of the Concert Choir.  The group is designed to challenge Concert Choir members to deepen their musical skills and experience public performance in a smaller group setting.  The study of madrigals, chamber music, and vocal jazz is stressed.  The group meets daily before school at 7:25 am.  Some extra performances are scheduled for this group, especially during the holiday season.

Treble Ensemble

The Treble Ensemble is the most prestigious treble-voice vocal ensemble at North High School and is comprised of Treble Choir members. The group participates in extra performances in the community and school concerts. It meets every day during the second half of 4th period.​

Chamber Choir 

This group is the most advanced mixed-voice vocal ensemble at North High. It is made up of students enrolled in the A Cappella Choir and meets daily during 5th period. The group performs over twenty-five times during the school year for various school and community groups. This ensemble requires a high level of musical ability and commitment.  

*Note: Students who wish to audition for any co-curricular select ensemble must first be enrolled in the corresponding curricular ensemble, and must be initially enroll in the appropriate resource period in order to avoid difficult schedule changes later. After auditions have been completed, students not selected for ensemble participation will be reassigned to a regular lunch/resource.