2 Blueprint
NEWS
Dec. 16, 2016
DGS music department molds new ILMEA musicians other high schools that have students who are striving for the same result. All students are required to go through the same long audition process, beginning the day after Columbus Day. Fine Arts Department Chair Glenn Williams explained this process briefly. “One thing [ILMEA] This years twelve ILMEA recognized musicians: Allie Brandt, sponsors is a district Danny King, Kristina Mucha, Susan Zhou, Matt Burrows, Van- festival where they essa Copeland, Sean McCarthy, Lydia Walsh-Rock, Nicolette have jazz, band, choir Cheaure, Brianna Imgruet, Adam Zlotnicki, and Grace Zieman and orchestra. S o Photo courtesy of Fine Arts blog students audition for that. From district, By Maddie Arceo, they qualify for state, and if they Online Photo Editor qualify for All-State, then they go to the All-State convention in January,” This year, 12 musicians from DGS Williams said. were awarded All-State recognition Despite the highly selective process, from the Illinois Music Education AsDGS is no stranger to being successsociation, more commonly known as fully recognized within the ILMEA ILMEA. programs. For the past 10 years, an The students selected this year are average of around 50 students that Allie Brandt, Danny King, Kristina participate in either band, choir or Mucha, Susan Zhou, Matt Burrows, orchestra have been selected per year Vanessa Copeland, Sean McCarthy, to represent DGS in the district level Lydia Walsh-Rock, Nicolette Cheaure, of ILMEA. From this talented group, Brianna Imgruet, Adam Zlotnicki, select students are then chosen to and Grace Zieman. These students participate at an All-State level. are a part of either the band, choir or Lydia Walsh-Rock is among one orchestra program at DGS and were of the select DGS students being selected to perform with students awarded as an ILMEA All-State from several Illinois high schools at Honors Choral Musician. Walsh-Rock the All-State convention in January. was evaluated on her pitch accuracy, The process of getting selected for rhythm and musicality during the such an honor is rigorous and highly choir audition and received high selective. DGS is among around 100 enough scores in all three to be picked
as top musician in the audition room. every year. For me personally, all the Walsh-Rock explained how important work we do in choir has helped me to this award is to her. become a better musician. I’m sure “I’m mostly excited for making the the same could be said for the rest of All-State choir because of the festival the band and orchestra students as in January. I can’t wait to sing with well,” Walsh-Rock said. and meet other people from across the Being recognized at an All-State state and perform for them. It’s been level is an award reachable by any a goal of mine in high school to be setalented musician, no matter what lected for the All-State choir, and I’m school they come from. Even though excited to have achieved it,” Walshthis award is shared by many, WilRock said. liams explains what sets DGS apart The All-State festival is the ultifrom other school’s programs. mate honor offered by ILMEA and is “We’ve got great students, first off. an opportunity that will be beneficial I think there’s great students everyin a student’s music career. Williams where, but that’s the fundamental explained how this is more than just a piece. And then we’ve got a commutypical concert. nity and a school who support the “The biggest benefit is you get to go arts. And then we’ve got a faculty who rehearse music with a guest conducbelieves in this process. So they’re tor. They hire college professors, committed to this purpose, and that people of national stature, and they kind of reflects on the kids too,” Wilcome in, and you work with other liams said. students who are inspired, with an The four-day All-State festival will inspirational conductor, to create a be held Jan. 25-28, and the twelve concert,” Williams said. DGS musicians are excited to preform Hearing a different perspective alongside other ILMEA students at from a professional conductor could this time. be what is most beneficial to an aspiring musician. However, in order to be given that opportunity a student must at first be given a strong base of training, which is offered by the DGS Fine Arts program. “All the music faculty from DGS is one of the The DGS band preforming at the disrict one festival, where largest reasons why ILMEA recognized students were first selected. such a high number of Photo courtesy of Fine Arts blog students are selected for All-State
Leaving on a high note: Coster conducts final chorus By Addyson Wesolowski, Online Opinions Editor As the choir finishes their final note and the audience’s applause fills the gym, Laura Coster turns to face the crowd for her final time as the conductor of the Hallelujah chorus. After thirty four years of teaching music, Coster is retiring from her long held position at DGS. “I have really enjoyed my 34 years at Downers Grove South. Each year brings the excitement of new students and the continuing of relationships with former students. Every day I enjoy coming to school because I know that I will have the honor of making music with students that want to do the same. I absolutely love to hear them develop from freshman year through their senior year. So much happens and the long term relationship is perhaps what I love most about the job. Teenagers are so much fun, and I love their energy and excitement for their future. I can’t help but enjoy them as I watch them fall deeper in love with music,” Coster said. Coster’s enthusiasm of the arts leaves her students saddened by her retirement but forever grateful for the lessons she has taught them. “I’m really sad about Ms. Coster’s retirement, she really taught us a lot of musical skills. She was a really fun teacher,” senior Jenna Riadi said.
Although students are disheartened by Coster’s retirement, their excitement for the annual Holiday Concert is not masked. Senior Kayla Corral talks about how she enjoys this concert as well as how she is very excited to sing a song she performed her freshmen year. “What I enjoy about this concert is learning a bunch of different songs and also learning the choreography and being able to kind of have fun with it. [I] also like being able to improve my learning skills that have to do with choir. I am singing the song ‘Noel’ that I sang my freshmen year, too, so that is really cool,” Corral said. After years of teaching, Coster reflects on her final year here at DGS. “[I will miss] the kids and rehersing music together. I like the process of learning and seeing them understand how to communicate the text through the musical details,” Coster said. Although this concert has been around for a very long time, many other traditions have continued over the years. The Winter Art Show, for example, has always been held on the same night as the Holiday Concert. “[The Winter Art Show] contributes to the festival atmosphere because when you walk in there is an art show and then there are 1,000 people in the gym. So it’s the combination of
one of the few things at South High the two things that make it kind of School that has happened every year of special. It has always been at the that the school has been open so that same time and in the same location, just for that purpose of a larger scale kind of makes it unique,” Williams said. celebration of the arts,” Glenn Williams, fine arts Department Chair said. Along with all DGS choirs, this concert showcased the District 99 Orchestra and the winds and percussion bands. Winds includes all string instruments and percussions includes instruments such as bass drum and tambourine. DGS top two bands; winds ensemble and winds symphony performed as well. The holiday concert originated back in 1964 when there was a singular Downers Grove High School, currently known as DGN. Now the concert is performed at South as well. The Holiday Concert has been a long held tradition at DGS. “When it moved here Chior teacher Laura Coster will miss the relationships she has the tradition just start- formed with students throughout her years at DGS upon her ed here, but we took upcoming retirement. on our own personality Photo by Addyson Wesolowski in it. This is probably