2 Blueprint
NEWS
April 13, 2017
Wind Ensemble blown away by performance in Orchestra Hall By Sydney Hall, Reporter On Friday April 21, the DGS wind ensemble will be performing their very own concert that will take place at Orchestra Hall in downtown Chicago. The concert will start at 11:25 a.m. and admission is free Unlike most concerts performed in school auditoriums, this concert will take place in a historic and famous venue known for its scenery and famous performances. Band Director Gregory Hensel explained why the concert will take place in this setting and what it means for the performance itself. “We’re performing for this festival in the suitcase center-which is really cool because it’s where the Chicago Symphony Orchestra performs. It’s arguably one of the coolest venues in the world to play. It’s great that we get to do this, but it's also another learning opportunity for us just to get better,” Hensel said. Junior flutist Olivia Porcaro talked about how she is looking forward to this opportunity and why it is so unique. “Performing in big cities is always fun for us because we get to be in a really pretty venue that a lot of famous orchestras have performed, so it’s cool to be on their stage,” Porcaro said. Performing in a location like this has its ups and downs. Senior French horn player Nick Nuccio described how the professional venue is something that will affect the band’s perfor-
mance. “The concert venue is said to be one of the best music halls in our area, so we will sound differently than how we have practiced.” Nuccio said. Aside from the location, junior Claire Burton explained how this concert is going to be much different than previous concerts. “This concert has more complex pieces than any of our other concerts. There are plenty of solos for people that are already well practiced and will sound great at the concert,” Burton said. Not only will the music be a unique part of this performance, but there will also be judges and The wind ensemble is the highest concert band at DGS. It consists of a variety of different instruments and clinicians watching and musicians. critiquing the band as Photo by Claire Pikul they perform. In addition to the performance, the it takes a long time for everyone to “I have a lesson once a week with an band will have time to work with the really gel and start getting used to outside teacher who specializes in my clinicians and their feedback. playing with each other,” Hensel said. instrument to help me practice and With a performance this big, the Senior Nick Nuccio explained the perfect my parts in our new music,” students and directors have been types of practice the band undergoes. Burton said. putting forth hours of dedication and “We practice our music inside class Hensel explained how this concert is their own time to make this a success- and at home. The week before a cona stepping stone and learning environful concert. Hensel talked about how cert, we do run-throughs in the audito- ment for next year's wind ensemble. long the band has been performing for rium to get an idea of sound reverb for “I like to tell the kids every year this this special concert. the concert,” Nuccio said. year’s wind ensemble is just preparing “We start in August in the beginning Aside from school practices, some for next year's wind ensemble to be of the year. Every year you kind of performers such as Claire Burton even better. It’s just a constant cycle have to build a new band and everydedicate even more time to make sure to try and improve every year,” Hensel one has to learn to play together, and they are well prepared for the concert. said.
DGN senior receives esteemed Journalist of the Year award “Abbe’s dedication to journalism sets her apart from the other nominees. She works hard to write great content and protect not only her’s, but everyone’s First Amendment rights. She’s knowledgable, but eager to keep learning anything she can,” White said. A drive to learn, White explained, permitted Murphy to shine in a
my community and the members in it with every article I write. I never want to stop learning new things and This past March DGN student and having the ability to share it with Omega Editor-in-Chief Abbe Murphy others,” Murphy said. was named the 2017 Illinois JournalThis drive to learn has aided Murist of the Year. Greeted by her family, phy in coming as far as she has in Omega staff, DGN English Departher journalism experience. Murphy ment chair, DGN principal and IJEA began her journey with the Omega (Illinois Journalism Education Assoas early as her sophomore year ciation) representatives, and Omega adviMurphy received a $300 sor Elizabeth Levin prize, a chance to compete elaborated on what in the Journalist of the she saw as challengYear national competition es for such a young and the top honor awardjournalist. ed by the IJEA for Illinois “When she started, high school journalists. I worried about her High school students because she was a from a variety of schools sophomore in a room around the state of Ilfilled with confident linois with a drive for seniors, but she is journalism apply to be socially graceful and recognized by this title. naturally curious. Murphy and the other She recognized her applicants were required knowledge deficits to submit an online and was quick to ask DGN Senior Abbe Murphy poses with administration after receiving her award. for help. Abbe still portfolio, self-analytical essay, resume and letters Photo Courtesy District 99 Twitter Page focuses on improveof recommendation to the statewide competition of this ment. Other students competition. When all the applicants magnitude. When Murphy was asked who have achieved as much as Abbe had completed these requirements, about her favorite parts of being a has might grow defensive about their the Journalism Education Associahigh school journalist, her response achievements and stop taking risks. tion judged the portfolios and eventu- followed a similar pattern that That isn’t Abbe,” Levin said. ally presented Murphy as the winner. valued the learning aspect of journalProving her abilities throughout With so many applicants Co-Ediism. her sophomore year, Murphy was tor-in-Chief of the DGN Omega Nata“The best thing about being a jourthen promoted to the Editor-in-Chief lie White, shared what she thought nalist is the opportunity for constant position her junior year. Murphy set Murphy apart from the other learning. I am in love with the fact reflected on the challenges this new applicants around Illinois. that I learn more and more about leadership role came along with. By Jayna Bardahl, Print News Editor
“We had a very small staff composed of members with almost no journalistic experience. This only added to the difficulty that already came with a new position of leadership,” Murphy said. Despite her challenges Abbe has rose to the occasion and completely dominated her role as a leader for the DGN Omega. Viewing Abbe as one of her biggest inspirations, White explained how Abbe has shined in her leadership abilities this year. “Abbe is extremely passionate about all aspects of journalism, and passes that onto the whole staff. This year, she has really pushed the staff to keep thinking bigger and better. She never says that any idea is too big to handle and loves to watch others succeed in their hard work,” White said. Murphy’s passion is a quality that has rubbed off on all the individuals she has worked with. Levin explained the sense of pride she has in Murphy since she received this award. “[I’m] just so happy for her. She worked extraordinarily hard, and she definitely deserves the recognition,” Levin said. Murphy is the first student journalist from District 99 to ever win this award. She hopes to continue to thrive in her journalism abilties as she continues to study for a journalism major in college.