DGS Mustang Bands Awards and Highlights
2018
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - 1st Place AA
February - IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 2 perfect scores; 29 Division 1 scores; 7 Division 2 scores
February - Midwest Music Festival - Wind Ensemble Division 1 rating; Wind Symphony Division 1 rating; Wind Symphony Jim Moore "Best Brass" award; Wind Symphony John Paynter "Esprit di Corps" award.
January - Purdue Jazz Fest - 2 ensembles Division 1 rating, 3 ensemble Division 2 rating; Outstanding recognition: Morgan Erickson, baritone saxophone; Agne Giedraityte, piano/vocals; Eric Herstowksi, drum set; Belly Kelly, violin/vocals (2); Matt Leinart, alto saxophone; Josh Nwonye, bass; Matt Perry, trumpet; Derek Reynolds, trombone; Isaac Rutledge, alto saxophone (2), Nathan Wiechec, trombone
2017
October - University of Illinois Marching Band Championships - 1st Place - 6A
October - 37 placements in 2017 ILMEA District 1 band, choir, jazz band and orchestra
September - Marching Band - Wheeling Chicagoland - 1st Place - AA
September - Marching Band - Victor J. Andrew Invitational - 1st Place - AA
September - Marching Band - Kelly Jankowski and Jake Burrows were selected to perform in the 2017 Macy's Great American Marching Band
August - Marching Band - Danny King and Jake Burrows selected to US Army All-American Marching Band
April - Wind Ensemble performed at Chicago Symphony Center.
April - District 99 named as One of the Best Communities for Music Education - blog post
March - ILMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 71 student participants
39 Division 1 ratings
10 Division 2 ratings
5 Perfect Scores
2 "Best in Room"
January - ILMEA All-State Festival - Allie Brandt (11) Bb Clarinet – Honors Orchestra – 1st chair
Kristina Mucha (12) Bb Clarinet – Honors Band – 13th chair
Danny King (11) Bb Clarinet – Honors Band – 14th chair
Susan Zhou (12) Bb Clarinet – All-State Band – 1st chair
Nicolette Cheaure (11) Viola – Honors Orchestra – 14th chair
Brianna Imgruet (12) Trumpet – Honors Jazz Band – 1st part
Adam Zlotnicki (12) Trumpet – All-State Jazz Band – 2nd part
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Piller Chamber Ensemble – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Gabe Coughlin, bass; Bella Kelly, violin; Matt Laczynski, trombone; Brian Piller, tenor saxophone; Erik Seelander, trumpet
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Piccoli Chamber Ensemble – Division I Rating and Judges Award
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Jesse Knight, bass; Andrew Pawelczyk, drums; Dan Piccoli – saxophone; Adam Zlotnicki, trumpet; top student soloist in the room for the day – Dan Piccoli.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Ensemble – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Allie Brandt; clarinet; Jesse Knight, bass; Dan Piccoli – alto saxophone; Brian Piller, tenor saxophone; Adam Zlotnicki, trumpet.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Workshop – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards – Blake Cassani, alto saxophone; Kyle Kotula, trombone; Nate Luczak, trombone.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Lab Band – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Matt Campbell, tenor saxophone; Agne Giedraityte, piano; Sam Guagliardo, trumpet; Harry Kamitani, violin; Isaac Rutledge, alto saxophone.
January - Marching Band - 113 student musicians performed at the Outback Bowl
January - Marching Band - 3rd Place (14) New Years Eve parade competition; 3rd Place (14) Best Crowd Appeal
January - Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony - 3rd Place, Division 1 rating - Outback Bowl festival
January - Jazz Ensemble/Lab Band - 1st Place, Division 1 rating, Grand Champion - Outback Bowl Festival
January - Daniel Piccoli - Outstanding Jazz Soloist - Outback Bowl Festival
2016
December - Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band - 12 students earned ILMEA All-State honors
October - Marching Band - Finals - ISU Marching Band Championships
October - 32 students earned placements in 2016 ILMEA band, choir, jazz band and orchestra - blog
October - Marching Band - 2nd Place (out of 7 in 6A); Best Drum Majors - Illini Marching Band Championships
September - Marching Band - 3rd Place (out of 11 in AAA) - Naperville Central Fall Classic
September - Marching Band - 3rd place (out of 10 in AAA) - Wheaton North Falcon Fest
August - Marching Band - Noah Tunney selected to US Army All-American Marching Band
May - District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - France; Germany
University of Illinois Superstate - Wind Ensemble
IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 33 soloists / ensembles - Division 1 rating (3 perfect scores, 2 "best in room")
IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 12 soloists / ensembles - Division 2 rating
Midwest Music Festival - Wind Ensemble - Division 1 rating (5th out of 13)
Midwest Music Festival - Wind Symphony - Division 1 rating (1st out of 6)
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Ensemble - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Lab Band - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Workshop - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Combo 1 - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Combo 2 - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - 24 students were recognized by the panel of judges for displaying outstanding musicianship either in improvised solos or in their ensemble playing.
2015
December - Fourteen student musicians were selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2015-2016 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Bands, Orchestras, Choirs, Jazz Bands or Vocal Jazz Ensembles.
November - 46 DGS students participated in the ILMEA District Festival at Elmhurst College.
October - Marching Band - Illini Marching Band Championships - 6A - 2nd (6); 3rd overall - total of 22 bands
October - Marching Band - ISU State Marching Band Championship - Prelims 6A - 3rd Place (7)
October - Marching Band - Leah Gurnic selected to US Army All-American Marching Band - performance
September - Marching Band - Chicagoland Marching Band Festival - 2nd Place 3A (8)
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - Finalist - 6th Place (10)
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - Prelims 3A - 3rd Place (7)
March - Wind Ensemble - Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York
March - Wind Symphony - Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York
February - Jazz Lab Band - Purdue Jazz Fest - Outstanding Soloist, Blue Lake Maximum Merit Scholarship: Gabrielle Henderson, Vocalist
February - Jazz Lab Band - Purdue Jazz Fest - Outstanding Performance
2014
November - Percussionist Tyler Jankowski participated in the Great American Marching Band - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
November - 40 DGS students participated in the ILMEA District Festival at Lincoln-Way West High School
October - Marching Band - Illinois Marching Band Championships Class 6A - 2nd caption awards for Best Percussion and Best Visual
September - Sam Tedeschi selected to the US Army All-American Marching Band
2013
October - Marching Band - State Marching Band Championship - Illinois State University - Finalist
2012
District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - Italy; Germany
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Marching Band Championship - 5th in Class 6A
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust- 3rd in Class 3A, 5th Place Overall in Finals
September - Marching Band - Providence Catholic Marching Band Invitational - 1st in Class 2A; Best General Effect
September - Marching Band - Wheaton North Falcon Band Festival - 2nd in Class 2A; Best General Effect and Percussion
September - Josiah Williams selected to the US Army All American Marching Band
2011
October - Marching Band - Illini Marching Band Festival - Class 6A Champions
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band - Finalist
May - Jazz Ensemble - Essentially Ellington, New York - Finalist
May - Wind Ensemble - University of Illinois Superstate
April - Wind Ensemble - ISU Concert Band Festival - 1st in Class 6A
2010
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist
May - Wind Ensemble - University of Illinois Superstate
2008
District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - Czech Republic, Germany
1987
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist
1977
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist
2018
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - 1st Place AA
February - IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 2 perfect scores; 29 Division 1 scores; 7 Division 2 scores
February - Midwest Music Festival - Wind Ensemble Division 1 rating; Wind Symphony Division 1 rating; Wind Symphony Jim Moore "Best Brass" award; Wind Symphony John Paynter "Esprit di Corps" award.
January - Purdue Jazz Fest - 2 ensembles Division 1 rating, 3 ensemble Division 2 rating; Outstanding recognition: Morgan Erickson, baritone saxophone; Agne Giedraityte, piano/vocals; Eric Herstowksi, drum set; Belly Kelly, violin/vocals (2); Matt Leinart, alto saxophone; Josh Nwonye, bass; Matt Perry, trumpet; Derek Reynolds, trombone; Isaac Rutledge, alto saxophone (2), Nathan Wiechec, trombone
2017
October - University of Illinois Marching Band Championships - 1st Place - 6A
October - 37 placements in 2017 ILMEA District 1 band, choir, jazz band and orchestra
September - Marching Band - Wheeling Chicagoland - 1st Place - AA
September - Marching Band - Victor J. Andrew Invitational - 1st Place - AA
September - Marching Band - Kelly Jankowski and Jake Burrows were selected to perform in the 2017 Macy's Great American Marching Band
August - Marching Band - Danny King and Jake Burrows selected to US Army All-American Marching Band
April - Wind Ensemble performed at Chicago Symphony Center.
April - District 99 named as One of the Best Communities for Music Education - blog post
March - ILMEA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 71 student participants
39 Division 1 ratings
10 Division 2 ratings
5 Perfect Scores
2 "Best in Room"
January - ILMEA All-State Festival - Allie Brandt (11) Bb Clarinet – Honors Orchestra – 1st chair
Kristina Mucha (12) Bb Clarinet – Honors Band – 13th chair
Danny King (11) Bb Clarinet – Honors Band – 14th chair
Susan Zhou (12) Bb Clarinet – All-State Band – 1st chair
Nicolette Cheaure (11) Viola – Honors Orchestra – 14th chair
Brianna Imgruet (12) Trumpet – Honors Jazz Band – 1st part
Adam Zlotnicki (12) Trumpet – All-State Jazz Band – 2nd part
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Piller Chamber Ensemble – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Gabe Coughlin, bass; Bella Kelly, violin; Matt Laczynski, trombone; Brian Piller, tenor saxophone; Erik Seelander, trumpet
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Piccoli Chamber Ensemble – Division I Rating and Judges Award
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Jesse Knight, bass; Andrew Pawelczyk, drums; Dan Piccoli – saxophone; Adam Zlotnicki, trumpet; top student soloist in the room for the day – Dan Piccoli.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Ensemble – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Allie Brandt; clarinet; Jesse Knight, bass; Dan Piccoli – alto saxophone; Brian Piller, tenor saxophone; Adam Zlotnicki, trumpet.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Workshop – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards – Blake Cassani, alto saxophone; Kyle Kotula, trombone; Nate Luczak, trombone.
January - Purdue Jazz Festival - Jazz Lab Band – Division I Rating
Outstanding Soloist Awards: Matt Campbell, tenor saxophone; Agne Giedraityte, piano; Sam Guagliardo, trumpet; Harry Kamitani, violin; Isaac Rutledge, alto saxophone.
January - Marching Band - 113 student musicians performed at the Outback Bowl
January - Marching Band - 3rd Place (14) New Years Eve parade competition; 3rd Place (14) Best Crowd Appeal
January - Wind Ensemble/Wind Symphony - 3rd Place, Division 1 rating - Outback Bowl festival
January - Jazz Ensemble/Lab Band - 1st Place, Division 1 rating, Grand Champion - Outback Bowl Festival
January - Daniel Piccoli - Outstanding Jazz Soloist - Outback Bowl Festival
2016
December - Concert Band, Orchestra, Jazz Band - 12 students earned ILMEA All-State honors
October - Marching Band - Finals - ISU Marching Band Championships
October - 32 students earned placements in 2016 ILMEA band, choir, jazz band and orchestra - blog
October - Marching Band - 2nd Place (out of 7 in 6A); Best Drum Majors - Illini Marching Band Championships
September - Marching Band - 3rd Place (out of 11 in AAA) - Naperville Central Fall Classic
September - Marching Band - 3rd place (out of 10 in AAA) - Wheaton North Falcon Fest
August - Marching Band - Noah Tunney selected to US Army All-American Marching Band
May - District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - France; Germany
University of Illinois Superstate - Wind Ensemble
IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 33 soloists / ensembles - Division 1 rating (3 perfect scores, 2 "best in room")
IHSA Solo and Ensemble Contest - 12 soloists / ensembles - Division 2 rating
Midwest Music Festival - Wind Ensemble - Division 1 rating (5th out of 13)
Midwest Music Festival - Wind Symphony - Division 1 rating (1st out of 6)
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Ensemble - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Lab Band - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Workshop - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Combo 1 - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - Jazz Combo 2 - Division 1 rating
Purdue Jazz Fest - 24 students were recognized by the panel of judges for displaying outstanding musicianship either in improvised solos or in their ensemble playing.
2015
December - Fourteen student musicians were selected through competitive audition to participate in the 2015-2016 Illinois Music Education Association All-State Bands, Orchestras, Choirs, Jazz Bands or Vocal Jazz Ensembles.
November - 46 DGS students participated in the ILMEA District Festival at Elmhurst College.
October - Marching Band - Illini Marching Band Championships - 6A - 2nd (6); 3rd overall - total of 22 bands
October - Marching Band - ISU State Marching Band Championship - Prelims 6A - 3rd Place (7)
October - Marching Band - Leah Gurnic selected to US Army All-American Marching Band - performance
September - Marching Band - Chicagoland Marching Band Festival - 2nd Place 3A (8)
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - Finalist - 6th Place (10)
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust - Prelims 3A - 3rd Place (7)
March - Wind Ensemble - Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York
March - Wind Symphony - Performance at Carnegie Hall, New York
February - Jazz Lab Band - Purdue Jazz Fest - Outstanding Soloist, Blue Lake Maximum Merit Scholarship: Gabrielle Henderson, Vocalist
February - Jazz Lab Band - Purdue Jazz Fest - Outstanding Performance
2014
November - Percussionist Tyler Jankowski participated in the Great American Marching Band - Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
November - 40 DGS students participated in the ILMEA District Festival at Lincoln-Way West High School
October - Marching Band - Illinois Marching Band Championships Class 6A - 2nd caption awards for Best Percussion and Best Visual
September - Sam Tedeschi selected to the US Army All-American Marching Band
2013
October - Marching Band - State Marching Band Championship - Illinois State University - Finalist
2012
District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - Italy; Germany
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Marching Band Championship - 5th in Class 6A
September - Marching Band - Lake Park Lancer Joust- 3rd in Class 3A, 5th Place Overall in Finals
September - Marching Band - Providence Catholic Marching Band Invitational - 1st in Class 2A; Best General Effect
September - Marching Band - Wheaton North Falcon Band Festival - 2nd in Class 2A; Best General Effect and Percussion
September - Josiah Williams selected to the US Army All American Marching Band
2011
October - Marching Band - Illini Marching Band Festival - Class 6A Champions
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band - Finalist
May - Jazz Ensemble - Essentially Ellington, New York - Finalist
May - Wind Ensemble - University of Illinois Superstate
April - Wind Ensemble - ISU Concert Band Festival - 1st in Class 6A
2010
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist
May - Wind Ensemble - University of Illinois Superstate
2008
District 99 Honors Concert Band, Jazz Band - Czech Republic, Germany
1987
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist
1977
October - Marching Band - State of Illinois Invitational Marching Band Finalist