Wednesday, August 27, 2014

Parents: Still thinking about traveling to NYC to hear the concert and take in the sights?

Have you been contemplating a trip to NYC to hear our concert at Carnegie Hall, and to join other DGN/DGS Band Families in a wonderful weekend of sight-seeing?  If so, we want you to know that registration for the official "Fan Package" - coordinated through Bob Rogers Travel - will close on Friday, September 12th.  



There are currently 59 persons signed up for the Fan Package.  If you'd like to join them ... go here for the specific inclusions, itinerary, and registration instructions:


The Fan Package includes hotel (Sheraton Times Square), tickets to see the NY Philharmonic, tickets to a Broadway musical, tickets to our Carnegie Hall concert, sight-seeing to several major attractions in luxury coaches, a boat cruise, admission to the 9/11 National Memorial & Museum, several wonderful group meals, and much more.

If you are not interested in the Fan Package, but plan to make your own trip to NYC and join us at the concert, individual concert tickets will be available - through the Carnegie Hall Box Office - beginning in January 2015.  We will share more information about that option in late December / early January.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Don't forget to complete the NYC Tour Survey by Friday!

As of tonight, only 80 of 185 tour participants from DGN have completed the survey and expressed their preference in a Broadway musical to attend.  As a reminder, participants have until FRIDAY of this week to complete the survey.

After taking a few moments to familiarize yourself with both shows (see previous post), please go to the following online survey and register your first-choice.


Special Notes:
  • The survey will also ask tour participants to express any special dietary needs, or food allergies, so that we may begin planning appropriately to support those needs.
  • Students should complete the survey no later than Friday, August 29. Students who fail to complete the survey by August 29 will be assigned to one of the two shows by our staff.
  • We will do our absolute best to assign students to their 'first-choice' production, but in the event that we run out of allotted tickets for a particular show, we will honor requests beginning with the time-stamp on the survey response. 

Monday, August 18, 2014

Which Broadway Show Do You Want To See? Sign Up Now!

NYC tour participants will have the opportunity to see several cultural events while in The Big Apple. On Sunday, March 1, students will attend one of two Broadway musicals.  We need to know - now - which of the two musicals is your FIRST choice. There is no guarantee that everyone will be able to attend their first choice, but the reason we are asking students to make a decision now is that it gives us the best chance to secure tickets for their first-choice production.

After taking a few moments to familiarize yourself with both shows (see links below), please go to the following online survey and register your first-choice.


Special Notes:
  • The survey will also ask tour participants to express any special dietary needs, or food allergies, so that we may begin planning appropriately to support those needs.
  • Students should complete the survey no later than Friday, August 29. Students who fail to complete the survey by August 29 will be assigned to one of the two shows by our staff.
  • We will do our absolute best to assign students to their 'first-choice' production, but in the event that we run out of allotted tickets for a particular show, we will honor requests beginning with the time-stamp on the survey response. 


Broadway Musical Options

Aladdin (http://www.broadway.com/shows/aladdin-broadway/)

The beloved story of Aladdin is brought to thrilling theatrical life in this bold new musical. With just one rub of a magic lamp, Aladdin’s journey sweeps you into an exotic world full of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance. It’s an unforgettable experience that includes all the cherished songs from the Academy Award-­winning score and more written especially for Broadway.







Matilda (http://www.broadway.com/shows/matilda/)

Winner of a record-breaking seven Olivier Awards including Best Musical, Matilda is more than a show, it’s a phenomenon. Based on the beloved novel by Roald Dahl,Matilda is the story of an extraordinary girl who dares to take a stand and change her destiny. Matilda features a first-ever Broadway score by Australian musician/comedian Tim Minchin and a darkly comical yet compassionate book by Dennis Kelly. Rob Howell’s scrabble-tile explosion of a set, playfully and colorfully lit by Hugh Vanstone, is the visual counterpart of Dahl’s creative genius ...



Saturday, August 9, 2014

Soloists Named for Carnegie Hall Concert

We are pleased to announce that Kristin Bowers and Peter Wilson have agreed to perform solos with our DGN Bands at Carnegie Hall on March 2, 2015.




Kristin A. Bowers (DGN Band Alumnus), is the principal clarinetist with The United States Air Force Band of Washington, D.C.  A native of Downers Grove, IL, her career in the Air Force began in January 2011.

A graduate of Indiana University, Sergeant Bowers received a Bachelor of Music Degree in Clarinet Performance in 2006.  She continued her education and earned a Master of Music degree in 2008 from Northwestern University.

Before joining the Air Force, Sergeant Bowers was the assistant principal and E-flat clarinetist of the South Bend Symphony in Indiana.  She enjoyed solo performances with the Akademisches Orchester in Leipzig, Germany, the Texas Music Festival Orchestra, the University of Chicago Chamber Orchestra and the Northwestern University Summer Orchestra.  Her teachers include Howard Klug, Steve Cohen and Lawrie Bloom.

Sergeant Bowers will perform as soloist with the DGN Wind Ensemble at Carnegie Hall.



Peter Wilson is an engaging and multifaceted violinist and conductor whose musicianship has been noted as “first-class” by The Washington Post. He is Music Director of the Waynesboro Symphony and Richmond Philharmonic Orchestras. Highly respected throughout the National Capital Region, he has served as a violinist of The White House for nearly a quarter century. He is also Concertmaster of the American Festival Pops Orchestra and has guest conducted such renowned institutions as the National Symphony Orchestra and the National Gallery Orchestra. He holds music degrees from Northwestern University and The Catholic University of America where he earned a Doctor of Musical Arts.

Dr. Wilson began his professional career as Concertmaster of the Walt Disney World Orchestra. For 12 years he was a lecturer at Catholic University where he taught courses in conducting and string techniques while serving as Resident Conductor of the CU Symphony Orchestra. A musician in demand for his high energy, versatility and commitment to authenticity, Dr. Wilson is active as a guest conductor, soloist, recording artist and performance clinician throughout the United States.  He has appeared as violin soloist with such legendary artists as Rosemary Clooney, Michael Feinstein, RenĂ©e Fleming, Bernadette Peters, and composer/conductor John Williams. He is also cofounder and violinist of the acclaimed string duo "Bridging the Gap" (with double bassist Aaron Clay), which has been hailed for “superior arrangements and uncommon musicianship” by The Washington Post.

Having developed a passion for historically informed performances, Dr. Wilson has researched and conducted several restorations of great American works including Gershwin’s original 1924 version of “Rhapsody In Blue” using his own critical edition, and Copland’s “Appalachian Spring” Suite for 13 instruments. In addition, he has championed Vivaldi’s “Four Seasons” Concerti, performing as violin soloist and conductor. He has appeared in international publications including The Strad, which stated “[Wilson] made music that had the stamp of quality.”  Dr. Wilson currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia and is the proud father of three sons.

Dr. Wilson will perform as soloist with the combined DGN Symphonic Band & Concert Band at Carnegie Hall.