The DGN Choir program is comprised of four curricular choir classes at North High School, located in Downers Grove, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. There are approximately 175 musicians enrolled in the choir program each year, singing in our Freshman Choir, Concert Choir, Treble Choir and A Cappella Choir. Four formal concerts are presented each year - a Fall Concert, Holiday Mosaic Concert (December), a Winter Concert and the Spring Choral Showcase. In addition, the A Cappella Choir performs alongside our Wind Ensemble at the end-of-year Graduation Concert. Each curricular choir has one select vocal ensemble auditioned from its membership. These select ensembles regularly perform in the community, particularly during the holiday season.
In addition to participating in the curricular choir classes and extracurricular vocal ensembles, many of our choral students audition to earn honor choir placement in the Illinois Music Education Association District and All-State ensembles. Additionally, significant numbers of our students choose to enroll in private voice lessons as an additional way to augment their vocal study. Students also enjoy the opportunity to participate in our annual DGN Vocal Festival held in February each year, and the annual DGN Musical which takes place in March.
The choirs travel regularly, and have had the opportunity to travel and perform for audiences in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Orlando, Nashville, Minneapolis, San Diego, and Ireland.
In addition to participating in the curricular choir classes and extracurricular vocal ensembles, many of our choral students audition to earn honor choir placement in the Illinois Music Education Association District and All-State ensembles. Additionally, significant numbers of our students choose to enroll in private voice lessons as an additional way to augment their vocal study. Students also enjoy the opportunity to participate in our annual DGN Vocal Festival held in February each year, and the annual DGN Musical which takes place in March.
The choirs travel regularly, and have had the opportunity to travel and perform for audiences in Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Orlando, Nashville, Minneapolis, San Diego, and Ireland.
Our Choirs
Freshman Choir (treble voices): All freshman students with treble voices (soprano/alto) sing in our Freshman Choir. Students in this choir have the opportunity to audition late fall for the Freshman Ensemble, an advanced ensemble which meets second semester during the 4A opposite lunch resource.
Concert Choir (mixed voices): All sophomore treble voices, as well as freshman and sophomore tenor/bass voices, sing in our Concert Choir. In addition, juniors and seniors new to our program are generally placed in Concert Choir without audition. Students in this choir have the opportunity at the beginning of the school year to audition for the Concert Singers, an advanced ensemble which meets before school.
Treble Choir (treble voices): Most junior treble voices that have at least one year of experience in our program are promoted to our Treble Choir. Junior/senior students new to the program may audition for placement into this choir. Students placed in this choir have the opportunity in the spring to audition for the following year's Treble Ensemble, an advanced ensemble which meets during the 4B opposite lunch resource.
A Cappella Choir (mixed voices): Most senior treble voices, as well as junior and senior tenor/bass voices, that have at least one year of experience in our program are promoted to our A Cappella Choir. Senior treble voices and junior/senior tenor/bass voices new to the program may audition for placement into this choir. Students placed in this choir have the opportunity in the spring to audition for the following year's Chamber Choir, an advanced ensemble which meets during the 5A opposite lunch resource.
All Access: All Access is a non-auditioned student-led ensemble that meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) during 8th period. 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 an 8th hour study hall (or, for seniors, an early release).
Freshman Choir (treble voices): All freshman students with treble voices (soprano/alto) sing in our Freshman Choir. Students in this choir have the opportunity to audition late fall for the Freshman Ensemble, an advanced ensemble which meets second semester during the 4A opposite lunch resource.
Concert Choir (mixed voices): All sophomore treble voices, as well as freshman and sophomore tenor/bass voices, sing in our Concert Choir. In addition, juniors and seniors new to our program are generally placed in Concert Choir without audition. Students in this choir have the opportunity at the beginning of the school year to audition for the Concert Singers, an advanced ensemble which meets before school.
Treble Choir (treble voices): Most junior treble voices that have at least one year of experience in our program are promoted to our Treble Choir. Junior/senior students new to the program may audition for placement into this choir. Students placed in this choir have the opportunity in the spring to audition for the following year's Treble Ensemble, an advanced ensemble which meets during the 4B opposite lunch resource.
A Cappella Choir (mixed voices): Most senior treble voices, as well as junior and senior tenor/bass voices, that have at least one year of experience in our program are promoted to our A Cappella Choir. Senior treble voices and junior/senior tenor/bass voices new to the program may audition for placement into this choir. Students placed in this choir have the opportunity in the spring to audition for the following year's Chamber Choir, an advanced ensemble which meets during the 5A opposite lunch resource.
All Access: All Access is a non-auditioned student-led ensemble that meets twice a week (Tuesdays and Thursdays) during 8th period. 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 an 8th hour study hall (or, for seniors, an early release).