The DGN Jazz program boasts three curricular jazz bands that meet before and during the school day; Jazz Ensemble, Jazz Lab Band, and Jazz Workshop. All three bands study a wide range of repertoire, from swing to funk, study the jazz greats, learn about the art of improvisation, and perform in multiple community concerts throughout the year, in addition to off-campus performances at various festivals and well-know jazz venues such as The Jazz Showcase, Fitzgerald's, and The Venue.
All students are welcome in the DGN Jazz program! All students participate in a placement audition to determine their band placement.
However, no students are cut from the DGN Jazz program! All are welcome!
The DGN Jazz Ensemble is comprised of experienced and high-achieving jazz instrumentalists at DGN. Students are placed into this ensemble through an audition each year that determines their literacy and competency as a jazz musician, and the band makes frequent performance appearances at local jazz venues in the Chicagoland area, and at local jazz festivals.
Students in Jazz Ensemble frequently represent DGN in ILMEA District and All-State ensembles.
The DGN Jazz Lab Band is comprised of developing jazz instrumentalists at DGN. Students are placed into this ensemble to continue honing their jazz skills and perform in many community concerts each year, as well as local jazz venues in the Chicagoland area, and at local jazz festivals.
The DGN Jazz Workshop is for new students to jazz. Students are placed in this ensemble to learn the basic jazz skills such as improvisation and style, and perform in many community concerts each year.
In the first week of school each year, students will participate in a placement audition, during class, to determine their jazz band placement. Audition information can be found below.
For the 2025-2026 school year, Jazz Ensemble auditions will be submitted in the Winter of 2025 for the following school year. Those materials will be communicated with students directly.