Friends of Fine Arts

"Scholarship Dough" Sale Begins February 27!

2012-02-23T08:38:00.000-06:00

FOFA's annual cookie dough and popcorn sale begins this Monday, February 27, continuing through Friday, March 16, 2012. Take advantage of this opportunity to enjoy fresh-baked cookies (the easy way!) AND provide much-appreciated scholarship money that supports eligible Downers Grove South fine arts students seeking help to continue their music or visual art studies. (Read "Student Voices" from past scholarship recipients.)

How? Simply place your order for cookie dough or gourmet popcorn through any participating band, orchestra, choir, or visual arts student. View the complete collection of cookie and popcorn choices, or print an order form.

Each item is $12. Please make checks payable to Downers Grove South Fine Arts. Orders can also be turned in to the DGS Fine Arts Office, the band or choir mailbox, or one of the Fine Arts teachers.

Then, on Monday, April 23, plan to pick up your order between 2:00 and 6:00 pm in the Orchestra Room.

Support DGS Fine Arts!
Remember, this is FOFA's largest fundraising event, designed to support students' visual and musical arts endeavors. We appreciate your help! If you have any questions, please contact Janet Lapen at 630-964-6496.

Volunteers Needed for Scholastic Art Show on Sunday, Feb. 5

2012-01-17T09:21:00.000-06:00

Dear Parents,

North High School will once again host the Chicago-land regional Scholastics Art Show, which opens on Sunday, February 5 at 1:00 pm. South High School has been well-represented in recent years, including two American Vision Awards regionally and one national American Vision Award.

Volunteers are needed to support this event. Please use the form below to indicate if you can work a shift at the reception and/or provide baked goods. (Be sure to hit the Submit button after completing the form.) Thanks in advance for supporting the fine arts in our high schools!

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FOFA 2012 Scholarship Applications Now Being Accepted

2012-01-16T19:38:00.003-06:00

Student Artists, Vocalists and Musicians,

If you are interested in continuing your fine arts studies this summer at a music or art camp, but need financial assistance to attend, please consider applying for a scholarship from Friends of Fine Arts.

To be considered, your application must be submitted by Tuesday, March 20. Download a copy here.

Please return your completed application to Mr. Williams, Downers Grove South Fine Arts Department Chair. Questions about the application process? Please ask Mr. Williams.

Lollipop Sale Begins Friday, January 20

2012-01-11T18:24:00.000-06:00

All interested and eligible DGS students can take advantage of this popular fund-raiser that helps them build credit in their student music account. Here's how it works:

1. Buy a bag of 60 assorted lollipops for $40.

2. $20 will go to your student account and $20 will pay for the lollipops.

3. Sell the lollipops to your friends and family for either $0.75 each or 3 for $2.00.

4. At a minimum, you will earn back your $40 payment.

You can pick up bags of lollipops at 7:30 AM on these dates:
Friday, January 20
Tuesday, January 24
Friday, January 27
Tuesday, January 31
Friday, February 3 Last Pick-up Day!

Lollipops will be available for pick-up in the hallway outside of the music department. Payment can be made by cash or check. Please make checks payable to DGS Fine Arts.

Thank you for supporting this fund-raising event, sponsored by DGS Friends of Fine Arts.

Student Artwork Notecards Make Great Holiday Gifts!

2011-12-06T10:02:00.000-06:00

Looking for a lovely one-of-a-kind gift for the holidays? Consider purchasing a collection of six notecards featuring original artwork from students at Downers Grove South High School. Priced at $10 for each set of six, you'll also be supporting the DGS Fine Arts program.

Notecards will be available at the Downers Grove South Holiday Concert and Art Show, Thursday, December 8, starting at 6:00 pm.

If you can't come to the show or concert, you can still purchase directly at school. Please make your check payable to DGS FOFA (Friends of Fine Arts), stop by the Fine Arts Department office (or send your student) and ask for Glenn Williams.

Images vary in each set, including some of the following:

FOFA Annual Poinsettia Sale - Please Order by November 28!

2011-11-10T08:52:00.001-06:00

Help decorate your home and the Downers Grove South Holiday Concert by purchasing a beautiful high quality, six- to eight-bloom red poinsettia plant, delivered directly from the grower. Each plant is $12 and can be picked up at the conclusion of the concert on December 8, 2011.

Alternate pick-up options include December 9th, during the school day, in the Fine Arts office of Downers Grove South High School, B-122. Or special arrangements can be made by contacting Kelly Snyder at 630-985-7202.

Orders are needed by Monday, November 28, 2011, along with your payment. Please complete the order form and return it to the DGS Fine Arts Department. Checks should be made payable to DGS Fine Arts.

Thanks for supporting this FOFA fundraiser!

Sign Up Here to Volunteer for IMEA Festival, Saturday Nov. 19

2011-11-07T16:05:00.000-06:00

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FOFA 2011-2012 Membership Drive - Please Join Us!

2011-10-12T08:58:00.005-05:00

As Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) embarks on our 14th year of existence, we are pleased and proud of the health and direction of the organization. Last year, FOFA supported more than $15,000 in projects to help ignite a passion for the arts in musicians and visual artists here at South High School.

In addition, numerous parent volunteers supported concert receptions, art shows, the Holiday Concert poinsettia and CD sales, the annual cookie dough sale, and the numerous student account fundraisers. In 2009, FOFA created note cards which featured student art work. The reason for this project was simply to find a new and better way to promote the amazing work of our visual art students. At nearly every Fine Arts event and in nearly every curricular Fine Arts course at South High School last year, FOFA had a presence and an impact.

As we cast our vision toward ways we can further provide support for our entire Fine Arts department, your association with FOFA is essential. We encourage each family to participate both as a Patron and as an event supporter. These two tangible means provide every family with an opportunity to actively support the more than 1,700 students who will participate in curricular arts programs at South High School this year. (Find membership details here.)

We fully understand the complexities of the current economy. We want you to know that your participation, at any level, is valued and enables fulfillment of our vision to ignite a passion for the arts in every learner.

Additionally, South High School is hosting our District IMEA Festival on Saturday, November 19, 2011. There will be numerous opportunities for parents to participate in this event, which will feature outstanding musicians from more than 100 area high schools.

To keep current with the latest information from FOFA and related Booster groups, please submit your email address under the "Follow By Email" headline at right. Once you verify your subscription, we can deliver fresh FOFA information directly to your Inbox.

Thank you in advance for your participation on every level. We look forward to another fantastic year in the arts here at South High School.

Why Support Fine Arts Education?

2011-08-17T13:13:00.001-05:00

The start of a new school year is a good time to think about the education our children receive, and the role of fine arts in their development. Downers Grove South Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) firmly believes in the importance of fine arts instruction -- whether visual or musical -- and exists to help ensure students are fully supported in their artistic endeavors.

That's why we'd like to share excerpts from "Trimming music ed in schools is a mistake," by Mark George, president and CEO of the Music Institute of Chicago, recently published in the Chicago Tribune:

"The drive to elevate the academic success of K-12 students has yielded decidedly mixed results. Not even rigorous academic curricula and well-trained teachers are enough to satisfy the developmental needs, varying learning styles and aesthetic hunger of all students.

It takes a courageous administrator to fund music education in schools when there is so much pressure to improve math and science test scores, and so little emphasis on the arts. Cash-strapped school districts are dropping serious music instruction, as though it is merely expensive play time and not essential to the development of successful, high-achieving students. The remaining general music programs are often executed with poor resources and even lower expectations.

The diminishing of music education in our schools and in the larger culture is a huge mistake. Children are not empty vessels that can be filled with facts and then declared competent. They are little human beings who respond and grow at a rate largely determined by their environment. The arts provide a depth of understanding and even the basis for understanding for some children on their long road to achievement. And perhaps most important, the arts provide a way for children to envision the possibilities of a world outside of their immediate circumstances."

Read More

Many Thanks for Orchestra Basket Donations!

2011-05-19T15:08:00.000-05:00

The District 99 Orchestra would like to thank numerous families, local businesses and organizations for their donations to the Basket Raffle Fundraiser held on Friday, May 6, 2011. As a result of their generosity, over $800 was raised for the instrument replacement fund.

Please consider patronizing these businesses and organizations for your shopping and entertainment needs.

J. Fleming’s Absolutely Delicious

Anderson’s Bookshops

Anna’s Hallmark

Bello Tea

The Brigantine Gallery

Carrabba’s Italian Grill

Chicago Tribune

Classic Cinemas (Tivoli Theater)

Every Day’s a Sundae

The Happy Dog Barkery

Heritage House Florist

Hollywood Blvd.

Holy Cow Sports

Louisa’s & Millie’s Chocolates

Paperworks

Sinfonietta Bel Canto

The Style Studio

Trader Joe’s

Special Event to Support District 99 Orchestra at Bello Tea

2011-05-06T10:17:00.002-05:00

In support of the District 99 Orchestra, Bello Tea is hosting a special fundraising event. From Friday, May 13th through Sunday, May 15th, 10% of all purchases made on behalf of the District 99 Orchestra will be donated back to the Orchestra’s instrument fund.

Just mention “District 99 Orchestra" for your purchase to qualify.

Bello Tea is located at 5111 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL, 630-445-1200.

Please take advantage of this fundraising opportunity, and extend your thanks to Bello Tea.

Basket Donations Sought for the District 99 Orchestra Banquet

2011-04-22T18:23:00.000-05:00

Dear Orchestra Families,

We are starting a new tradition at the Orchestra Banquet on Friday, May 6th. To help with the ongoing need to replace the school-owned string instruments and bows, we are adding a Basket Raffle to the evening’s festivities. This was so successful at the Marching Mustang Banquet last fall, that we thought we’d try replicating it at the Orchestra Banquet.

To make this a success, we need donations of things to be raffled/auctioned off. Please consider making a donation. Ideas include:

- Finals week care package (lots of food and goodies)
- Summer picnic at Ravinia package (picnic basket, blanket, table, candles, etc.)
- Fourth of July themed package (anything red, white and blue)
- New driver package (gas gift card, atlas/GPS)
- Future collegiate package (dorm supplies, laundry supplies, snacks, etc.)
- Spa package
- Restaurant certificates
- Entertainment certificates
- Food packages
- Music-themed packages
- Fitness package
- Souvenirs from "exotic" Spring greak vacations
- Pet packages

Donations can be made by individual families or by a group of people. You can also solicit a business for a donation. If you’d like to take this approach, please contact us with your plan. We do have a small committee working on such donations so we just want to make sure we don’t duplicate our efforts and approach a business more than once.

Please let us know as soon as possible of your donation plans. Contact Gloria Salazar (glsalazar(at)sbcglobal.net), Jeni Robinson (jlrobinson712(at)gmail.com), or Koreen Hux (koreenh(at)sbcglobal.net).

As always, thank you for your support!

Reminder: Cookie Dough/Popcorn Pick-up on Monday, April 18

2011-04-15T08:37:00.000-05:00

Cookie dough and popcorn orders can be picked up in the Orchestra Room on Monday, April 18 from 2:30 to 6:00 pm.

Thank you to all who supported this fundraiser. We almost made our goal.

There are still a few extra items, listed below. If interested in puchasing ($12 each), please contact Nancy Segredo at segredojm(at)aol.com.

5 - Chocolate Chunk Cookie Dough

5 - Peanut Butter Cookie Dough

7 - Oatmeal Raisin Cookie Dough

6 - Candy Cookie Dough

7 - Double Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough

6 - Buttery Caramel Popcorn

5 - Chicago Style Popcorn

6 - Chocolatey Delight Popcorn

6 - Chocolate Lava Cakes

Plant Sale Extended 'til Friday, April 15

2011-04-11T16:17:00.003-05:00

Did you forget to turn in your plant sale orders? Don't worry...the deadline has been extended for one more week. Show your friends and family the beautiful flowers and vegetables we have for sale! All orders are now due Friday, April 15.

For more details, visit Mustang Band Boosters.

Cookie Dough/Popcorn Sale Extended to Thursday, March 24

2011-03-21T19:23:00.001-05:00

Close your eyes, sit back and imagine the smell of fresh cookies baking in the oven. Then, think about the ease of just scooping the pre-made cookie dough out of the tub and putting it on the baking sheet, with no other preparation. Or when you are watching a movie and want to have some popcorn, but you do not want to make it. No worries, if you have already-made delicious popcorn on hand.

Yes, it can be that simple. All you have to do is order your favorite tubs of cookie dough and popcorn. The rest is easy. You have great tasting cookies and popcorn with very little effort.

We need your help. At this point, we are significantly below our goal. Please submit your orders with payment by March 24. They can be turned in to the Fine Arts Office, band or choir mailbox, or to one of the Fine Arts teachers.

Each item is $12. Checks are to be made out to Downers Grove South Fine Arts. Need an order form? Click here to print an order form.

Remember, the purpose of this fundraiser is to provide scholarship money for any eligible DGS Fine Arts student.

Thank you for supporting DGS Fine Arts. If you have any questions, you can contact Nancy Segredo at (630) 971-2106 or at segredojm(at)aol(dot)com.

FOFA Scholarship Applications Due Tuesday, March 22

2011-03-16T11:45:00.001-05:00

Student Artists, Vocalists and Musicians,

If you are interested in continuing your fine arts studies this summer at a music or art camp, but need financial assistance to attend, please consider applying for a scholarship from Friends of Fine Arts.

To be considered, your application must be submitted by Tuesday, March 22. Download a copy here. Please return your completed application to Mr. Williams, Downers Grove South Fine Arts Department Chair.

Questions about the application process? Please ask Mr. Williams.

Reminder: Cookie Dough Orders Due Friday, March 18

2011-03-15T09:16:00.000-05:00

Please don't forget to turn in your order, including payment, by this Friday. Need an order form? Download one here.

This fundraiser is sponsored by Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA) and provides scholarship money for any eligible DGS fine arts student. (Students interested in applying for this scholarship must complete and submit the application form by March 22.)

Each item costs $12, including several varieties of cookie dough, popcorn, and lava cakes. Please make your check payable to DGS Fine Arts, and return your order to any member of the DGS Fine Arts faculty.

Gift cards will be presented to the overall top student seller and to the top student seller in each Fine Arts Program (art, band, choir and orchestra).

Orders can be picked up on Monday, April 18 from 2:00 to 6:00 pm. Questions? Please contact Nancy Segredo at segredojm(at)aol(dot)com.

Thank you for your generous support.

Welcome!

2011-03-13T09:49:00.003-05:00

Welcome to Downers Grove South Friends of Fine Arts (FOFA). We've launched a new website so we can share updates on various fundraising events and volunteer opportunities supported by FOFA. Please check back often or subscribe to our blog. We'll also be adding email subscriber updates soon.

What else can you do here?

- If you're not already a member of FOFA, we encourage you to join us.

- If you are a music or visual arts student looking for financial assistance to support your studies, please investigate FOFA's fundraising activities and scholarship and grant opportunities.

Thank you for supporting the fine arts.