Mr. Brooks will begin in the 2018-19 academic year teaching five courses: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Workshop.
Community High School District 99 has announced the appointment of Mr. DaJuan Brooks to the faculty of the Downers Grove South High School Fine Arts Department. Mr. Brooks will begin in the 2018-19 academic year teaching five courses: Concert Band, Symphonic Band, Wind Symphony, Wind Ensemble, and Jazz Workshop. He will also assume the role of Lead Director with the Marching Mustangs in June of 2018.
Currently the Director of Orchestras at Niles West High School (Niles, Ill.), Mr. Brooks holds a Masters of Music performance from Northwestern University (NU) with a Music Education Certificate. While at NU Mr. Brooks held the John P. Paynter Endowed Fellowship and a graduate assistantship in the clarinet studio. Mr. Brooks also holds a Bachelor of Music Performance degree in clarinet from the University of Arizona. Mr. Brooks is a former conducting finalist for several military bands, including the US Army Field Band and for the United States Air Force Band. Mr. Brooks has a strong affiliation with Drum Corps International, serving as the Head Drum Major of The Blue Devils “B”, winning an Open Class Championship in 2011 as well as the Jim Jones “Drum Major of the Year” Leadership Award. Mr. Brooks was also the DCI Individual and Ensemble Clarinet Champion in 2011 and 2012.
Mr. Brook’s appointment is the culmination of a search that drew an international pool of 125 highly qualified applicants. Finalists for the position were observed teaching District 99 music students, and also demonstrated personal musical aptitude through a performance on their major instrument.
“Our process was both thorough and highly competitive,” said South High School Fine Arts Chair Glenn Williams. “Mr. Brook’s charisma, musicianship, passion for students and for the marching arts are going to have a significant impact in the learning community at South High School.”
Having watched Mr. Brooks conduct and teach during the search process, South High Band member and current junior Matt Seiden shared, “He demonstrated so much energy and passion for what he was doing and that's exactly what you want to find in a teacher. I think without a doubt he would be very successful in District 99 because of his energetic and passionate personality.” Junior Isaac Rutledge added, “This candidate was very expressive in his way of teaching as well as his way of communicating with the band. He showed great ability to work and improve the whole wind ensemble.”