A film featuring members of the South High School in Downers Grove marching band has earned three Emmy Nominations from the Chicago/Midwest Chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. The nominations are in the categories of Audio, Directing and Editing.
“Last year, the marching band season was one of many casualties from the pandemic school year. Our typical competitive season was unable to exist, so we decided to put together a music video that we could at least use as a keepsake from the season,” explains Marching Mustangs Band Director Greg Hensel.
The film was created with permission by Bitter Jester Studios, which is owned by Nic DeGrazia, a former student of Glenn Williams. Williams retired as South High’s fine arts department chair in June 2021. Bitter Jester submitted the film for a Chicago/Midwest Regional Emmy award; the film may be viewed here.
“The award we have been nominated for that is most relevant to our program is ‘Outstanding Achievement in Audio,’” explains Fine Arts Department Chair Jerry Lowrey, who started at South High this year. "We are all ecstatic about this information as the musicianship and audio recording of our very own Marching Mustangs is a part of this Emmy nomination!”
The Emmy Awards Ceremony will be virtual and is tentatively scheduled for December 10. Band members plan to hold a watch party. More information about the award may be found on the NATAS website.
“I’m proud of all of the Marching Mustangs who participated in this production, and of the leaders who guided our students,” said Ed Schwartz, South High principal. “We are always amazed by the caliber and quality of our band members. We appreciate our talented friends at Bitter Jester Studios whose work allowed us to share our students’ talents with a larger audience.”
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