Founded in 1927, the Downers Grove Music Club (DGMC) is a community service organization whose mission is to stimulate greater interest in music.  We are committed to providing our community with a high standard of musical performances and educational opportunities.  Based in Downers Grove, club members also include residents of Westmont, Bolingbrook, Hinsdale, Elmhurst, Naperville, Lisle, Lombard, Woodridge, Darien, Brookfield, Oak Brook, Forest View and LaGrange Park. 

Music Programs
Our "club meetings" are actually high quality musical programs which are open to the public and free of charge.  These programs are presented on the first Tuesday evening of each month from October through May (excluding January).  The performance venues vary widely throughout the year. 

DGMC often presents or sponsors additional concerts throughout its program year.  The complete schedule for our current season provides the exact dates, times and locations for all of our programs. 

Piano Festival & Competition
The Downers Grove Music Club sponsored its first Piano Festival in 1943.  Over the years, it has become an established part of the music community of Chicago's western suburbs.  Over 100 students participate each year.  Teachers know every student who enters will receive a helpful critique from an experienced judge.  Those who excel will be invited to perform at the honors recital which is held a week or two after the festival.  Students are given an option to enter at the competition level, where the highest scorers also receive cash prizes.

Music Scholarships
To further encourage young musicians, the Downers Grove Music Club awards annual scholarships to area high school students who have worked very hard in their musical pursuits and have achieved a high level of accomplishment as musicians.

Each spring, DGMC awards six Rising Star scholarships to deserving juniors in District 99.   In 2010 and 2011, we were able to award two additional vocal scholarships, thanks to a scholarship fund set up as a memorial to Madeleine Pedersen.   All scholarship winners are selected based on the merits of their musical accomplishments and are featured performers at our Rising Stars program in the spring of their senior year.

We are now a 501(c)(3) Organization
In July, 2011 the Downers Grove Music Club received official federal acceptance of our 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status.  Donations (above the cost of dues) made to DGMC after August 11, 2010 are tax-deductible, to the extent of federal tax regulations.