The Northridge Choral Department

I hope you all are having a good evening. Like many of you, this year has seemed like one setback after another. I never thought my last time in person this week with students was to be in rehearsal Monday night telling them, “Things don’t happen to you, they happen for you.” Although it is not my quote, I feel it even stronger now. 

Below is the official announcement from our school system and information:

Hopefully by now you are all aware of the difficult decision made to quarantine all show choir students/staff.  This decision came after we were made aware that several individuals who attended the competition on Saturday have tested positive for COVID-19.  While we are fairly certain that we had quarantined all those individuals who had exposure to the initial positive person, nothing is foolproof, unfortunately, and with a few more individuals having positive test results this week, we decided to do the safest thing and eliminate any risk of additional exposures.

Unless your student has already been contacted about an exposure from this week, your student may return to school on Monday, March 15. 

Again – if the school had already contacted you about a specific exposure that happened this week at school, please reference the return date from that exposure. All others may return on the 15th.

Thank you so much for your patience and understanding during this chaotic time. Please know that the safety of our MCS students and families is our #1 priority. If you have any questions regarding this matter, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Dana Clark Director of HR Middlebury Community Schools

574.822.5324 clarkd@mcsin-k12.org

Also, due to the number of quarantines and cases, all rehearsals and performances will be cancelled next week. We will begin again Monday, March 15th. This is for the safety and health of not only our students, but also the hosts of the contest we were to attend. I want to make sure when we are back, that we are 100%. 

That being said, earlier today I contacted contest sites on March 20th to see if we can add a contest in addition to Carroll. I am happy to report Bishop Dwenger has shifted their schedule and are adding both show choirs to their performance list. Our contest season is not done and we will not stop fighting for our students and to give them opportunities for excellence.

Thank you for your patience and understanding. Yes, this is a rough period, but we simply will not give up as long as we can have safe performances. Have a great night.

Yours in song,

Mr. Dan Baker

Good evening!

I wanted to update you, as soon as I was able, on what we are working on for our invitational. We have secured our building for a MARCH 27th contest, and are planning to move forward with a similar or identical schedule on that day. We hope you are able to join us on that day, and I am very thankful already for your flexibility. This is pending approval from our administration and also from the Elkhart County Board of Health. Not to mention the visiting schools, judges, etc…

Thanks for your patience, and more to come soon!

Yours in song,

Mr. Dan Baker

I hope you all are well. I simply cannot express to you the nature of my heavy heart as I write this message. I will skip right to the point: This morning we learned Mrs. Manglos tested positive for the COVID-19 virus and yesterday we learned Mr. Cox had also tested positive. Despite showing no symptoms, I am required to quarantine at home for the rest of this week and possibly next due to working in close proximity with Mrs. Manglos for 15 minutes or more at a time. We also are learning of possible choral student infections today as well. As a result, there have to be many changes to our schedule this week.

Starting with the biggest change, Mr. Wood and Mrs. Allen made the difficult decision to cancel this weekend and postpone our choral invitational this Saturday. I will begin looking at dates after spring break or virtual solutions to allow our students opportunities for performance. This evening’s rehearsal with Starlights and dress rehearsals Thursday will also need to be cancelled. All of this is to allow anyone that may develop symptoms time to be tested and to not further infection. We need to keep everyone as safe from infection as possible. Not to mention, keeping visitors, parents, and students from other schools safe as well!

Knowing how much time and energy so many people have invested, my heart breaks for not only the students, but also the parents and volunteers. I have spent the last few hours on the phone this morning with many of you who have expressed support and undying love for our students to make this happen. I am hopeful a reschedule will happen. 

Please know if you are receiving this you are loved by many. Nothin’ but love.

Yours in song,

Mr. Dan Baker

According to showchoir.com, both Northridge groups placed in the top three in their divisions after yesterday’s performances! Both Starlights and Northern Lights placed 2nd Runner Up at the contest. Congrats to all of our students!

We are relying on this information as Beech Grove was unable to host a video of the awards. Moving forward, we are excited to host our own Northridge Choral Invitational next Saturday!

All,

After two fantastic performances by all of our students, we will be headed back to Northridge and back on schedule per our original itinerary. Huntington was unable to accommodate their schedule despite our willingness to forgo a warmup time and holding prep time. Health concerns in a tight schedule were the primary reason.

We are very proud of our students and are excited to host our competition next weekend!

Yours in song,

Mr. Dan Baker

Parents,

Our goal as educators is to give students as many opportunities for excellence and learning as possible.

That being said, on our way to our Beech Grove, we were contacted by another competition to fill an empty performance slot. After talking to our principal, Mr. Wood, he was supportive of an additional opportunity. This contest is Huntington North, and would be technically on our way home north, with a slight detour east to Huntington.

We are aware this might cause issues creating additional delays in students coming home, they will still be coming home earlier than a pre-COVID competition. 

As of now, we are waiting to hear from the Huntington director to ensure our times and details. I will forward these along as they happen.

Thanks for your understanding and grace as we attempt to give our students additional opportunities.

Yours in song,

Mr. Dan Baker

Northern Lights and Starlights perform @ 12:45 PM. Cheer these wonderful students from the comfort of your own home. ❤

CLICK HERE

For all of you who are interested in supporting our Show Choir students this coming weekend at Beech Grove HS in Indy please use the following link to purchase tickets ahead of time.  This will be the only way to purchase tickets.  Pay online and enjoy the show!  We are looking forward to another great weekend!!  If you have any further questions please let Tera Gascho or Sandra Manglos know and we will find answers for you!! ❤

CLICK HERE

If you can, please consider sponsoring a trophy or championship medals for our invitational.  We are giving each participating school a championship trophy which will include a 3X5 plaque attached to the trophy which will dictate placement. Due by March 1st. Thank you for all your support. ❤️

CLICK HERE for Trophy Sponsorship

We would like to thank all of the parents who stood out in the cold to put this very special message up for our Starlights and Northern Lights Show Choirs. See picture below. My heart is so blessed to have parents like you to support these wonderful kids! ❤