CRAWFORDSVILLE — Classic Connection, DeKalb High School’s show choir, brought home numerous awards from the Southmont Mountie Nation Invitational Saturday.
WATERLOO â Only seven high schools in Indiana earned the prestigious Total Department version of the All-Music Award from the Indiana State School Music Association.
Friday, students at DeKalb High School proudly displayed a huge banner signifying that its band and choir programs rank among that elite group.
The award signifies excellence in both the vocal and instrumental departments of a high school.
âAll that is a great testament to the perseverance for our students throughout this challenging year,â said Joshua Doubblestein, DeKalbâs vocal music director.
Despite the obstacles of the COVID-19 pandemic, âThe students were motivated to still commit to that level of excellence that weâve always had here at DeKalb,â he said.
Garrett High Schoolâs Encore! choir won the peopleâs choice trophy.
âWe were excited and blessed to provide a safe performance opportunity for these choirs,â said Joshua Doubblestein, DeKalbâs choir director.
âUnique to this year was the option for choirs to compete virtually by submitting a video of their performance. Choirs from South Dakota, Nebraska and Indiana competed in virtual divisions throughout the day in addition to our traditional in-person performances,â he said.
âThis year the DeKalb Choir Festival again offered a non-competitive concert choir division with the opportunity to work with maestro Robert Nance of Fort Wayneâs Heartland Sings!â he added.