A Blow To The NHS Choral Program

To the Editor:

I am writing this letter in support of Sabrina Post, the NHS high school choral director who has been placed on administrative leave. The Brauns’ letter to the editor last week described the depth of confusion and disappointment students are feeling with eloquence and accuracy.

I have two young people who have benefited greatly under the direction of Mrs Post. We have always been in awe of what she has been able to accomplish with so many students in her program. She has been at the forefront of organizing her students in performances throughout the community such as the Christmas Tree Lighting, singing at the Episcopal Church during the holiday weekend, performing for the Chamber of Commerce, and just recently, a scheduled then cancelled cabaret at the Stony Hill Inn. All of this and her duties as a teacher, and director of top quality musical theater productions at the high school, and she still manages to take the kids to perform at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Carnegie Hall. Mrs Post has worked the choral program at the high school into the fabric of the community. She has the terrific support of parents whose students are involved in the choral program and I do not believe that support would be there if her intentions were not to provide the students such incredible opportunities.

In light of Mrs Post’s suspension, it is no wonder that students would feel betrayed, confused, and angry. They don’t know if all of their planned activities will be suspended as a result. There are those that want the spring musical to go on despite losing their director. There are some students that felt leaving the show was a way to show their support for Mrs Post. One thing can be certain: this has created a great divide among the students. It is unfortunate that the timing of this suspension has really impacted not only the choral students, but the drama department, the orchestra, the tech students, and others involved in the production of Show Boat.

Our son, Matt Grills, received a scholarship as a senior last year from the Choral Parents Group.  It was a great honor for him and for us. We attribute a great deal of his success to Sabrina Post. He left Newtown High School with great confidence in his musical ability and continues to perform in community theaters and at college. Matt has agreed to step in to replace a fellow student in the spring musical. He does this to continue to support the efforts of Mrs Post in the promotion of the music program at Newtown High School. 

It is a shame that a teacher so highly regarded by her students and their parents has been removed so abruptly with no explanation and no support allowed by her peers. We can only say our thoughts are with her, and with the Newtown High School choral program.

Sincerely,

Joan Moreno

Joseph Grills, Jr

1 Cherry Heights, Sandy Hook                                      March 1, 2005