Fine Arts

The Holy Cross Band is known throughout the South. Students annually receive college scholarships for their musical talent. The band plays at football games, participates in competitions, camps, and rallies, and marches in Mardi Gras parades. They are sometimes called upon to play at civic functions as well. Students meet the instruments in fifth grade and explore until they find the instrument that is a perfect fit for their talent. In High School, they may take two to four years of classes, working up to Advanced Band Honors and AP Theory. For more information, please email Tiger Band Director, Perry Forstall at pforstall@hcnola.org.

Holy Cross School Chorus Department

The goal of the Holy Cross Choral Department is to train young men to sing both solo and choral music via healthy vocal technique, artistry, and musical intelligence.  At Holy Cross, choral music is a curricular subject. Classes focus on music performance, music analysis, and music literacy.  Our choirs present four concerts per year and perform in the community.  

Chorus Classes Offered at Holy Cross:  

Middle School Exploratory Classes:
The purpose of the Exploratory Chorus classes is to explore and participate in performance in choral music.   Through participation in choral music, students learn the value of self-discipline, teamwork, and aesthetic experiences.

Tiger Chorus (7th grade):
In the Tiger Chorus, students work collaboratively on improving vocal technique, listening skills, and reading music.  We focus on learning to read music using the Solfege system and being attentive to vocal range while applying these skills to music for performances.   

Men’s Chorus (8th – 12th grades):
The Men’s Chorus consists of students of different grade levels singing and performing choral music in a variety of styles. Students work collaboratively to develop as musicians through reading and analyzing music, and performing.    

Concordia Ensemble (8th – 12th grades):
The Honors Vocal Ensemble is an auditioned ensemble that performs advanced choral music in a variety of styles.  Students work collaboratively to create music with artistry and attention to detail.  There are opportunities to explore individual music preferences through solo work and independent projects.

Travel Opportunities:

Members of the Holy Cross Men’s Chorus and the Concordia Ensemble are offered the opportunity to travel to a choral festival once per year. Past trips have included performing at the Heritage Festival of Gold at Carnegie Hall, with the Southern Invitational Choral Conference at Mississippi State University, and at Heritage Festivals in Nashville and Atlanta. 

Honor Choirs:

Our singers sing with the following honor ensembles:

• National Association for Music Education All National Mixed Choir
• American Choral Directors’ Association Louisiana All State Youth and Men’s Choirs
• Louisiana Music Educators’ Association All State Mixed Choir
• Louisiana Music Educators’ Association District VI Honor Choir

If you have any questions about the choral music program at Holy Cross School, please contact Chorus Director, Craig Matherne at cmatherne@hcnola.org. 

Drama is a gumbo of all the arts: High School students in drama classes draw, sing, play instruments, build scenery, paint, and, of course, act. Students may take two to four years of drama, earning honors credits in Drama III and IV. At least two plays are produced annually, and the students compete in district and state rallies. Students in the courses learn all aspects of theater from ticket sales to costuming to lighting to acting. Students earn membership in the International Thespian Society, and all students on campus may be members of Holy Cross Center Stage and audition for all plays. For more information, please contact Theatre Director Michelle Haas at mhaas@hcnola.org.