Music

Music Education at HNJ

Building creativity, confidence, community, and a lifelong love of music

At Holy Name of Jesus, Music Education for grades K–7 engages students through active, hands-on learning. Grounded in approaches like Kodály and Dalcroze Eurhythmics, the curriculum combines movement, singing, instrument playing, and music literacy. Students explore musical traditions from the Middle Ages to the present, with a special emphasis on the rich cultural heritage of New Orleans.

From rhythm and improvisation to public performance and music theory, our program fosters creativity, expression, and confidence, preparing students for advanced musical experiences and a lifetime of musical enjoyment.

Early Childhood / Lower School

• Kindergarten–2nd Grade (Moving, Singing & Playing):
  Through singing, dancing, and percussion instruments, students develop rhythm, melody, and movement awareness. They begin solfege training, creative expression, and ensemble skills in a joyful, play-based environment. Performances like Gator Fest and the Christmas program celebrate their growth and creativity.

• 3rd Grade (Recorder Karate & Repertoire): Students build music reading skills and technique through the Recorder Karate method. They study diverse composers and styles, participate in liturgies, and take part in the Carnegie Hall Link Up program in partnership with the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra

• 4th Grade (Strings & Songwriting): With the introduction of ukulele, students explore chords, harmony, and improvisation. They connect music theory to real-world performance and deepen their understanding of musical form and expression.

Middle School

• 5th–7th Grade (Performance & Composition): Students expand their musical toolkit through composition, ensemble playing, and music technology. They explore advanced theory (intervals, scales, ear training), perform with instruments like drum set, electric guitar, and ukulele, and engage with the music of New Orleans and beyond.

Middle School Electives

Students can choose from a wide range of musical electives to further their interests, including:

• Songwriting

• Jazz Ensemble

• Backbeat (Percussion)

• Curious Conducting

• Music Meditation

• Becoming a Music Teacher

• Ukulele Strummers

These courses cultivate creativity, leadership, and collaboration through composing, improvising, conducting, performing, and even teaching.

The HNJ Music Experience

HNJ’s Music Program nurtures both skill and spirit, helping students grow as musicians, thinkers, and members of a creative community. From first note to final performance, every student finds their voice through music.