Holy Cross Music Academy begins September 18 through December 11 and offers two bell choir classes this fall with the first class for grades K-2 meeting on Wednesdays from 4 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. The second class for grades 3-6 will also meet on Wednesdays from 4:45 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. Carol Doss will be the instructor for both bell classes and comes with many years experience both as a ringer and a director of children’s bell groups.
Registration for these classes begins August 28 through Sept. 13. There is a nominal $20 material fee to cover the cost of gloves and music booklets. Parents can contact the Holy Cross church secretary at 714-527-7225, Monday – Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for a registration packet. Space is limited in both groups, so plan to sign up early.
Through the use of handchimes/bells, students are taught basic note reading, rhythm, ringing technique and ensemble playing. If you have never heard a handchime ensemble and don’t even really know what handchimes or handbells are, it’s suggested that you visit online to see young bell ringers in action at www.vimeo.com7057433.
Additionally, Holy Cross is offering individual lessons on traditional band instruments, strings and guitar for beginning, intermediate and advanced students, children and adults. Carolyn Fields, BA in clarinet performance, is coordinating this program, as well as teaching clarinet, flute and saxophone. Please contact the church office for more information about other instrument choices, instrument rentals, lesson cost and scheduling.
Holy Cross also welcomes Ken Culley, MA in music and church organist who will be working with piano and keyboard students of all levels. He is available for private lessons for children and adults and can also be reached through the church office.
It is well documented that music education, especially in public elementary schools, has suffered severe reduction in instructional time and budgetary cutbacks due to increased numeracy and literary initiatives. There is also evidence to show a direct link between the study of music at a young age and the development of problem-solving skills, creative thinking, as well as improvement in math and science. By offering quality music education to the community, Holy Cross hopes to bridge this gap and enhance children’s overall educational experience.
At Holy Cross we believe music is one of the great gifts God has given His people, and as Christians we are to share this beautiful gift with people of all ages. In Psalm 98, the people of God are to “Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the Lord with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing, with trumpets and the blast of the ram’s horn shout for joy before the Lord, the King”. All Holy Cross music students will be performing for a Christmas program on Dec. 15.
Holy Cross is located at 4321 Cerritos Ave. in Cypress.
