The department ensemble offerings provide frequent opportunities for students to rehearse and perform in vocal and instrumental ensembles, covering a wide spectrum of musical styles. All students (majors and non-majors) are welcome to join.
Academic
![Balinese Gamelan](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/gamelan_rs32878_hc-arts-276_web.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=uEUoIo-M)
This Indonesian percussion orchestra is the performance ensemble of Music 231/232: Music of Bali.
![Chamber Music Program](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/chambermusic3_flexbox.jpg?h=8b19e8cb&itok=eH1_aljF)
Small instrumental student ensembles (such as duets, trios and quartets) get coached by the department’s artists-in-residence and other performance faculty members and perform throughout the semester.
![chamber singers](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/chamber_singers_0.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=Zb2KJOvx)
A select choral ensemble of approximately 16 musicians from the College Choir who display the highest level of musical excellence.
![students singing in the chapel choir](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/chior.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=MK02cZ9M)
The Chapel Choir sings a diverse range of liturgical music — both traditional and contemporary — to lead worship at the 7 p.m. Sunday Mass in Mary Chapel, the College’s largest weekly worship service.
![college choir](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/collegechoir_rs145280_20180323_chamber_choir_-ab_72.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=QYpvIKJg)
The College Choir is a large mixed ensemble open to all students, which develops a love for choral music and singing among the members and shares that passion with audiences.
![students playing the violin](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/orchestra_rs145291_20180323_chamber_choir_-ab_135-lpr_1_0.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=Dnor5uF7)
The Holy Cross College Orchestra gives both majors and non-majors the opportunity to come together and play orchestra masterworks, ranging from the Baroque era to pieces written in the modern day.
![wind ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/2021-11/wind_0332_0.jpg?h=4bf1c8f5&itok=XU2ebyWM)
The Holy Cross Wind Ensemble provides woodwind, brass, and percussion musicians the opportunity to perform both standard and contemporary wind band literature and engage in meaningful musical experiences.
![students playing in hclef](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/laptopensembletutti.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=roQgeLWh)
H-CLEF (Holy Cross Laptop Ensemble Federation) is the performing ensemble of Music 290: Coding Music. Designed as an experiential, hands-on learning environment, Coding Music welcomes all majors interested in sound synthesis, DIY instrument design, and collaborative performance of live electronic music.
![students playing in Jazz Ensemble](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/rs105306_jazz_ensemble_11_web.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=EjvMb8rq)
A large instrumental jazz band that includes saxophones, trumpets, trombones, and a jazz rhythm section (keyboard, guitar, bass and drums).
Student-Led
![students singing in a capella group](/sites/default/files/styles/592x390_fp/public/acappella_img_4886_web.jpg?h=c52d5dab&itok=ZoE4ACvD)
Holy Cross has four active a cappella groups on campus, a jazz combo and a songwriters' guild.