About Holy Trinity School(as noted on Lawrence University's Website)

Holy Trinity Music School in Port‐au‐Prince, has been an outlet for many Lawrence students to volunteer and gain invaluable teaching experience. Since 1996, more than 40 Lawrence students and faculty have traveled to Haiti to teach at various music programs in the country. As a result of the earthquake and following aftershocks, the Holy Trinity complex, founded in 1927 by the Sisters of St. Margaret, which includes the Episcopal Cathedral, a convent, the music, primary and trade schools, the guest‐ house and an income producing gift shop, were all destroyed.

The music program began in 1963 with students from the primary school, most of whom came from families of modest means. 

As the program grew, some of the more affluent families wanted their children to take music lessons as well. Slowly, the Holy Trinity Music School program became one of the only institutions in Haiti to experience true integration of children of differing economic levels—most Haitian institutions continue to reflect a separation of the economic elite from the masses of poorer people.

Over the years, the music school has gained international recognition and acclaim. The Orchestre Philharmonique Ste Trinité twice went to Tanglewood, the Boston Symphony’s famed summer home, where there were coached by luminaries of the musical world. In the past five years, Les Petits Chanteurs (the Boy Choir), with a small chamber ensemble, has toured the United States several times and students and teachers of the school have participated in the Americas Youth Symphony Program.

This year there were more than 1,200 students at the Holy Trinity Music School. Most had their lessons and activities in the main complex downtown but an annex was opened two years ago in the suburb of Petionville. The school boasted of five orchestras, three bands and the well‐ travelled Petits Chanteurs. Lessons were offered on all orchestral instruments, piano and voice. Sister Anne‐Marie, founder of the educational programs at Holy Trinity, was convinced that even in a country as poor as Haiti, music is not a frill, but is a basic ingredient of life. Many consider the music program of Holy Trinity to be one of the most successful projects ever begun in Haiti. We would like to ensure that the music will continue.