On April 6, Heritage Hall’s visual artists, vocalists, dramatists, and orchestra members headed to Casady to celebrate the 50th Annual Independent Schools Association of the Southwest (ISAS) Arts Festival. For three days, Chargers showcased their talents through paintings, photography, or songs alongside students representing 40 schools from six states.

Heritage Hall students had show stopping numbers in the Rock Band event, where the orchestra and select chorus performed songs like Rush’s "Tom Sawyer"; the Coffee House singing event, where students were free to perform solo or group songs for other schools; the 3D and 2D art and photography exhibits; the orchestra exhibitions; and the choir exhibition. All around, the passionate creativity inherent in the HH student body thrived at this year’s festival.

Additionally, HH students, when not performing, were able to admire other schools’ exhibitions, popular highlights included Greenhill’s Improvisational Drama Showcase and One Act play and Casady’s musical. Acting and writing workshops where students learned new ways to express themselves onstage and through poetry were also a hit.

Undoubtedly, students were reluctant to leave the veritable artist’s heaven. Many already have their sights set on next year at Hockaday in Dallas. Thank you to Casady, to ISAS, and to the HH teachers – Marty Bernich, Jeanne Clewell, Jay Ferguson ’96, Steven Gillmore, David Hillis, Azlan Smith, and Trish Winnard – who made this great event and HH’s participation in it possible. The ISAS Fine Arts Festival is an integral platform in which young artists can showcase their talents and works and learn new ways to grow and flourish as budding artists.