The adult choir of Trinity Episcopal Church is a welcoming dedicated mixed SATB ensemble of volunteer and professional voices. The repertoire sung is an eclectic mix of a cappella and accompanied works from all historical periods including music of the English and American Episcopal traditions. The Trinity Choir sings for the 10:15 am choral mass each week. We are always happy when new singers join our group. If you have a love of singing and are interested in becoming part of the Trinity Choir, please contact the choirmaster, Allan Robinson, at:
(732) 741-4581
[email protected]
Sung Repertoire
Music sung at Trinity Episcopal Church masses consists of several categories:
Liturgy
The 10:15 am Sunday mass consists of sung anthems, motets, and liturgical portions. This might include what is referred to as the ‘ordinary’ of the mass, or those portions which remain the same throughout all the varied seasons of the church year. At Trinity Episcopal Church, the ordinary portions which are sung include the Kyrie Eleison (or “Lord Have Mercy Upon Us”), the Gloria (“Gloria In Excelsis Deo”), Credo (“I Believe in One God”), Sanctus (“Holy, Holy, Holy”) and Agnus Dei (“O Lamb of God”).
The musical settings and genres of our liturgical portions vary according to the liturgical calendar. Our current Mass settings include music by John Merbecke (c. 1510 – c. 1585) and Healey Willan.
Other sung portions may or may not include Introits (introduction to the service), the Psalm of the day sung in a variety of ways and various other prayers. On important days in the life of the church (called “Feast Days” or Festal occasions) even the Gospel may be chanted by the priest.
Hymns
Hymns are very important for worship at Trinity Church and many are sung during worship services led by the Trinity Choir. While the 1940 Hymnal is the hymnal used for masses at Trinity Church, frequently hymns may also be taken from other sources and included in the bulletin as a hymn insert. This allows our hymn repertoire to be extremely varied and to be closely aligned with the lectionary readings. Also, frequently newly composed hymns are used at Trinity Church.
The decoration of hymns is a unique characteristic of Anglican worship. At Trinity, the choir supports hymn singing by means of descants sung by the highest voices of the choir as well as by varying the harmonization and texture of hymns.
Anthems and Motets
Choral music sung at Trinity Church includes a wide range of repertoire. Amongst literature which is often programmed are oratorio extracts; modern, romantic and baroque compositions; as well as renaissance motets sung a cappella and senza vibrato. Each aesthetic choice is coordinated with the Revised Common Lectionary of the Episcopal Church. In addition we occasionally program original compositions by composers both within and outside of Trinity Church.
Here are a couple of sample recordings of our choir:
Concerts and Evensong
The Trinity Choir also sings both choral concerts and traditional Anglican evensong on a occasional basis. Repertoire for these services is taken from the corpus of English and American church music as well as original works written especially for the Trinity Choir. A sample of our production of John Stainer’s the Crucifixion is found here.
Rehearsals
During the non-summer months, the Trinity Choir rehearses on Sunday two times. The first rehearsal precedes the 10:15 a.m. mass and is from 9 until 10 o’clock a.m. The second is from 12 until 12:45 p.m.
Prior to feast days or other special events the second rehearsal may be changed to a 1 hour rehearsal. Additional rehearsals are called for evensongs.
Family Choir
During the summer months volunteers from the choir and congregation function as our choir. We invite all persons from age 12 to 110 to sing in our Summer Family Choir. Choristers do not have to have a good voice or be skilled singers, just a desire to make a joyful noise to the Lord! We meet in the choir room for rehearsal beginning at 8:30 am. Each Sunday, at that time, we will practice for the service. No weekly commitment is required! Everyone is invited.