Auditions

Music Groups

The Chapel Singers

WHO: We’re a choir of about two dozen students from a variety of backgrounds and majors who love to sing challenging choral music. The Chapel Singers is Trinity’s oldest student and musical organization, founded in 1825.

WHAT:We sing at Chapel services, major college occasions, Lessons and Carols, perform concerts, and make recordings. We rehearse and perform three times a week and are student employees of the Chapel.

WHERE: Drop in at any of the audition times. No appointment is required and nothing needs to be prepared in advance. Meet in the Chapel south cloister (facing the quad).

WHEN: Friday, August 29, 1:00–2:30 p.m.
Sunday, August 31, 4:30–6:00 p.m.
Tuesday, September 2, 4:30–5:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 2, 7:00–8:00 p.m.

HUH? Before your audition, visit this page to learn more. If you have any questions, contact our director, Christopher Houlihan, or president, Zarina Stone ’26.

Instrumental Ensembles
MUSC-105. (.5 credit)

The Trinity College Instrumental Ensembles Program is a half-credit course that supports the study and performance of music from five centuries of chamber music repertoire. Each semester, groups are formed and assigned a professional musical coach and repertoire to study and prepare for performance. The goal of the program is to provide the students with an opportunity to survey the vast literature of chamber music, and to receive training in ensemble playing skills.

Auditions: Auditions are required. Email Nancy Curran for questions and to arrange an audition. Auditions are about 15 minutes and students should play a scale of their choice, and also a prepared piece or movement of a work of their choice.

Contact: Nancy Curran, Coordinator at [email protected].

Jazz Ensemble
MUSC-109. (.5 credit)

Jazz is America’s own art form! The Jazz Ensemble studies and performs the compositions of Ellington, Monk, Coltrane, Hancock, and others, as well as original works by Professor Allen and the group members. Styles span the gamut of jazz history, from traditional swing to bebop to all sorts of jazz fusions. We will work hard on improving individually and as a group, with a focus on creative improvising, group interplay, and solid grooves.

Auditions: Auditions will be held during the first class time. The first class meets on Tuesday, September 6 from 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. in the Music Hall (AAC, Room 102. Located downstairs.).

Meeting Times: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m., Austin Arts Center, Room 102.

Contact: Jen Allen, Director at [email protected].

Other performance opportunities that do not require an audition

Steel Pan Ensemble
MUSC 108   (0.50 credit) 

Students in this ensemble will learn the history and social significance of steel pan music in Trinidad. Additionally, they will understand the musical roles of each instrument in the ensemble and learn the techniques associated with playing each of them. Students will be expected to learn and memorize arrangements of classical, popular, and traditional calypso music. The music will be taught aurally and by rote by the instructor, Curtis Greenidge, a steel pan teacher from Trinidad.

Auditions: No audition is required.

Meeting Times: All in the Music Hall, AAC 102, beginning Wednesday, September 7

Mondays, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Contact: Mr. Curtis Greenidge, Director at: [email protected]

Samba Ensemble
MUSC-111 (0.50 credit) 

This ensemble primarily performs various carnival and other drumming and singing traditions of Brazil. Related musical styles and musical genres are also included. Previous performance experience is not required, and students may take this course for more than one semester. The Samba Ensemble plays events on and off campus throughout the year. We are looking for various instrumentalists: guitar, bass, trombone, saxophone, keyboards, etc. to supplement the ensemble. Permission of the instructor is required.

Auditions: Please contact Professor Eric Galm directly via email, and come to the first class meeting on Wednesday, September 7 at 6:00 p.m. in the Gruss Music Hall, AAC 102.

Meeting Times: All in the Gruss Music Hall, AAC 102.

Mondays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Wednesdays, 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Contact: Professor Eric Galm, Director at: [email protected]

Private Music Lessons
MUSC-107 (0.50 credit)

Trinity offers students the opportunity to study either a musical instrument or voice with Music Department approved instructors.

To receive the “Questionnaire and Guidelines” about MUSC 107 Music Lessons, please contact Jen Allen, faculty coordinator, at: [email protected]

Course Prerequisite:  A basic understanding of note reading and music terminology is required for music lessons. Please contact Jen Allen if you would like to apply for a waiver of this requirement. If you have no previous experience with music notation, you may concurrently take MUSC-101 Basic Musicianship to fulfill this requirement.

Course Requirements:  Attendance at a scheduled orientation meeting during the Add/Drop period for Lessons is required, TBA. Email Jen Allen to ask about orientation dates.

Successful completion of 11 one-hour lessons with a Music Department-approved lessons instructor.

Attendance at the musicians’ workshop and end-of-semester recital, dates and times to be announced.

In addition to tuition costs, students are required to pay their instructor a fee of $600 for the semester. Students who qualify for Trinity Grant financial aid and who are taking Lessons for credit may be eligible for an award to pay this fee. The questionnaire in the “Questionnaire and Guidelines” serves as the application for a Trinity Grant for Music Lessons as well as the first step to enroll in Lessons.  Submit your questionnaire during or before the first week of classes to be considered among the first group of Trinity Grant applicants. Additional applications will be accepted if there are additional Grants to be awarded.

Meeting Times: Each student and instructor will schedule weekly one-hour lessons based on their particular schedules. The student should contact the instructor directly. See instructors’ contact information in the Questionnaire and Guidelines.

Registration: Extended Add/Drop deadline: Friday, Sept. 16, 2022

Contact: Professor Jen Allen, Faculty Coordinator of Music Lessons, at [email protected]

Trinity College Gospel Choir (TCGC)

Trinity College Gospel Choir (TCGC), a student organization for more than 25 years, brings the vital tradition of gospel music to the Trinity community. Members of the Gospel Choir enhance the group’s music program through elements of dance, spoken word, and prayer from the traditional African American churches.

TCGC also builds community and promotes social change on campus. Seasonal concerts, offered once each semester, are the core of the program.

No audition required: Come to the first TCGC meeting/rehearsal of the semester. No previous musical experience is necessary. Rehearsals are held weekly on Tuesdays from 7:30–9:00 p.m. in the Chapel Choir Room (go down the main aisle, turn right and go down the stairs).

Contact: Reach out to TCGC president Jayda Clarke ’26, or TCGC Ministers of Music Anthony Williams and John Hayes.