The Chapel Singers of Trinity College, Hartford

The Chapel Singers is Trinity’s oldest student organization, founded in 1825. The group sings at major college occasions, Chapel services, and performs concerts on campus as well as on domestic and international tours. The group’s membership is comprised of undergraduates from a variety of backgrounds and academic disciplines who enjoy studying and performing challenging choral music. The Chapel Singers are directed by Christopher Houlihan '09, college organist and director of Chapel music.

2023-2024 Student Leadership

Marilyn Brach ’24, president
Sam Lee ’24, vice president
Zarina Stone ’26, treasurer
Naomi Dyer ’24, secretary

Fall 2023 Auditions

Come to the Chapel South Cloister (outside, facing the quad) during any of these audition times, no appointment needed.

Sunday, September 3, 1:00–2:15 p.m.
Monday, September 4, 3:00–4:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 5, 12:15–1:30 p.m.
Tuesday, September 5, 4:30–6:00 p.m.

MORE TIMES ADDED!!
Monday, 9/11 @ 6:00–7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, 9/12 @ 4:30–6:00 p.m.

About us: We are students who love to sing challenging choral music at Chapel services, college occasions, and in concerts. Our repertoire spans centuries and includes many works by historically marginalized composers.

Commitment: Rehearsals on Monday and Wednesday (4:30–6:00 p.m.) and singing at Chapel most Sundays (3:30–5:30 p.m.) Membership is a signifiant commitment as we are paid, student employees of the Chapel. Our members hold a variety of religious and spiritual beliefs, and all are welome.

About auditioning: Arrive warmed up and ready to sing. You will sing some scales and sight read a few bars of music (it’s everyone’s least favorite part, just try your best). Lastly, a few of us will teach you a short piece. Membership usually requires some previous experience reading sheet music.

Any questions: Please reach out to our president, Marilyn Brach ’25 or our director, Christopher Houlihan ’09.

Spring 2022 Recording

The Chapel Singer’s latest album, featuring music performed during Spring 2022. Available on SoundCloud.

Virtual choir videos

Check out The Chapel Singers on YouTube, where you can hear some of their virtual choir videos recorded during the 2020-21 academic years

Information for prospective students

Want to learn more about about becoming a Chapel Singer?

The Virtual Alma Mater

The Chapel Singers recorded a virtual rendition of ”Neath the Elms,’ Trinity’s alma mater, for the 2020 Baccalaureate.

Trinity Community Continues to Gather — in Virtual Spaces

Being separated physically has not kept the Trinity College community from connecting this semester. While the COVID-19 pandemic prevents large gatherings in spaces like the Washington Room, Vernon Social, or the Chapel, groups across campus are getting creative by moving events and activities online and inviting people to attend from wherever they are.

Carols from the 60th Annual Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols

The Chapel Singers recorded music from the 2018 Festival of Lessons and Carols, including the premier of Robert Edward Smith’s setting of ‘Adam Lay Ybounden.’

Choirs in perfect Harmony

The Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Hartford (ASOFH) is an annual national festival and organ competition in residence at Trinity College. The Chapel Singers collaborated with choirs from West Hartford at the 2017 festival to premier a new piece of music commissioned from well-known composer Philip J. Stopford.

The Chapel Singers