The Bicentennial Album
Founded in 1825, The Chapel Singers is Trinity College's oldest student organization and musical ensemble. Featuring music by Trinity composers past and present, "The Bicentennial Album" celebrates two hundred years of musical study and performance at Trinity College.
The album includes several pieces composed specifically for the Chapel Singers, especially by Robert Edward Smith, Chapel composer-in-residence since 1979. Recorded over several days in May 2024, it also features music by alumni, professors, and Samuel Lee ’24, whose setting of “Good-bye” (words by Mark Twain) was composed as part of his music major senior project.
The recording is available from Spotify, Apple Music, and other streaming platforms. A track listing is available below, and complete lyrics and biographical information can be found here.
The Bicentennial Album
The Chapel Singers of Trinity College
Christopher Houlihan ’09, director and organ
featuring Marilyn Brach ’24 (president), William Bundy, Jr. ’24, Ben Craig ’24, Naomi Dyer ’24 (secretary), Addison Johnson ’24, Samuel Lee ’24 (vice president), Matthew Marottolo ’24, Gabriela Seguinot ’24, Dante Soriano ’24, Mia Ver Pault ’24, Leah Winters ’24, Alexander Cacciato ’25, Danny Lenois ’25, Ben Rushton ’25, Sydney Smith ’25, Jensine Wagner ’25, Sydney Yu ’25, Grace Fangmann ’26, Amber Gray ‘’26, Nicholas Keim ’26, Zarina Stone ’26 (treasurer), Chris Yi ‘’26, Abigail Maiello ’27.
* Indicates a work composed specifically for The Chapel Singers.
I. WORKS BY ROBERT EDWARD SMITH (b. 1946)
Chapel Composer-in-Residence
1. Learning*
2. O Trinity of Blessed Light*
(Commissioned for the the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Trinity College)
3. Brightest and Best*
4. O Mortal Man*
5. Blessed City, Heavenly Salem*
(Commissioned for the Fiftieth Anniversary of Trinity College Chapel)
II. MUSIC BY TRINITY COMPOSERS
6. Evening Hymn
by DUDLEY BUCK (1939–1909), Class of 1859
7. Nothing Move Thee
by DOUGLAS BRUCE JOHNSON (b. 1949), Professor of Music, Emeritus
8. The Lord Bless You and Keep You*
by PATRICK GREENE ’07 (b. 1985)
9. He Shall Come Down Like Rain
by DUDLEY BUCK, Class of 1859
Marilyn Brach ’24, William Bundy, Jr. ’24, Matthew Marottolo ’24, Mia Ver Pault ’24, Jensine Wagner ’25, soloists
10. Good-bye*
by SAMUEL LEE ’24 (b. 2002)
III. SONGS OF TRINITY COLLEGE
11. Dear Old Trinity
Words by HENRY M. BELDEN, Class of 1888
Music by GEORGE SAFFORD WATERS, Class of 1887, arr. C. Houlihan
12. Hail To Thee, Trinity
Words by ELMER T. MERRILL, Professor of Latin
Music by WILLIAM B. DAVIS, Honorary Class of 1918, arr. R.E. Smith
13. The Blue and Gold of Trinity
Words and Music by WALTER S. TRUMBULL, Class of 1903, arr. R.E. Smith
14. Trinity College Centennial Hymn
Words and Music by ODELL SHEPARD, Professor of English, arr. C. Houlihan
15. ’Neath The Elms
Words and Melody by AUGUSTUS P. BURGWIN, arr. C. Houlihan
