The Bicentennial Album: More Information
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
Robert Edward Smith has written music for vocal and instrumental ensembles of all sizes ranging from unaccompanied viola to symphony orchestra. He has been Composer-in-Residence at Trinity College Chapel since 1979 and taught harpsichord and continuo realization at the Hartt School, University of Hartford from 1992 to 2011. In 2002-2003 he served as Composer in Residence, St. John’s Memorial Chapel at Episcopal Divinity School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Recent works include Concerto for Harp and Strings, a concert overture ‘Diana, Queen and Huntress’ for symphony orchestra, ‘Trio d’Anches’ for oboe, clarinet and bassoon, the seven O Antiphons for chorus, oboe and string quartet, and ‘Lithuanian Rhapsody,’ a piece for symphony orchestra based on Lithuanian folk music. Smith’s chamber opera A Place of Beauty, based on the life of Isabella Stewart Gardner, was premiered in Boston in 2011, and was enthusiastically received. Mr. Smith was Director of the Trinity College Summer Chamber Music Series from 1998 to 2019.
1. Learning* (2000)
Words from Catonis Disticha (Distichs of Cato), 3rd or 4th Century C.E.
Translation by R.E. Smith
| Instrue praeceptis animum, ne discere cessa; Nam sine doctrina vita est quasi mortis imago.Multa legas facito, tum lectis neglege multa; Nam miranda canunt, sed non credenda poetae.Disce sed a doctis, indoctos ipse doceto: Propaganda etenim est rerum doctrina bonarum. Discere ne cessa; cura sapientia crescit, Rara datur longo prudentia temporis usu.Disce aliquid; nam cum subito Fortuna recessit, Ars* remanet vitamque hominis non deserit umquam. |
Build your mind with precepts, do not stop learning; For without learning, life is as it were, the reflection of death.See to it that you read much, then overlook much in what you have read; For poets sing of marvelous things, but are not to be believed.But learn from professors, and teach those who have not been taught; For the teaching of good things must be perpetuated.Do not stop learning; wisdom increases with nurturing, Prudence, a rare thing, is gained over the long use of time.Learn something; for when Fortune suddenly departs, Art* remains and never departs a person’s life. |
*“Ars” means art, but also learning in any other discipline, highly cultivated knowledge.
2. O Trinity of Blessed Light*
Commissioned for the the 175th Anniversary of the Founding of Trinity College
Words: Latin, 6th century, translated by John Mason Neale (1818-1866);
Stanza 3 by Charles Coffin (1676-1749), translated by John Chandler (1806-1876)
O Trinity of blessed light,
O Unity of princely might,
the fiery sun now goes his way;
shed thou within our hearts thy ray.
To thee our morning song of praise,
to thee our evening prayer we raise;
O grant us with thy saints on high
to praise thee through eternity.
To God the Father, heavenly Light,
to Christ revealed in earthly night,
to God the Holy Ghost we raise
our equal and unceasing praise.
3. Brightest and Best* (1980)
Words by Reginald Heber (1783–1826); Stanza 1, anonymous
Melody: Traditional American; first appearance in print, The Christian Lyre (1831), arranged by Deodatus Dutton, Washington College, Class of 1828.
Hail, the blest morn! See the Great Mediator
Down from the regions of glory descend!
Shepherds, go worship the babe in the manger;
Lo! for a guard the bright angels attend.
Brightest and best of the sons of the morning,
Dawn on our darkness, and lend us thine aid;
Star of the East, the horizon adorning,
Guide where the infant Redeemer is laid.
Say, shall we yield him, in costly devotion,
Odors of Edom and offerings divine;
Gems of the mountain, and pearls of the ocean,
Myrrh from the forest, and gold from the mine?
Brightest and best…
Vainly we offer each ample oblation;
Vainly with gifts would his favor secure:
Richer by far is the heart’s adoration;
Dearer to God are the prayers of the poor.
Brightest and best…
4. O Mortal Man* (1985)
Words: English traditional
Melody: Sussex Mummers’ Carol, English
O mortal man, remember well,
When Christ our Lord was born,
He was crucified between two thieves,
And crowned with the thorn,
And crowned with the thorn.
O mortal man, remember well,
When Christ died on the rood,
‘Twas for our sins and wicked ways
Christ shed His precious blood.
Christ shed His precious blood.
O mortal man, remember well,
When Christ was wrapped in clay;
He was taken to a sepulcher
Where no man ever lay,
Where no man ever lay.
5. Blessed City, Heavenly Salem*
Commissioned for the Fiftieth Anniversary of Trinity College Chapel
Words: Latin, ca. 7th century; Translation, Hymns Ancient and Modern, 1861, after
John Mason Neale (1818–1866), alt.
Melody: Urbs beata Jerusalem, plainsong, 13th century
Blessed city, heavenly Salem,
vision dear of peace and love,
who of living stones are builded
in the height of heaven above,
And by angel hosts encircled,
as a bride dost earthward move.
Christ is made the sure foundation,
Christ the head and corner-stone,
chosen of the Lord, and precious,
binding all the Church in one,
holy Sion’s help for ever,
and her confidence alone.
To this temple, where we call thee,
come, O Lord of Hosts, today;
with thy wonted loving-kindness
hear thy servants as they pray,
and thy fullest benediction
shed within its walls alway.
Laud and honor to the Father,
laud and honor to the Son,
laud and honor to the Spirit,
ever Three, and ever One,
consubstantial, co-eternal,
while unending ages run.
II. MUSIC BY TRINITY COMPOSERS
6. Evening Hymn
Words by Reginald Heber (1783–1826)
Music by Dudley Buck (1939–1909), Class of 1859;
from Six Anthems, op. 54, no. 6, published 1871
Dudley Buck was born in Hartford and attended Trinity from 1855–1858. He withdrew from college to pursue musical education in Leipzig and Paris, and upon his return to the United States became one of the country’s first virtuoso organists and a respected composer.
God, who madest earth and heaven,
darkness and light;
who the day for toil hast given,
for rest the night;
May thine angel guards defend us,
slumber sweet thy mercy send us;
holy dreams and hopes attend us,
this livelong night.
Guard us waking, guard us sleeping,
And when we die,
May we in thy mighty keeping
All peaceful lie;
When the last dread call shall wake us,
Do not thou, our God, forsake us,
But to reign in glory take us
With Thee on high. Amen.
7. Nothing Move Thee
Words by Teresa of Ávila (1515–1582)
Music by Douglas Bruce Johnson (b. 1949), Professor of Music, Emeritus
Douglas Bruce Johnson was born in Oakland, California in 1949, and grew up on the Pacific north coast. From 1970–72 he studied with composer Friedrich Neumann at the Hochschule fur Musik in Vienna, Austria. After earning the B.A. at Humboldt State University in 1974, he was active as a performer in chamber groups and orchestras. In the 1980’s he joined the Berkeley Symphony Orchestra under Kent Nagano, who commissioned his first large orchestral works. He earned the Ph.D. in Music at the University of California, Berkeley in 1989, working with Andrew Imbrie, Olly Wilson, and Michael Senturia. In 1988 he joined the Trinity music faculty, and earned tenure in 1995.
Nothing move thee;
Nothing terrify thee;
Everything passes;
God never changes.
Patience be all to thee.
Who trusts in God,
Never shall be needy.
God alone suffices.
8. The Lord Bless You and Keep You*
Words: Numbers 6:24-26
Music by Patrick Greene ’07 (b. 1985)
Commissioned by John Rose, Director of Chapel Music, Emeritus
A composer, singer, and sound designer, Patrick Greene is a “rising star of the composing world” (Boston Classical Review). Hailed by The New York Times as a composer of “enticing” works, Mr. Greene’s music has been described as “shimmering” (New Music Box), “unearthly” (The New York Times), and constructed with “true musicality” (Boston Musical Intelligencer). Outside of music, Patrick works for Oxfam, an international NGO. He also co-hosts the Perfect Organism, Shoulder of Orion, and Just Winging It podcasts. He lives with his wife and their two sons in New England.
The Lord bless you, and keep you:
The Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious unto you:
The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you, and give you peace.
9. He Shall Come Down Like Rain
Words: Psalm 72
Music by Dudley Buck, from Six Anthems, op. 53, no. 4, published in 1871
Marilyn Brach ’24, William Bundy, Jr. ’24, Matthew Marottolo ’24, Mia Ver Pault ’24, Jensine Wagner ’25, soloists
He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass,
like showers that water the earth.
In His days shall the righteous flourish,
and abundance of peace so long the moon endureth.
His name shall endure forever,
and men shall be blessed in him.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel.
And blessed be His glorious name forever,
and let the whole earth be filled with His glory;
Amen, and Amen.
10. Good-bye*
Music by Samuel Lee ’24 (b. 2002)
Words from ‘To Jennie,’ Samuel Clemens (1835–1910)
Good-bye! a kind good-bye,
I bid you now, my friend,
And though ’tis sad to speak the word,
To destiny I bend
And though it be decreed by Fate
That we ne’er meet again,
Your image, graven on my heart,
Forever shall remain.
Aye, in my heart thoult have a place,
Among the friends held dear,—
Nor shall the hand of Time efface
The memories written there.
Goodbye.
III. SONGS OF TRINITY COLLEGE
11. Dear Old Trinity
Words by Henry M. Belden (1857–1954), Class of 1888
Music by George Safford Waters (1864–1938), Class of 1887
Arr. Christopher Houlihan ’09
Henry M. Belden was “a pioneer in the study of Missouri balladry and song” and taught at the University of Missouri from 1895 to 1936. He was especially recognized for his “study of broadside and Native American balladry… Because of his broad interest in documenting all aspects of the oral culture in the state, many songs relating to Missouri history were preserved through his work.” — Rebecca B. Schroeder, www.missouriencyclopedia.org.
Safford Waters was known to Trinity students as “the author of ‘Dear Old Trinity,’ ‘There’s a College on the Hill,’ and ‘Trinity’… He was an accomplished writer of songs, both words and music, and produced several operettas.”—Trinity College Bulletin, July 1938.
Come sing a song of college days at Trinity,
Days when life is free from annoy,
And all the hours that quickly pass are winged with glee,
Freighted all with joy;
Here we meet when day is done and tasks are o’re,
When the shadows stretch from Northam door,
And our voices join in merriment once more,
Singing songs of Trinity.
Freshmen, Soph’mores, Juniors come and go,
Seniors pass reluctant and slow,
After years can bring no joy we know,
Like life at Trinity.
And when the years have fled away and we must go
Forth to meet what fate may decree,
We’ll say farewell but ne’er forget, Come weal, come woe,
Dear old Trinity.
College days draw swiftly, swiftly to an end,
But through all the ills our fates may send,
We will cheer our path whatever way it tend,
With a song of Trinity.
Trinity! a song to thee we’ll sing,
Loud and free our chorus shall ring,
’Till thy hills and halls the echoes fling:
Dear old Trinity.
12. Hail To Thee, Trinity
Words by Elmer T. Merrill, Professor of Latin, 1905–1908
Music by William B. Davis (1871-1937), Honorary Master of Arts, Class of 1918
Arr. Robert Edward Smith
W.B. Davis directed the Trinity College Glee Club for several years in the early 20th century, and edited or assisted in the first two printings of “The Songs of Trinity College” (1908 and 1915). A graduate of Wesleyan, he composed the music for that university’s Alma Mater, “Come Raise the Song.” He was awarded an honorary Master of Arts by Trinity College in 1918.
There’s a fair and stately College
Built upon a rocky hill,
Lifting high its roofs and turrets
Where the breezes have their will:
Eastward looks it t’ward the dawning,
Welcoming the coming day,
Westward t’ward the hills of sunset
And the ages past away.
Hail, hail to thee, dear Trinity
Fair Alma Mater, ever young!
Gathered together, all thy sons today
Raise to thee the proud acclaim
of heart and tongue.
Underneath its spreading portals
And within its oaken doors,
Throngs of lusty youngsters mingle
As in all the days before,
And they learn the same old lessons,
And they play the same old plays,
And they cluster neath the elm trees
Singing Alma Mater’s praise.
Hail, hail to thee, dear Trinity…
13. The Blue and Gold of Trinity
Words and Music by Walter S. Trumbull (1880–1961), Class of 1903
Arr. Robert Edward Smith
Awarded a citation in 1952 as “the alumnus most distinguished in interpretation of the ideal of sports,” Trumbull was known as the author of the “Sportsman’s Code,” the motto of the College’s physical education program. He was a sports editor, syndicated columnist, radio commentator, and motion picture executive—Trinity College Bulletin, November 1952.
Fair Harvard’s men hold dear the Crimson
And all their faith to it belongs,
The dark Blue means to sons of Eli
College traditions, stories, songs.
The Red and Black of Wesleyana
Will rouse her sons to exploits bold,
But we of Trinity hold dearest
Our battle flag of Blue and Gold.
Whether athletic field or classroom
May prove the setting for the strife,
Or whether, college days behind us,
We fight the cares of after life,
The Blue and Gold will be the standard
That leads us on to victory,
Symbol of Faith, Truth, Courage, Honor
And all we learn at Trinity.
14. Trinity College Centennial Hymn
Words and Music by Odell Shepard (1884–1967), Goodwin Professor of English, 1917–1946
Arr. Christopher Houlihan ’09
“The first ceremony of the Centennial celebration, and the real Centennial Day, was observed by a special service in the chapel on Sunday, May 13… Among the special features of the service were… the first rendition of the Trinity College Centennial Hymn, both the words and music of which were written by Professor Odell Shepard.”—The Tripod, May 19, 1923, vol. XIV, no. 22.
For many years following its premiere, this hymn was sung at major college occasions, including commencement. In addition to teaching English at the College, Shepard served as Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut from 1941 to 1943. He won the Pulitzer Prize for a Biography or Autobiography in 1938 for Pedlar’s Progress: The Life of Bronson Alcott.
Again we lift our song of praise
To her who lightens all our ways
And sends a splendor far abroad
Along the future’s darkling road.
Life holds for us no brighter hours
Than these beneath her clustered tow’rs,
No holier shrine of memory,
No dearer name than Trinity.
Where ever evil things are slain
By flaming heart and eager brain
Her bivouac1 fires are blazing bright
Upon the borders of the night.
Wherever God’s great mandate runs
She counts the tally of her sons
Embattled, armed in panoply,
Beneath the name of Trinity.
What are the seasons stealing by
Across the dial of the sky,
What are the drifting years to her
Whom naught can hasten or defer?
She smiles at time. Her pilgrimage
Proceeds from changing age to age.
Our names will fade. Eternally
Endures the name of Trinity.
O Thou whose loving care appears
In our two hundred wondrous years,2
May Thy great arm support and stay
Our steps along the onward way.
Exalt our love, make strong for good
The bonds of our broad brotherhood,
Preserving everlastingly
The holy name of Trinity.
————————————————————————————————
1 A temporary camp site or shelter
2 Originally, “In our victorious hundred years.”
15. ’Neath The Elms
Trinity College Alma Mater
Words and Melody by Augustus P. Burgwin, Class of 1882 (1860–1932)
Arr. Christopher Houlihan ’09
’Neath the elms of our old Trinity,
’Neath the elms of our dear old Trinity,
No more shall we meet our classmates to greet,
’Neath the elms of our old Trinity,
On the hills of our old Trinity,
In the halls of our dear old Trinity,
There is bright merry cheer, there are friends true and dear,
’Neath the elms of our old Trinity,
College days are from care and sorrow free,
And oft will we seek in memory
those days that are past, far too joyous to last
’Neath the elms of our old Trinity,
Then we’ll sing to our old Trinity,
to our dear old Alma Mater Trinity,
We’re together today, And tomorrow away,
Far away from our old Trinity.
