Downtown Voices

Praised by The New York Times for its “incisive, agile strength,” Downtown Voices is a semiprofessional choir conducted by Stephen Sands. Downtown Voices has performed works by Reena Esmail, Ludwig van Beethoven, Johannes Brahms, Sergei Rachmaninoff, Arvo Pärt, Anton Webern, Alberto Ginastera, Leoš Janáček, James MacMillan, and Philip Glass. The choir was recently featured in two world premieres: Luna Pearl Woolf’s Number Our Days at the Perelman Performing Arts Center and Benedict Sheehan’s oratorio Akathist, which was recorded alongside Trinity Choir, Artefact Ensemble, Trinity Youth Chorus, and NOVUS. Downtown Voices made its Carnegie Hall debut in 2022 with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta for the Lukas Foss Centennial Celebration.   

Other recent performances include the New York premiere of Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana at the Ross Farm, and Beethoven’s Symphony No. 9 at the Church of St. Paul & St. Andrew. At Trinity Church, the choir has performed at Compline by Candlelight and headlined numerous marquee concerts. Downtown Voices has been featured with Andrea Bocelli and can be heard on the epic recording Philip Glass: Symphony No. 5, released by Orange Mountain Music, as well as Benedict Sheehan’s Akathist on the Bright Shiny Things label. 

Music A holiday tradition featuring carols and seasonal favorites December 21, 2024 Trinity Church

Sing, Choirs of Angels: Holiday Sing-Along

Trinity presents its annual holiday extravaganza of carols and other festive works.

Music A holiday tradition featuring carols and seasonal favorites December 21, 2024 Trinity Church

Sing Choirs of Angels: Holiday Sing-Along

Trinity presents its annual holiday extravaganza of carols and other festive works.

Anthems

Downtown Voices and the NOVUS NY string quartet presented works by Undine Smith Moore, Jessie Montgomery, Jenni Brandon, and David Lang in selections that explore composers' takes on an “anthem,” or a song that represents ideals.

Downtown Voices Concert on April 24, 2022

Lux Aeterna

Lux Aeterna celebrates the persistence of light through times of darkness. Downtown Voices presented this illuminating spring concert with masterpiece requiems of solace and beauty by Duruflé and Fauré.

Downtown Voices singing Beethoven's Mass in C in St. Paul's Chapel

Beethoven Mass in C

In celebration of Beethoven’s 250th birthday, Downtown Voices performed his tranquil yet dramatic Mass in C, plus Brahms’ Geistliches Lied and Zwei Motetten, Op. 74.

Downtown Voices singing Lessons and Carols in St. Paul's Chapel

Festival of Lessons and Carols

A cherished holiday tradition for congregations around the world, the service of Lessons and Carols for Advent tells the Christmas story through readings and musical illuminations.

Downtown Voices singing Part and Poulenc in St. Paul's Chapel

Pärt and Poulenc

This concert features iconic works of two of the most compelling and influential composers of the 20th century: Arvo Pärt and Francis Poulenc.

Downtown Voices singing Carmina Burana in St. Paul's Chapel

Carl Orff's Carmina Burana

At their final concert of the season, Downtown Voices and NOVUS NY performed two folklore-inspired works written in 1937: Orff’s epic Carmina Burana and Bartok’s Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion.

Rehearsals

Downtown Voices rehearses on Wednesday evenings, 6:30–9pm, with occasional rehearsals extending to 9:30pm, from September through June at Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel in Lower Manhattan. Choir members must attend at least 80% of rehearsals and are required to attend all dress rehearsals and concerts. Please contact the chorus manager if you have questions.

Contact

If you would like more information about Downtown Voices, please contact the Chorus Manager at dtvtws@gmail.com.

Testimonials from Downtown Voices Singers

“Downtown Voices is the group I've been looking for for years -- one in which I feel challenged without feeling left behind. Every rehearsal with the Trinity professionals is like a master class.”

“The collaboration with The Choir of Trinity Wall Street has been an incredibly rewarding and enriching aspect of being in this group. It's amazing to have the opportunity to sing alongside some of the most talented and accomplished choral singers in New York City.”

“The repertoire performed by Downtown Voices has been incredibly fulfilling for me to sing. It is challenging, diverse, exciting, and innovative. The performance quality and collaboration opportunities with Trinity's instrumental ensembles are outstanding. Being able to rehearse in Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel has been inspiring and extremely rewarding, especially having grown up visiting and admiring these two spaces. I could not be more grateful or happy to be a part of Downtown Voices.”

Hear More Testimonials

Image of Downtown Voices member Sarah Merten