Ensembles
Trinity’s innovative music program offers a broad range of expertise, an extensive and growing discography, and a long tradition of championing underrepresented composers.
Trinity Choir
With peerless interpretation of both early and new music, Trinity Choir has redefined the realm of 21st-century vocal music. In 2023 and 2024, the choir was featured in two world premiere oratorios: Luna Pearl Woolf’s Number Our Days and Benedict Sheehan’s Akathist. Other recent highlights include Trinity’s yearly performances of Handel’s Messiah (with soloists from the choir); a production of Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard; Shall We Gather at the River, directed by Peter Sellars; and Tyshawn Sorey’s Monochromatic Light (Afterlife). Trinity’s long-term commitment to new music has led to many collaborations with living composers. Trinity Choir is featured in recordings of three works that went on to win the Pulitzer Prize for Music: Julia Wolfe’s Anthracite Fields, Du Yun’s Angel’s Bone, and Ellen Reid’s p r i s m.
Trinity Baroque Orchestra
Praised for its dramatic vigor and elegantly shaped orchestral sound, Trinity Church’s superb period instrument ensemble, Trinity Baroque Orchestra, has been heard in venues from New York’s Alice Tully Hall and Caramoor Center for Music and the Arts to Berkeley’s Zellerbach Hall and Montreal’s Salle Bourgie Hall. Boasting a varied roster of North America’s finest period instrument players, the orchestra is widely recognized as a compelling interpreter of Baroque and early music. A cornerstone of Trinity’s popular Bach at One series, Trinity Baroque Orchestra also features annually in Trinity’s critically acclaimed performances of Handel’s Messiah, which The New York Times declared to be “the gold standard.” The orchestra can be heard alongside Trinity Choir on Trinity’s recording of Handel’s Israel in Egypt, which was nominated for a Grammy Award.
NOVUS
Trinity Church’s groundbreaking new-music ensemble, NOVUS, is a key player on the contemporary music scene. Renowned for its innovative programming that asks audiences to grapple with vital social issues, NOVUS in 2023 launched its Renewal series focused on prison reform and climate change. This season, NOVUS presents Renewal: Shelter, which explores the challenges of being unhoused in America and includes the New York premiere of Gabriel Kahane’s compelling piece emergency shelter intake form. At the PROTOTYPE Festival, NOVUS and Trinity Church partnered with Beth Morrison Projects to develop several major new works, including two that won the Pulitzer Prize for Music: Ellen Reid’s p r i s m and Du Yun’s Angel’s Bone. NOVUS has featured in two world premiere oratorios: Luna Pearl Woolf’s Number Our Days and Benedict Sheehan’s Akathist.
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 made its Carnegie Hall debut in 2022 with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by JoAnn Falletta. Other recent performances include the New York premiere of Reena Esmail’s Malhaar: A Requiem for Water, Carl Orff’s Carmina Burana, Luna Pearl Woolf’s Number Our Days, and Benedict Sheehan’s Akathist. 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.
Trinity Youth Chorus
Currently celebrating its 20th season, Trinity Youth Chorus brings together talented young people ages 5 to 18 from across New York City. Choristers receive individual and group training in vocal technique, music theory, sight-reading, and performance skills. They provide musical leadership for various worship services and offer concerts throughout the season, often performing with Trinity’s professional ensembles. Recent highlights include a performance for the Perelman Performing Arts Center’s Refuge series, Gustav Mahler’s Symphony No. 8 at Carnegie Hall, Luna Pearl Woolf’s Number Our Days, and Benedict Sheehan’s Akathist. Trinity Youth Chorus has sung backup for Josh Groban, the Rolling Stones, and Bobby McFerrin and has been heard on CBS’s The Early Show.
St. Paul’s Chapel Choir
St. Paul’s Chapel Choir brings together people who love to sing and who want to be part of a warm and welcoming community. This volunteer ensemble of sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses, led by Thomas McCargar, gives singers the opportunity to make music together during weekly rehearsals and monthly services at Trinity Church. The choir sings a variety of liturgical choral repertoire, from traditional Anglican anthems to classical and contemporary music, and often sings alongside members of Trinity Choir.
Subscribe for Music Updates
Receive a weekly newsletter highlighting the latest concert information, announcements, news, and more.