Chapel Choir
The Chapel Choir of Trinity Hall is an accomplished consort of approximately 22 voices which is professionally trained, rehearsed and conducted by the Director of Music, Andrew Arthur.
The choir’s membership consists of undergraduate and postgraduate students – principally those at Trinity Hall – but also those from other colleges within the University. Occasionally, volunteers from outside of the University have also sung with the choir on a regular basis. Entry to the choir is by audition, either through the University’s Intercollegiate Choral Awards Scheme or, more informally, at the start of each academic year.
The choir ideally comprises some 6 sopranos, 6 altos, 5 tenors, and 5 basses; however, there are no fixed quotas as such and keen, committed singers are always welcomed. All members of the choir benefit from free singing lessons with one of the College’s superb visiting professional teachers: David Lowe, Charlotte Ives and Bradley Smith.
The choir sings to a very high standard and it is expected that all members make a full commitment to the choir’s activities; however, the relatively light schedule of rehearsals and services enables individuals also to participate in other activities, such as College and University sports teams, and stage or musical performances.
What we do
Regular services of Choral Evensong and Compline are sung in Trinity Hall Chapel on Sunday and Thursday evenings during Full Term, providing the main focus for the work of the choir and the two resident Undergraduate Organ Scholars. Within this context, a broad range of sacred music is undertaken, covering the typical ‘cathedral’ repertoire, from medieval plainchant to the present day, including works newly commissioned by the College.
A typical week
A typical weekly term-time schedule for the choir runs as follows:
Wednesdays
- 5.15pm-6.15pm: Sectional Rehearsal for Lower voices
- 6.20pm-7.20pm: Sectional Rehearsal for Upper voices
Thursdays
- 5.45pm-7.15pm – TUTTI Rehearsal, followed by a free informal supper
- 9.15pm: Sung Compline
Sundays
- 4pm-5.45pm – Rehearsal
- 6pm: Choral Evensong, followed by free Formal Dinner in Hall
Special performances, touring and recordings
Alongside this regular pattern of activity, the choir also sings for other important liturgical and College occasions throughout the year, as well as undertaking an annual foreign tour, recent destinations for which have included France, Germany, Italy, Belgium, Czech Republic and Malta.
In recent years, the choir has also recorded a number of critically acclaimed albums, combining forces with the College’s professional period-instrument Ensemble-in-Residence, Orpheus Britannicus and the viol consort Newe Vialles.
Alongside these commercial releases, the choir also makes a number of video-recordings which are released on the College’s YouTube Channel and elsewhere on social media.
“ Whether in terms of cultivating an enduring awareness of, and love for music, building personal confidence or instilling a strong sense of commitment, leadership and teamwork, singing in a chapel choir is surely one of the most rewarding and profitable experiences which Cambridge’s Collegiate life has to offer. ”
— Andrew Arthur, Director of Music
Supporters of Trinity Hall Chapel Choir
The Supporters of Trinity Hall Chapel Choir was launched in April 2015. The aim of the scheme is to encourage donations to support this fantastic cornerstone of musical life at Trinity Hall, providing funds for further development and educational opportunities and ensuring the longevity of the College’s current provision for Chapel music for many future generations of students.
There are opportunities to help fund an organ or choral scholarship, sponsor a future CD recording or concert in College and the opportunity to help students in financial difficulty with the costs associated with masterclasses and choir tours.
To find out more about the scheme or ways to support other musical activities at Trinity Hall, please contact the Development Director:
Email: development.director@trinhall.cam.ac.uk
Tel: +44 (0)1223 766345
