Welcome to the choirs of Trinity Church, an Episcopal parish with a music tradition of joy and excellence in God’s service.
Cast in the form of the English cathedral choral tradition, Trinity’s Choirs have been a vibrant part of the life of this church for more than 150 years. Our choirs seek to participate in and transform worship through the transcendent power of music. We sing music from around the world and across the centuries, from Anglican and Gregorian chant, to pieces by Thomas Tallis, J.S. Bach, and contemporary composers like Sarah MacDonald and Herbert Howells.
Trinity’s music ministry has several choirs: ABC Choir (grades PreK-2), Treble Choir (boys grades 3-8, girls grades 3-12), Schola Choir (boys grades 9-12, parents, professional ATBs), Adult Choir (semi-professional adult SATB choir with mix of volunteers and professional section leaders), and Compline Choir (primarily professional singers).
The choirs join together for larger services, including Evensongs, services of Lessons & Carols for Advent and for Christmas, and a full Requiem performance annually for All Souls’ Day. An annual tradition is our Festival Service of Lessons & Carols for Christmas with brass and organ in Princeton University Chapel. In recent years, the choirs of Trinity have performed the Requiem settings of Gabriel Fauré, Maurice Duruflé, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Johannes Brahms.
The choirs also take performing tours within the US and Europe. In August of 2026, the choirs will go on tour to Westminster Abbey and Ely Cathedral in England. Past tours have brought the choirs of Trinity to Washington National Cathedral, St. Thomas Church on 5th Ave in New York City, and many cathedrals throughout England.
Trinity’s music ministry includes organ recitals, a carillon, programs with the Sunday School, and performance opportunities for choristers studying musical instruments. The choir program interacts with all aspects of the life of the church, including its outreach, evangelism, and Christian education and service.
We believe God’s love is expansive and unconditional and that, through Christ, God has called us to love one another as God loves us. We welcome all people, regardless of gender, race, age, culture, ethnic background, sexual orientation, economic circumstances, family configuration, or difference of ability. We celebrate the worth, dignity, and gifts of every person as a child of God and invite all into the full life of the church.
Adult Choir
As its name indicates, this choir consists of adults singing soprano, alto, tenor and bass, supported by a professional octet. The adult choir enjoys continual musical instruction at a professional level, as well as the rich sense of collaboration and community that is fostered by singing alongside other parishioners and musicians of all ages. This choir sings biweekly and at Evensong once a month. Adults rehearse on Wednesdays from 6:15-8pm.
Lifting every voice, especially those of children and youth, Trinity’s music program is rare in its breadth and depth. Its members grow as musicians as they participate in the fullness of Christian formation by leading our worship in song. Cost-free instruction for the treble program is based on the curriculum of the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) and builds the foundations of vocal performance: music theory, sight-singing, music notation, and vocal technique. In acknowledgement of their developing professionalism, children and youth receive a stipend for singing at services.
Treble Choir
Treble choir is open to girls grade 3–12 and boys grades 3–8, or as their voices change. Singers in this choir attend rehearsals twice a week and provide music for at least three services monthly with the Schola Choir. Choristers learn sight-singing, vocal production and technique in a variety of languages, and they learn performance skills in a setting that promotes practice, teamwork, and leadership. Trebles also participate in the Voice for Life RSCM America program, which provides cost-free group instruction in vocal training and music theory outside of regular rehearsal times. This choir sings biweekly (September through mid-June) and at Evensong on the fourth Sunday of the month.
Schola Choir
Joining the Treble Choir, the Schola Choir teens, professional adults, and parents of choristers provide the alto, tenor, and bass voice parts. This choir sings biweekly and at Evensong once a month. Schola rehearses on Thursdays from 6:15–8pm.
ABC Choir
This choir provides an opportunity for children in pre-kindergarten through second grade to become familiar with the basics of choral singing, including matching pitch, rhythm, and basic musicianship. They generally sing on the first Sunday of the month. The ABC Choir is led by Annie Bryson and rehearses on Thursdays from 4:45-5:30pm.
Music Lists
Special Music Events
Sunday, November 1 at 5:00 p.m.
Mozart Requiem in context of Requiem Mass for All Souls' Day
Featuring the Choirs of Trinity Church Princeton with Orchestra and Organ
33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Sunday, November 29 at 10:30 a.m.
Johann Sebastian Bach's Cantata “Wachet! betet! betet! wachet!”, BWV 70 in context of Holy Eucharist service
Featuring the Schola Choir of Trinity Church Princeton with Orchestra and Organ
33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Sunday, November 29 at 5:00 p.m.
Service of Lessons & Carols for Advent
Including music by Giovanni Pierluigi da Palestrina, Juan Esquivel, Ghislaine Reece-Trapp, Cecilia McDowall, John Tavener, Jan Sandström, and more.
Featuring the Choirs of Trinity Church Princeton
33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Sunday, December 27 at 11:00 a.m. (prelude at 10:30 a.m.)
Service of Nine Lessons & Carols for Christmas
Including a world premiere of a newly commissioned work by Margaret Burk, as well as music by David Wilcocks, Errollyn Wallen, Jan Sandström, Lucy Walker, John Rutter, Rosephanye Powell, Tamsin Jones, and much more.
Featuring the Choirs of Trinity Church Princeton with Organ and Brass Ensemble
Princeton University Chapel
Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Wednesday, January 6 at 5:00 p.m.
Holy Eucharist for the Feast of the Epiphany
Including music by Renaissance masters of counterpoint.
Featuring Staff Singers of Trinity Church Princeton
33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Sunday, February 21 at 5:00 p.m.
Concert: François Couperin’s “Leçons de Ténèbres”
Featuring sopranos Maddy Kushan and Noël McCormick, as well as Arnie Tanimoto on viol da gamba, Kevin Payne on Theorbo, and Margaret Harper on organ.
33 Mercer Street, Princeton, NJ 08540
Free and open to the public
Choral Evensong will be offered on the following dates at 5:00 p.m.:
October 4, October 18, November 15, January 17, February 7, February 21, March 7, April 18, May 2, May 16
Choral Compline will be offered on the following dates at 5:00 p.m.:
September 20, September 27, October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22, December 6, January 10, January 25, January 31, February 28, March 14, April 11, April 25, May 9, May 23
