Visiting Choir Ministry

Thank you for your interest in performing at Trinity Church-St. Paul's Chapel. Each year we welcome hundreds of school choirs and other musicians from around the world to perform for informal recitals or to provide music for our church services.

The following times are usually available for visiting choirs:

Generally, choirs should reserve a date and time 2 months in advance. The easiest way to do this is to have your tour coordinator or music director contact us (via e-mail) and fill-out the following form. Within two weeks, we will provide confirmation or rejection of your request.

We do not have a budget for advertising, however - we are able to include your visit on our websites and are able to include your visit in our regular weekly announcement sheets distributed to the parishes. No fees or donations may be collected for performances and the audience cannot be estimated, as it will vary according to the number of visitors present at the time. Please understand that scheduled event times may change if in the event of a wedding or funeral or some other Trinity-St. Paul's event.

With all good wishes,

If you choir is interested in singing for the 9 a.m. Trinity Church Sunday Eucharist or 12:05 p.m. Weekday Eucharist at Trinity Church, please read the following information:

• Sacred music is required for the 12:05 p.m. service.
• Sacred music should be sung in the context of the Christian liturgical year (for example: no Alleluia's sung in Lent)!
• Provide a brief biographical sentence for the announcements. This may include information about the choir, director, and accompanist.
• If providing an accompanist/organist, he/she will need help with the organ; setting pistons, registrations, getting used to the instrument. Trinity provides an organist for the actual service (playing of hymns, etc.) unless prior arrangements are made.
• Arrive to the church by 11 a.m. or earlier so as to rehearse/warm-up in the choir room and organize for the service.
• Generally, piano accompaniments do not work well in the church, due to the distance of the choir and the piano. Please try for a cappella or organ accompaniment.
• Inform security officials located in the church that you are here to sing for service, they will escort you to the choir room or the chancel of the church.
• If choristers have backpacks, purses, robes precede to the choir room.
• The choir sings from the Sanctuary/Chancel. If there are more than 50 singers, seating will need to be made in the pews. The choir will move into singing position in front of the Sanctuary/Chancel on the broad step.
• Choir should be in place ready to sing by 11:55 a.m.
• The choir and/or organist should provide 5-10 minutes of prelude music to begin at 11:55 a.m. and ending at 12:05 p.m. sharp.
• A hymn is usually sung during the service. Copies of the hymn can be sent a week prior to the service for the choir's review (if needed). If not, a hymnal will be provided for each chorister to sing the hymn during the service.
• The choir should provide an offertory piece of 2-3 minutes (accompanied or not as you wish).
• The choir should provide a communion piece of 2-3 minutes (accompanied or not as you wish).
• All are invited to receive communion. Communion should be received before the singing of the communion piece. The location for receiving communion is at the front of the broad step in a single-file line. Prior to the beginning of service, instructions on receiving communion will be given to the choir by a Trinity Verger.
• The choir and/or organist should provide a postlude of 5-10 minutes.
• The service ends by 12:45 p.m.
• If a tour of Trinity is scheduled, the choir can tour Trinity immediately after the service (20 minutes max.)

For more information and/or questions, contact Trinity's Assistant Organist, Robert Ridgell at rridgell@trinitywallstreet.org

If your choir is interested in singing for the 10 a.m. St. Paul's Sunday Eucharist, please read the following information:

• Sacred music is required for the 10:00 a.m. Sunday service.
• Sacred music should be sung in the context of the Christian liturgical year (for example: no Alleluia's sung in Lent).
• Provide a brief biographical sentence for the bulletin and announcements. This may include information about the choir, director, and accompanist.
• Please plan to use the grand piano for accompaniment or sing a cappella. St. Paul's provides musical leadership for the actual service (playing of hymns, etc.).
• Arrive at the church by 9:15 a.m. to rehearse/warm-up and organize for the service.
• There is no choir room at St. Paul's or space for changing into choir robes. Please plan to dress appropriately for church and for the rest of your tour day.
• Inform security officials located in the church that you are here to sing for the Sunday service.
• The choir will be seated as part of the congregation and will sing from there.
• Hymns and other music is sung during the service. Copies of the music will be sent at least three weeks prior to the service for the choir's review and preparation. The congregation is encouraged to sing parts so your support is appreciated. The music will be printed in the bulletin.
• The choir should provide an offertory piece of 2-3 minutes (accompanied or not as you wish).
• The choir should provide a communion piece of 2-3 minutes (accompanied or not as you wish).
• All are invited to receive communion. Communion should be received before the singing of the communion piece. All are invited to receive communion in a circle around the altar in the center of the room.
• The choir may sing a 15 minute concert following the service.
• The service ends by 11:00 a.m.

For more information and/or questions, contact St. Paul's Chapel, Music Director, Marilyn Haskel at mhaskel@trinitywallstreet.org