The Chapel is perennially a hub of enriching musical events for the campus and Greater Hartford communities, and the fall 2024 semester was no exception.
November’s “Lunchtime Thursday” concert featured a recital by members of the Trinity Organ Studio (eight students enrolled in for-credit, private organ lessons with Christopher Houlihan). These monthly performances have earned a dedicated following of students, faculty, staff, and especially community members, all of whom enjoy a free lunch in the Chapel during a recital by Ellen Dickinson, college carillonist. A highlight of next year’s organ series is the Annual Clarence Watters Memorial Recital, performed by Alcée Chriss of Wesleyan University on Tuesday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m.
In addition to weekly Sunday services, The Chapel Singers offered three services of Choral Evensong on Wednesdays throughout the semester. They were also invited to sing the alma mater at the public announcement of the college’s next president, Daniel Lugo. Preparing for the ever-popular Christmas Festival of Lessons and Carols is a major accomplishment, and the choir was accompanied this year by three student organists, a student timpanist, and a professional string quartet. The group enjoys documenting their activities on Instagram (@thechapelsingers) and looks forward to the release of their new recording in 2025, “The Bicentennial Album.”
Heralded by a front-page article in the Hartford Courant, the 27th Annual Albert Schweitzer Organ Festival Hartford was a major event of the fall semester. (“A small CT college features a big instrument. It’s bringing in more students” 20 September 2024.) In residence at Trinity since 2016, ASOFH brings distinction to the college by presenting one of the country’s most prestigious performance competitions for young organists. A rare feature of this year’s festival was two performances by the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Carolyn Kuan (HSO music director), featuring Christopher Houlihan as organ soloist. The concert included Ralph Vaughan William’s Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis (for string orchestra), the organ concerto by American composer Howard Hanson, and Alexandre Guilmant’s Symphony No. 1 for organ and orchestra. Trinity’s pipe organ is a musical gem of the region, and the pairing with Connecticut’s premier orchestra made for a sonically spectacular experience. The festival drew international attention, especially for the livestreamed, biennial Young Professional Competition during which three finalists competed for $29,000 of prizes to further their musical education and budding careers. The prizes were awarded by a distinguished jury of three visiting organists, with an additional prize decided by the in-person audience. The orchestra concerts drew crowds from the Greater Hartford and campus communities, with free tickets available to Trinity students.
The Chapel was home to varied other musical activities, including weekly rehearsals of Trinity College Gospel Choir; experimental-music concerts hosted by WRTC in the crypt chapel; rehearsals and performances of student a cappella groups; a concert presented by a first-year seminar; and countless hours (at all hours!) of student organ practice.
Christopher Houlihan
John Rose Distinguished College Organist, Director of Chapel Music, and Artist-in-Residence
