* Indicates that publication is permanently out of print. Contact Bruce for permission to copy and perform.
** Indicates the publication is out of print. Contact Bruce to purchase octavos.
Alone/Together TTBB, solo tenor or alto and piano. (7 minutes) Yelton Rhodes YR4905
Lyric pop/jazz anthem with inspiring text by Jason Charnesky, commissioned by the Harrisburg Men’s Chorus for their 10th anniversary in 1997. Great showpiece for the favorite belter friend of the choir.
View score sample. Listen to midi.
Brennan on the Moor Irish folksong arranged for TTBB and piano. Alfred Publishing 37921
Alfred tells us: This Irish folk song tells the story of a rollicking highwayman named Willie Brennan. Ah, the frisky lad. Some say his spirit rides on, fearless and undaunted. The ultimate men's feature, complete with a full-sounding accompaniment.
View full score. Listen to a few measures.
Five Latin American Folksongs Arranged for TB and piano. Recordings at Carl Fischer sites.
The first two of a set of five popular folk songs from Latin America, this choral includes a song from Mexico followed by a Portuguese folk song from Brazil. The music is expertly adapted for young male voices accompanied by a beautifully designed keyboard part. This is wonderful material for the gentlemen in the choir.
3. Una tarde fresquita de Mayo View score and listen.The third item in this set of Latin American gems is a more recent song, thought to have its origin near the end of the 19th century. This version is set for three-part male ensemble, with a harmonically and rhythmically delightful keyboard part.
4. Alla en el rancho grande View score and listen.This Spanish language song is from the Southwestern United States and is one of the best- known cowboy songs. The Latin American flavor of the piece is greatly enhanced by the subtle harmony of the keyboard part.
5. Corrido de Macario Romero View score and listen. The final song in this set of Latin American folk songs for male voices is a narrative ballad about the exploits and death of a soldier, Macario Romero. As is typical of the corrido (a narrative, ballad form), the song has many verses climaxing with the five shots that end Romero's life. This is a chillingly effective setting of a poignant tale.
*Harvest Due Secular anthem for TTBB and piano. Lawson-Gould 70679
The lead anthem, from the 1976 Bicentennial Wagon Train Show,. with lyrics by Roger Cornish (1934-2000). On the recording the solo is sung magnificently by perhaps the finest baritone soloist ever in the Penn State Glee Club, Doug Smith (1950-2002). Listen and view TTBB score and words. Download TTBB score.
*Hush, Little Baby American folksong arranged for TTBB unaccompanied. Lawson-Gould 70661
This, my very first choral arrangement, was made for the then all male Notes and Keys of the Columbia University Glee Club. It was also my first publication. It takes a chromatic dramatic turn on the traditional lullaby with arrangement driven by the ballad elements of the folk text. Wikipedia: "Hush, Little Baby is a traditional lullaby, thought to have been written in the Southern United States. The lyrics promise various rewards to the child for remaining quiet. The simple structure allows more verses to be added ad lib”.
Hush, little baby, don’t say a word.
Papa’s gonna buy you a mocking bird.
If that mocking bird don’t sing,
Papa’s gonna buy you a diamond ring. . . . .
Download score.
It Chanced When I Was Walking Irish folksong arranged for TBB. Carl Fischer CM 9111
From The Minstrelsy of Ireland (1897) by Alfred Edward Moffat (1866 –1950). Carl Fischer tells us: This delightful Irish folk song has been skillfully arranged for TBB voices by Bruce Trinkley, and is well-suited for ensembles of any size. There is also an opportunity for a featured soloist. High School and above. (2:04)
View full score and listen.
*Ludwig's Männerchor Four Choruses by Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) edited for TTBB and piano. Lawson-Gould This collection brings together in a performing edition shorter choral works edited and arranged for men’s voices. Although intended as a set, the pieces may be performed separately.
1. Drinking Song (Punschlied) WoO 111 Lawson-Gould 52987 Contact Bruce for the score. Drinking Song is Beethoven’s sole contribution to the ubiquitous and cherished German männerchor tradition.
2. Parting Song (Abschiedgesang) WoO 102 Lawson-Gould 52988 Download the score. Download notes.Beethoven wrote the elegant and moving Parting Song for the farewell party of Dr. Leopold Weiss, who was leaving Vienna. This drinking song in three parts salutes Ganymede, the wine pourer for the Greek gods.
3. Come Fill, Fill, My Good Fellow (Trinklied) From Twenty-five Scottish Songs Op.108, No. 13 Lawson-Gould 52989 Download score. Come Fill, Fill, My Good Fellow is a rollicking Scottish drinking song and one of the most tuneful of the many folk songs of the British Isles that Beethoven arranged for publication.
4. Song of Union (Bundeslied) Opus 122 (text by Goethe) Lawson-Gould 52990 Download score. Song of Union is one of the finest of Beethoven's shorter choral works, with a text by Goethe, translated into English.
*March and Chorus (Schubert) Opera chorus edited for TTBB and piano. Lawson-Gould 52984
Comic chorus in German and English (translation by Jason Charnesky) from the singspiel
The Conspirators (Die Verschworenen) by Franz Schubert (1797-1828). The libretto is based on the play Lysistrata by the ancient Greek playwright Aristophanes about male-female relations in times of war. Download score.
Our warring days are through.
We bid them fond adieu.
We fought with saber, blade and gun;
We fought, sometimes we even won.
As the hawk pursues the dove,
We now forswear our martial arts,
We heed the promises of love.
. . . . A knight’s a noble valiant son,
And when his day’s brave deeds are done,
He’s earned a good night’s sleep . . . . .
Orpheus with His Lute For TBB and piano. Poem by William Shakespeare (1564-1616). Hinshaw 1656
Also available in SAB (HMC1657). Trinkley’s lovely lyrical setting captures the eloquence and drama of the famous Shakespeare poem. The piece requires skilled singers and a proficient accompanist as the piano part is quite challenging.. View sample pages. Listen to the Penn State Glee Club.
Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountain tops that freeze
Bow themselves when he did sing:
To his music plants and flowers
Ever sprung; as sun and showers
There had made a lasting spring.
Every thing that heard him play,
Even the billows of the sea,
Hung their heads and then lay by.
In sweet music is such art,
Killing care and grief of heart
Fall asleep, or hearing, die.
*Pane consolati (Cavalli) Edited for TBB, two solo voices and piano. Lawson-Gould 52995
In Italian with English translation. From La Calisto (1651) by Francesco Cavalli (1602-1676). Accompaniment realized by Raymond Leppard. (1927-2019). One of the most beautiful and expressive choruses in all opera.
NOTE: Pan was the ancient Greek pastoral god of woods, fields, shepherds and fertility. He was generally depicted as a merry but ugly creature with a human torso and the legs, horns and ears of a goat. All his myths concern his amorous Adventures. The chorus is one of consolation after Pan loses yet another love. “Pane, console yourself, for in the beauty of the flowers your grief will disappear.”
Download score. Listen to the Penn State Glee Club.
Plaisir d’Amour (Martini) Arranged for TBB and piano. Alfred Publishing 19177
The love song by Jean Paul Martini (1741-1816) is one for the ages, made famous by Elvis Presley. This arrangement with English text by Jason Charnesky is especially gratifying to sing. Alfred notes: You'll instantly recognize this beautiful melody by Jean Paul Martini. Arranged for today's choirs, this well-crafted work may be sung in French (a pronunciation guide is included) or in an excellent, sensitive English translation. The piano part is smooth and flowing ... a true accompaniment. Great vocal writing, with open score for easy reading. Editor's notes, useful for programs, are included in the publication. Note: the TBB edition is a classic; an exceptional selection for male groups. Visit the Alfred site for notes, sample pages and lovely audio.
The Praise of Christmas Secular carol arranged for TTBB, SATB or SSAA a cappella. YR4904
Also available for SATB and SSAA a cappella.. Traditional from the Oxford Book of Carols .
A carol that is not a carol, but a secular paean to love, community, forgiveness and good will. The song was performed on nearly every Holiday Concert by the Penn State Glee Club. Here the solo is sung by Kevin McMahon of the Class of 1992.
View TTBB sample score. Listen to the Glee Club on P.S. - Happy Holidays.
First Verse of FourAll hail to the days that merit more praise
Than all the rest of the year,
And welcome the nights that double delights
As well for the poor as the peer!
Good fortune attend each merry man's friend
That doth but the best that he may,
Forgetting old wrongs with carols and songs,
To drive the cold winter away.
Ra-ta-plan (Donizetti) Comic opera chorus edited for TTB and piano. Alfred Publishing LG52926
Rousing and exciting men’s chorus from The Daughter of the Regiment (1840) by Gaetano Donizetti (1797-1848).
View full score. Listen to midi.
The Singer Lyrical elegy TTBB and piano. (2:00) Also available for solo voice and piano. Yelton Rhodes YR4901
Poem by John Addington Symonds (1840-1893). Bruce has dedicated the song to the memory of singers we have lost to COVID during the pandemic.
View score sample. Listen to midi.
He fills the world with his singing,
High notes of the heavenly morn
Forever and ever ringing
As age after age is born.
Then he is still, and we know not
Whither his thoughts have fled;
Only the clear notes flow not,
And we say, the singer is dead.
But the nightingales that he cherished,
They carol and cannot die;
Though the man whom we loved has perished,
His melody lives for aye.
Three Glees Edited for TTB/TTBB. View notes.
1. Can You Tell Me What I Think Words and music by George Berg (c.1730 - c. 1760) Score. Midi.
2. Love Asleep Words and music by Samuel Long ( c.1725-1764) Score. Midi.
3. Discord Words and music by Samuel Webbe (1740-1816) Score. Midi.
Three Glees is drawn from A Collection of Catches, Canons and Glees, known as The Warren Collection, containing the best compositions sung by the London Catch Club from 1762 to 1793. Can You Tell Me What I Think is unique in its combination of the drinking song with the nonsense song. Love Asleep is a fine example of the multi-sectional glee. The first section is a soothing lullaby to Cupid, the god of love, followed by a hymn to peace, and concluding with a comic twist. Samuel Webbe, the best known of the London glee composers, and author of the ever-popular Glorious Apollo, produced nine collections of catches, canons and glees. Discord, a fine example of his multi-sectional pieces, opens with a dissonant evocation of Discord (the Roman goddess of conflict) and concludes with a lyrical evocation of peace. This is one of the great master's finest works, evidenced by its receiving a Prize Medal in 1772.
Three Scottish Highland Songs Arranged for TTBB, solo voices and piano. Hinshaw HMC1577
1. Nae Mair We'll Meet Again Score. Midi.
2. Turn Ye to Me
Score. Midi.
3. Cam' Ye by Atholl
Score. Midi.
Hinshaw says: What a great collection of songs! From the sorrowful Nae Mair We’ll Meet Again to the familiar classic Turn Ye to Me to the spirited Cam’ Ye By Atholl, this set will keep your audience and male choristers entertained.
Two Latin American Folksongs Arranged for TB Voices and keyboard. Carl Fischer CM9044
Carl tells us: The first two of a set of five popular folk songs from Latin America, this choral includes a rousing song from Mexico (Mi mamá aconsejaba) and an exceptionally beautiful Portuguese folk song from Brazil (Nesta rua). The music is expertly adapted for young male voices accompanied by a beautifully designed keyboard part. This is wonderful material for the gentlemen in the choir.
(1863-1933)
Voices Four Choruses for TTBB, SSAA or SATB and piano. Yelton Rhodes YR4902v1
Settings of poems by Constantine Cavafy (1863-1933), the most distinguished Greek poet of the 20th century. The four poems chronicle his life and clandestine loves in Istanbul and Alexandria in the early years of the century. His powerful poem Expecting the Barbarians chronicles fears and rumors in an ancient city, but can also apply to the threat of invasion and war in modern times. Commissioned and premiered by the Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington D.C. at the Kennedy Center.
1. Voices View score sample. Midi.
2. December 1903
View score sample. Midi.
3. Far Off
View score sample. Midi.
4. When They Are Roused View score sample. Midi.
5. Expecting the Barbarians
View score sample. Midi.
Wedding Chorus Arranged for TTB and piano.
Lovely lyrical chorus in French and English from Beatrice et Bénédict (1862), opera comique by Hector Berlioz (1803-1869) based on a subplot in Shakespeare’s
Much Ado About Nothing.
View score.