** Indicates the publication is out of print. Contact Bruce to purchase octavos.
**The Descant of Man Three Evolutionary Love Songs for SSA, piano and optional string bass. Alliance AMP 0229
Composer’s Note:The title is a triple pun on both Charles Darwin’s The Descent of Man (1871) and the name of the choral group for which the set was written, Discantus, the small elite ensemble from the Oriana Singers at Penn State. The trilogy is also the centerpiece of Mountain Laurels: A Choral Symphony written to celebrate the Centenary of State College, PA. The various choral cycles of humorous pieces were collectively entitled Frothiana, itself another triple pun on the humor magazine that was the source of many of the texts, Penn State Froth, and the iconic choral work written to celebrate the 200th Anniversary in 1959 of Amherst, MA, Frostiana, settings of Robert Frost poems by Randall Thompson. So heavy a load for these slender pieces to bear! But with their ebullient choral and piano writing and the feisty texts from the 1940s that poke fun at men and their sexual urges, The Descant of Man enables women to celebrate their own identity with humor and sauciness.
You can purchase octavos for less than a tamale ($1.00). And download the scores and listen to the premiere performances by the inimitable women of Discantus. These pieces are ideal for progressive high school and college women, as well as women of experience. Audiences will delight in the rare treat of truly bawdy and cartoonish humor, all presented with smiles and laughter.
1. On Anthropoids text from Penn State Froth, August 1942.
View octavo. Listen to Discantus.
2. Natural Love text from Froth, Autumn 1946.
View octavo. Listen to Discantus.
3. Burning Kisses text from Froth, February 1949.
View octavo. Listen to Discantus.He asked for burning kisses.
She said in accents cruel –
“I may be a red-hot mamma,
But I ain’t nobody’s fuel.”
Performances by Discantus from the Oriana Singers. Order octavos from Bruce.
I’d Wed If I Were Not Too Young Irish folksong for SSA/piano. View and listen: Carl Fischer CM 9099
Carl says: A witty Irish poem about a young girl's desire to be married, in a setting by Bruce Trinkley. Lively movement in 6/8 meter makes this an excellent unaccompanied selection for treble ensembles of any size. High School and above. (1:47)
An Irish Lullaby (Shoheen Sho) Folksong for SSA and piano. View and listen: Alfred 27209
Alfred says: An alternate text (included in the publication) makes this stunning lullaby from Ireland appropriate for Christmas or at any time of year. Sustained a cappella phrases create expressive moments, and brief dissonances resolve beautifully every time. Easy on the voice and keen on the ear, this is one to sing every day as a warm-up selection, or as a "show off" piece at a moment's notice. Lovely. Also available for TTBB. Contact Bruce.
**The Lass of Aughrim Irish folksong arranged for SSA and piano. Alliance Also available for SATB and piano. Arranged for and dedicated to Paul McPhail and the Penn State Women’s Chorale. The Lass of Aughrim is an Irish folksong best known to readers of James Joyce (1882-1941) from the short story "The Dead," where it figures crucially in the plot and tells of a love betrayed. The lyrics record a man who wants proof that the girl is one he used to know in Aughrim, a village south of Dublin. She laments the lover's rejection of herself and his child.
View score. Listen to midi. Order octavos from Bruce.
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord Spiritual for SSA and piano. Augsburg Choirbook for Women
The Augsburg Choirbook for Women offers diverse musical selections for choirs of all ages and abilities from high school through adult. The high quality and yet accessible music in this volume will be useful to church, college and community choirs. The volume contains a cappella settings as well as gospel settings with piano and voicings from unison to SSAA. Composers include Nancy Grundahl, Carolyn Jennings, Anne Krentz Organ and Bruce Trinkley. This will be a wonderful addition to a choral library.
View sample pages. Listen to midi.
**Paths Lyrical piece for SSA and piano/opt.bells. Santa Barbara SBMP 105
This poem by Sarah Chaffee was the winner of the annual Sweet Briar College Poetry Contest in 1993. The choral setting was commissioned and premiered by the Sweet Briar College Choir, Jesse Parker, Director. Permission is granted to print the poem in a program with the following statement: “This poem remains the property of the author.”Out through the backdoor of my dark house. I let the screen door slam.
Out into the the warm summer night I go.
Down the stone steps into the garden, the smell of low tide mixes
with the smell of thyme and mint.
Down around the yellow snapdragons glowing in the backdoor light, I step lightly . . .
View score. Order octavos from Bruce.
*Santa Claus Secular chorus for 2 treble voices and piano. Lawson-Gould 70747
Words anonymous, from Christmas (1907) edited by R. H. Schauffler (1879-1964). A joyous and dramatic saga of Santa on Christmas Eve.
View score. Listen to midi.
Verse 1 of Four VersesHe comes in the night!
He comes in the night! He silently, softly comes;
While little brown heads on pillows so white
Are dreaming of bugles and drums.
He cuts through the snow like a ship through the foam,
While the white flakes around him whirl;
Who tells him I know not, but he findeth the home
Of each little good boy and girl. . . . .
Seasons Four choruses for SSAA and piano or string orchestra and harp. Yelton Rhodes YR4900
Seasons, the choral cycle for women’s voices from Mountain Laurels: A Choral Symphony , was written for and premiered by the Oriana Singers, directed by Lynn Drafall. The poems were all by Central Pennsylvania poets. The essence of each poem is captured in the variety of styles used in the settings, from autumnal lyricism to poignant winter to the blossoming of spring and concluding with the exuberant celebration of summer. A feast for the singers in a celebration of the seasons.
1. Lovely October Poem by Joseph Grucci (1908-1992).
View score sample. Listen to Oriana.
2. Elm Trees Poem by Emily Grosholz.
View score sample. Listen to Oriana.
3. Notebook for May Poem by Deborah Austin (1920-2013).
View score sample. Listen to Oriana.
4. Sun Poem by Melinda Mucha.
View score sample. Listen to Oriana.
Full score (chorus, harp and strings) and parts available from the composer.
The Sussex Carol Arranged for SSAA unaccompanied. Also available for SATB and TTBB.
The Sussex Carol is a sonorous and noble a cappella version of the familiar English carol employing simple canonic variations to embellish the modal tune. Appropriate for the choir on Christmas eve and throughout the holiday season.
View score. Listen to midi.On Christmas night all Christians sing,
To hear the news the angels bring.
News of great joy, news of great mirth,
News of our merciful King's birth. . . .
All out of darkness we have light,
Which made the angels sing this night:
"Glory to God and peace to all.
Now and forevermore. Amen."
Two Latin American Folksongs Arranged for SA and piano. View and Listen: Carl Fischer CM9621. Also available for TB Voices (CM9044).
Carl tells us: This wonderful Latin American set includes a folk song from Mexico (Mi mamá aconsejaba) and Portuguese folk song from Brazil (Nesta rua). The music is expertly adapted for the emerging treble voices accompanied by a beautifully designed keyboard part.
Two Spanish Folksongs Unison, optional Two-Part, accompanied. View and listen: BriLee Music BL607
This is a delightful pairing of two Latin American folk songs, arranged by Bruce Trinkley. Riqui, Riqui is a rhythmic nonsense song sung by children throughout Latin America, and El Capotín is actually two songs in itself that have long been sung together with great lyrical contrast.
Villancico Spanish Christmas carol arranged for SSAA and piano. Alfred Publishing 23975
Also available for SATB and piano and TTBB and piano.Alfred says: This stylish arrangement of a traditional Spanish carol includes an effective optional English text and is a unique choice for men's, women's, and mixed ensembles. Skillfully incorporates rich choral harmonies and captivating rhythms with multicultural flavor. Distinctive repertoire for holiday programs. Alfred site includes score and audio tab with performance.
Voices Four Choruses for SSAA, TTBB or SATB and piano. Yelton Rhodes YR4902v3
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.
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.
Read the poems.
4. When They Are RousedTry to guard them, poet, however few there are that can be kept,
The visions of your loving.
The visions of your loving. Set them half-hidden in your phrases,
Try to sustain them, poet,
When they are roused in your mind at night, or in the glare of noon,
Try to guard them, poet,
The visions of your loving.