* 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.
*Do, Lord, O Do Remember Me Spiritual arranged for SATB, solo voice and piano. Also available for TTBB. Augsburg Fortress
A rousing southern praise song that Bruce remembers from his youth in southern West Virginia, singing it with fellow 7th grade choir members on the bus to a choral festival across the mountain in Bluefield. Old time country flavor with a blues bent and Gospel piano accompaniment. Bruce has dedicated these arrangements to Sibyl Keesee (1922-2015), his choir director at Princeton Junior High School, back in 1956.
Download SATB score. Listen to midi. Download TTBB score.
*Hallelujah! Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano Augsburg Fortress 11-10513
A joyful spiritual that deserves to be sung and heard more frequently.
Download score. Listen to midi.
(1897-1993)
In the Storm So Long Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano. Also available for TTBB and piano. Augsburg 978-1-4514-9251-4
Composer Commentary I first heard this spiritual sung by the great African American contralto Marian Anderson (1897-1993) on a recording played on WQXR in New York City several years ago. It was a spiritual with which I was not familiar but Anderson’s delivery was so heartfelt and compelling that I knew I wanted to make it better known. The verse is in the traditional call and response of African American spirituals with a very powerful chorus. The arrangement is in a simple arch form with a powerful and passionate middle section. It is one of my favorite spirituals and I am quite proud of the arrangement. I hope that conductors, choirs, and congregations will find it inspiring and moving, and I urge performers to track down the Marian Anderson recording for a great example of her art and her expertise in this repertory.
View score and listen to Augsburg Choir. Download TTBB score.
An Irish Lullaby (Shoheen Sho) arranged for SATB. Also available for TTBB. Alfred Publishing 27209
Also available for TTBB. Contact Bruce.
Alfred tells us: 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.
View score. Listen. Download TTBB score.
*I Want Jesus to Walk with Me Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano. Also available for TTBB. Augsburg Fortress
“Bruce Trinkley is a master at setting spirituals: his choral writing is not difficult, but interesting and his accompaniments complete. Consider this one for a Sunday in November.” The ostinato rhythm with the melodic motive gives an ever-increasing urgency to the quiet but powerful vocal writing. A moving and devastating experience for singers and listeners alike.
View SATB score. View TTBB score. Listen to midi
*Kyrie from Missa Santa Rosalia SATB and kybd. or chamber orchestra Augsburg Fortress 12-400001
A lovely lyrical setting of the traditional mass text, composed for the cantata Santa Rosalia, based on the Palmer Museum painting by the Colombian painter Fernando Botero. Also available for TTBB and piano or chamber orchestra.
View SATB and keyboard score. View SATB and orchestra score.
Watch video of Wilmington Children’s Choir directed by Philip Doucette.
*Lord, I Want More Religion Pennsylvania Spiritual arranged for SATB, solo voice and piano. Also available for TTBB. Lawson-Gould 52959
Professor Samuel Bayard (1908-1997) was a renowned and beloved scholar, researcher and teacher at Penn State. He recorded this "Pennsylvania spiritual" in Greene County, PA in 1930. "Hiram H. White, who sang this https://music.psu.edu/faculty/suzanne-roy characteristic spiritual to me, was the first traditional Pennsylvania singer I encountered, and one of the best." The arrangement is dedicated to the memory of David Hudson, who sang the solo part in the premiere and on the Glee Club recordings of the spiritual. Download SATB score. Download TTBB score. Listen to David on Glee Club Gold.
My Soul’s Been Anchored in the Lord Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano Hinshaw HMC 1736
One of a trilogy of Trinkley’s spirituals for church or school choir, a rhythmic piece with a driving piano accompaniment.
View SATB sample pages. Also available for TTBB, SSA and SSAA. View TTBB score. Listen to midi.
Oh, Wasn’t That a Wide River? Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano Hinshaw HMC 1734
The second of a trilogy, a spritely spiritual arranged for choir and piano accompaniment.
View SATB sample pages. Listen to midi. Also available for TTBB and piano. View TTBB score.
Ride On, King Jesus Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano Hinshaw HMC 1735
The third of a trilogy, spiritual arrangement with a majestic air, medium level, with lively piano accompaniment.
Also available for TTBB and piano.
View SATB sample pages. View TTBB score. Listen to the men’s chorus version sung by the Penn State Glee Club - from Glee Club Gold.
*Seven Sacred Canons Edited for mixed, men’s or women’s voices Carl Fischer CM 8513
Glory be to God on high Canon for 3 voices by Dr. William Boyce (1711-1779) Listen to the Glee Club on P.S. -- Happy Holidays
Jerusalem Canon for 3 voices by Thomas Roseingrave (1690 or 1691-1766)
As pants the hart Canon for soprano, alto and bass by Samuel Arnold (1740-1802)
O Absalom, my son Canon for 3 voices by Charles King (1687-1748)
Alleluja Canon for 8 voices by William Hayes (1708-1777)
Miserere nobis Canon for soprano, alto and bass by William Hayes
Allelujah (canon for 3 voices) / William Boyce (1711-1759).
Seven Sacred Canons 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. Although originally intended to be sung by men’s voices in a secular setting, the pieces are also appropriate for use in church, sung by the choir or the congregation. The set includes both rounds and canons, explained in the notes. Download score.
*The Shepherd’s Tale. For SAB and Keyboard. Text by Jason Charnesky Harrock Hall 04064
A lyrical, but also quite chromatic and contemporary choral version of a song from A Communion of Saints, song cycle for voice and piano, commissioned by and premiered by Suzanne Roy, soprano, and Steven Smith, piano, longtime colleagues at the Penn State School of Music. A perfect centerpiece for a holiday program. Published in the very progressive catalogue of Harrock Hall, which, alas, never garnered enough sales to remain viable. Now I am pleased to make it available again via this website. Download score. Read the lyrics. Listen to Suzanne and Steven perform the solo voice version.
Three Venezuelan Christmas Carols Arranged for SATB and piano or marimbas/bass. Also available for TTBB and piano or marimbas/bass. Preview SATB score, listen and purchase: GIA Publication G-4316
1. La Jornada (The Journey) View TTBB score. Listen to TTBB version
2. Como busca el tierno infante (As the frightened baby Jesus)
View TTBB score. Listen to TTBB version.
3. Cantemos (We are singing) View TTBB score. Listen to TTBB version.
The TTBB recordings are by the Penn State Glee Club from P.S. Happy Holidays Three lyrical South American carols from the classic Walter Ehret (1918-2009) collection,
The International Book of Carols with text in Spanish and English. Perfect for Christmas Eve celebrations with piano or two marimbas and string bass. The SATB and TTBB versions are equally effective.
Villancico Spanish Christmas carol arranged for SATB and piano. Also available for SSAA and TTBB Alfred Publishing 29374
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. View and listen to score sample.
Wade in the Water Spiritual arranged for SATB and piano. Augsburg 978-0-8006-5762-8
This magnificent spiritual was among many that I arranged on the grand old gospel piano in the Garden Studio at the Hambidge Center in Rabun Gap, Georgia. It has the flavor of my beloved southern Appalachians. It is one of my favorite arrangements, either for SATB or for TTBB. The piano is integral and, at the end, enigmatic. View SATB sample. View TTBB score. Listen to the Glee Club, from Glee Club Gold.
*Weary Traveler Spiritual arranged for SATB, treble solo and piano. Also available for TTBB, solo voice and piano, and for solo voice and piano. Augsburg Fortress 11-10514
It was always a delight to arrange spirituals for tenor David Hudson and pianist Tony Leach - you knew you were going to get a very sensitive and masterful performance from these fine musicians.
Download SATB score. Download TTBB score. Download solo voice version score. Listen to TTBB midi.
We Sing in Celebration French carol arranged for SATB and solo voice. GIA Publication G-4315
15th Century French carol in French and English. From The International Book of Carols edited by Walter Ehret (1918-2009) and George Evans. Also available for TTBB from the composer.
View full score and listen at GIA page. Download TTBB score.
Listen to the Glee Club sing this carol on P.S.– Happy Holidays.