2018-2019 Concerts
St. Paul's Chapel, Broadway and Fulton Street
November 30, 2018 at 8pm
Voices Over Tallinn: Honoring 100 Years of the Estonian Nation
Downtown Voices; Stephen Sands, conductor
Free
Choral music is woven into the fabric of Estonia—in a nation of 1.3 million people, there are more than 700 official choirs, and during the country’s quest for independence, choral tradition provided the backbone of the resistance. Voices Over Tallinn celebrates the music of Estonia—and the 100th anniversary of its independence—and pays homage to some of the most influential Estonian composers, including Tormis and Pärt. In Estonia, choral classics are as popular as modern “pop” music, and after you hear these performances firsthand, you’ll understand why.
Concert attendees are invited to attend a reception with light refreshments in St. Paul's Chapel after the performance. The reception is supported by the Estonian Consulate General in New York.
December 22, 2018 at 7:30pm
December 23, 2018 at 3pm
Community Carol Sing
Downtown Voices, NOVUS NY, and Trinity Youth Chorus; Stephen Sands and Julian Wachner, conductors
Tickets
Come sing along with Trinity ensembles in this concert that has quickly become a holiday tradition and highlight of the season. Hear Downtown Voices, NOVUS NY, and the Trinity Youth Chorus perform holiday favorites, and sing along to carols arranged by Julian Wachner, Trinity’s director of music and arts, from his album The Snow Lay on the Ground.
Please note that due to the rejuvenation of Trinity Church, this year’s performances will take place at St. Paul’s Chapel at Broadway and Fulton Street with floor and balcony seating. Some seats are limited view or monitor-only view; ticket prices reflect this. Click here to view the seating chart for St. Paul's Chapel.
April 28, 2019 at 3pm
Songs for the Singer: Dvořák, Britten, and Janáček
Downtown Voices; Stephen Sands, conductor
Free
It is a treasure to hear what is a pleasure to sing. So while these selections from composers Dvořák, Britten, and Janáček were chosen because they are a joy to perform, it is the audience who will truly benefit. Featuring soloists from the Choir of Trinity Wall Street, organist Janet Yieh on St. Paul’s celebrated organ, and plenty of lush a cappella, this concert is not to be missed.
Downtown Voices first performed at Trinity Church on December 27, 2015, as part of Trinity's annual Twelfth Night Festival.
About
Praised by the New York Times for its “incisive, agile strength,” Downtown Voices is a semiprofessional choir made up of volunteer singers from the New York metro area and members of the Choir of Trinity Wall Street. Directed by Stephen Sands, Downtown Voices has performed works by Anton Webern, Alberto Ginastera, Benjamin Britten, Johannes Brahms, Leonard Bernstein, Philip Glass, Sergei Rachmaninoff, and a large-scale commission for the 250th anniversary of St. Paul’s Chapel, Spire and Shadow, by Zachary Wadsworth.
Watch Recent Concerts
June 2, 2018
TOTAL EMBRACE FINALE: Leonard Bernstein at 100
Watch Concert
March 11, 2018
Masterworks for Double Choir
Watch Concert
December 21, 2017
Christmas Concert and Community Carol Sing
Watch Concert
November 12, 2017
Rachmaninoff Vespers - November 12
Watch Concert
November 10, 2017
Rachmaninoff Vespers
Watch Concert
May 20, 2017
Philip Glass Symphony No. 5
Watch Concert
April 8, 2017
Handel’s Israel in Egypt
Watch Concert
January 11, 2017
Zachary Wadsworth’s commission, Spire and Shadow, for the 250th Anniversary of St Paul’s Chapel
Watch Concert
October 23, 2016
October Garden by Julian Wachner and Morten Lauridsen’s Midwinter Songs
Watch Concert
Join Downtown Voices
Auditions
Downtown Voices is always looking for high-level volunteer singers. If you are interested in auditioning, please fill out the form below and you will be contacted with further instructions. All applicants are required to submit a video sample of their singing, and after a screening process takes place, successful applicants will be invited back to audition in person. These auditions will include sight-reading from a four-part hymn and singing a prepared choral piece, as well as performing an aria of your choice.
Rehearsals
Downtown Voices will rehearse on Wednesday evenings, 6:30–9pm, from September through May in Lower Manhattan. Choir members must attend at least 80% of rehearsals, and are required to attend all dress rehearsals and concerts. Please contact the Chorus Manager (see below) if you have questions.
Contact
If you would like information about Downtown Voices, please contact Chorus Manager Steven Hrycelak at shrycelak@trinitywallstreet.org.
Apply Here to Audition
Please fill out this form to receive further instructions about the audition process, which will require you to submit a link to a video of your singing.
Learn More
Learn more about Downtown Voices
Testimonials from Downtown Voices Singers
“Downtown Voices is the group I've been looking for for years -- one in which I feel challenged without feeling left behind. Every rehearsal with the Trinity professionals is like a master class.”
“The collaboration with The Choir of Trinity Wall Street has been an incredibly rewarding and enriching aspect of being in this group. It's amazing to have the opportunity to sing alongside some of the most talented and accomplished choral singers in New York City.”
“The repertoire performed by Downtown Voices has been incredibly fulfilling for me to sing. It is challenging, diverse, exciting, and innovative. The performance quality and collaboration opportunities with Trinity's instrumental ensembles are outstanding. Being able to rehearse in Trinity Church and St. Paul's Chapel has been inspiring and extremely rewarding, especially having grown up visiting and admiring these two spaces. I could not be more grateful or happy to be a part of Downtown Voices.”
“After graduating from college and joining the rest of corporate America working for a big four accounting firm, I felt a void in my heart where music used to be. I was surrounded by music all growing up and through college where I participated heavily in my college's conservatory programs. Once I graduated, though, I had no outlets to continue my music education and follow my passion of singing… I auditioned for several groups, and nothing seemed quite right. Some programs were too intense for someone who was also a full time working professional, and some programs were too relaxed, where the music wasn't challenging enough and left me wanting more.
Then, I heard about Downtown Voices. Not only did I get to perform in arguably one of the most beautiful places in NYC, but I also get to sing alongside incredibly talented musicians who impress me every day and challenge me to be the best vocalist I can be. I get to experience all of this while having fun and singing music that give me chills every time we perform. What a thrill and honor it is to be a part of such a wonderful music community.”