A Capella Groups

A capella groups at Trinity College originated in 1938 with the formation of The Trinity Pipes, then an all-male quartet which became co-ed in 1970, the year after the College first admitted women.

In the 1960s, The Pipes were joined by The Trinidads, another all-male singing group. These were the only a capella groups on campus until 1987, when The Trinitones formed the first all-female group. The two groups were joined in 1993 by the all-male group, The Accidentals, and in 2004 by a second all-female group, The Quirks. A second co-ed group, The Dischords, formed in 2005 but no longer existed as of 2019. The groups sing a wide variety of musical genres and styles, from classic barbershop to jazz to pop and rock, each lending its own unique sound to a mix of old and new songs.

Montage of album covers. Photo credit: Watkinson Library - Virtual Museum

Auditions for Trinity’s a capella groups take place at the beginning of each semester, with each group selecting a limited number of participants. Rehearsals are obligatory and may happen at least three times per week for an hour or more. Over the years, Trinity’s a capella groups have performed at College and alumni events and at Hartford community events as well. They have performed nationally and internationally including at the White House, the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Fenway Park, the Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art, and Connecticut Children’s Hospital, as well as at many other well-known venues and institutions. Collectively, the groups have won singing competitions, recorded albums, and traveled extensively.

Accidentals

Trinity's only current all-male group, formed in 1993. Their sound is a mix of old and new, infused with the barbershop tradition. The Accidentals sang at the 1996 Presidential Debates and have performed at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. In 2005 and again in 2007, they came in first place at the Nutmeg A Cappella Slam, held in Rockville, Connecticut.

Dischords

Founded in 2005 as the second co-ed group in Trinity's history, the Dischords had nine members. They performed unique, pop-rock arrangements. No longer in existence.

Pipes

The Pipes, Trinity's oldest co-ed singing group, formed in 1938. The group started as a quartet of four St. Anthony Hall brothers and by the mid-1960s had implemented instruments into their performances. The group went co-ed in 1970 when the College did. They have performed at The Bushnell in Hartford and at Trinity's International Show, recorded albums, and sung “'Neath the Elms” during Commencement.

Quirks

The second all-female group to form, the Quirks were founded in 2004 as part of a senior project. They perform a wide range of musical genres and have appeared at the 2012 Silver Chord Bowl, Carnegie Hall, the White House, and Fenway Park. They have recorded three albums.

Trinidads

In their heyday between 1960 and 1970, the all-male Trinidads performed at “women's colleges, charity benefits, corporation banquets, radio and television appearances and private parties from Greenwich to the Caribbean.” No longer in existence.

Trinitones

Trinity’s first all-female vocal group was formed in 1987. They sing in close harmony in a variety of styles at public and private social and cultural events. They performed at Governor Malloy's 2014 Inauguration Ceremony and at the Wadsworth's Festival of Trees and Traditions. They have released two albums, The UnderTones and The Rolling Tones.