Paul Trepte has enjoyed a distinguished career in church and choral music, beginning with his role as Organ Scholar at New College, Oxford, concluding with his recent retirement as Organist and Director of Music at Ely Cathedral in the UK—where he served for twenty-nine years.
Under Paul’s direction the main traditional choir of men and boys maintained a busy schedule of services, concerts, broadcasts and international tours. He also encouraged the expansion of the cathedral’s music department which now includes a girls’ choir, a mixed children’s choir and an adult voluntary choir.
In addition to his main work as a choral/organ music specialist, Paul has always continued to examine, lecture, compose and arrange. He has written a large number of choral works, many of which have been published in the UK by Faber, Encore, RSCM and The Church Music Society, and he is pleased with his new association with August Press. He holds Honorary Fellowships from both the Guild of Church Musicians and The Royal School of Church Music.
August Press is honored to publish these works by Paul Trepte:
Deck The Hall
SATB accompanied
This masterful setting of the familiar Welsh carol features a few clever rhythmic twists and an unexpected setting of the text "Fast away the old year passes." With a dancing organ accompaniment, this piece will be rewarding to choral performers and a delight for audiences.
Catalan Carol
SATB accompanied
This touching arrangement of the traditional Catalan carol Cold December's Winds Were Stilled equates Christ's birth in the cold of winter with the hope of springtime. Choral scoring ranges from unison verses to divisi on the refrain, with a significant role for the pianist or organist.
Two Danish Carols
Two beautiful (if somewhat less familiar) carols from Denmark are combined in this winsome arrangement. Although the recording is in Danish, the anthem features lyrics in English: A Babe Is Born In Bethlehem and On The Earliest Christmas Night. As an added feature, this anthem may be performed by either SATB, SSA, or unison trebles. A fresh addition to your Christmas programming.
El Noi de la Mare (The Son of the Virgin)
SATB accompanied
This fresh presentation of the traditional folk song from Catalonia, Spain recounts what the shepherds must have asked one another as they walked to meet the Holy Family at the manger. Both tune and accompaniment capture the traditional pastoral dotted-rhythm 6/8 pulse. Vocal ranges are moderate, the harmonies rewarding to sing, and text in both Catalan and English is included.
Begin And Never Cease (While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks)
Created for Ely Cathedral's Hark! The Herald concerts, this setting of the While Shepherds Watched text is joyful and celebratory. The text was the first carol admitted to Church of England hymnals in 1696. The tune, known as CRANBROOK (in Yorkshire as On Ilkey Moor Baht at) is a huge crowd favorite at English carol services! It features a Billings-like fuguing tune which is great fun to sing for both choir and congregation.
The Passion According To Saint Luke
SATB, organ, soloists
Paul Trepte has created a remarkable setting of the Easter Passion. Drawn from the account of St. Luke, it opens with events at the Garden of Gethsemane, and incorporates the great Samuel Crossman/John Ireland hymn 'My Song Is Love Unknown' as the congregational prelude and response to the narrative. Scored simply for SATB choir and organ, includes the traditional roles of Evangelist (tenor), Christ (baritone), Pilate, Peter, and the lesser roles of Servant Girl, Bystanders, Centurion, etc. Most of the choral singing is a cappella, and while challenging at moments, is well within the capabilities of most church choirs.