“appealing melodic lines, tender harmonies, and a palette of glowing vocal and instrumental colors . . . rapturous ” – Gramophone

Fueled by a passion for combining tradition and innovation, American composer Michael John Trotta creates music that resonates with modern audiences around the world.

As a conductor, he has been invited to lead premieres of his commissioned major works at St. Peter’s Basilica and St. Paul’s Basilica in Rome, Basilica San Lorenzo in Naples, at Lincoln Center, and Carnegie Hall.

His engaging style fuses tradition and innovation to create moments of beauty that “effectively carry out a dialogue between the [music] and the modern listener.” (Choral Journal)

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“elegant, singable music with a strong, spiritual heft”

– Choir and Organ Magazine

“solidly grounded in tradition, yet incorporates a musical language that . . . ‘informs the thoughts and aspirations of the people and the time.’” – The Choral Scholar

Experience Collaboration

“Absolutely brilliant, yet at the same time approachable and real. His mission was to understand our needs and to write music that would deliver exactly what we were hoping for.” – Satisfied Client

“Our commissioning process couldn’t have been more optimal. His willingness to meet our vision, combined with his aesthetic stamp was absolutely perfect for us.” – Satisfied Client

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Featured Collaboration with
Tenebrae Choir – Nigel Short, Conductor

“Our commissioning process couldn’t have been more optimal. His organization and willingness to meet our vision, combined with infusing his own aesthetic stamp, resulted in a composition that was absolutely perfect.” – Michael Vaughn (College Station, TX)

“His mission was to understand our needs and to write music that would deliver exactly what we were hoping for. Michael understands how to write for the voice and he knows how to touch hearts through his writing. Working with Michael has been a great privilege and pleasure; indeed, a highlight in my career as a conductor, musician, and administrator. – Laurel Sanders (State College, PA)

“His attention to range and difficulty level without sacrificing emotion or musicality allowed my choir to connect their work to the outside world and convey their emotions to the audience. Michael was so helpful and easy to work with. He made our vision come to life in a way no one else could have! ” – Melody Villegas (Mesquite, TX)

“He took time to understand the mission of the project and worked to fulfill it . . . we couldn’t be happier.” – Rebecca Raber (Bismarck, ND)

“His down to earth approachability allowed all of us to access our own artistry and musicality immediately.” – Emily Kaster (Middletown, NJ)

“His music always keeps the singers in mind. He also makes it financial feasible to be part of a consortium of choirs to be able to commission larger works. Our choir loves it.” – Michael Monnikendam (Seattle, WA)

“Writes with consideration of range and tessituras for all voice types . . . a great experience for my high school and community singers.This work brought two of my choirs together for wonderful intergenerational singing.” – David Richardson (Summerville, SC)

Working with Michael was an incredible experience. He truly listened and composed a piece exactly like I had envisioned. I wanted my commission to empower my Treble Choir. Michael thought of everything! [He cleverly combined the everything I wanted] to make a masterpiece. I was able to take my choir to another level because of his work. – Heather Orr (Montgomery, TX)

“He was so encouraging and warm, yet commanded the room and encouraged excellent singing at all times. He challenged my singers to think artistically and perform the piece whole-heartedly.” – Joanna Scarangello (Hackettstown, NJ)

“Amazing to work with! The music was tailored to fit our needs while maintaining flair that drew us to his music to begin with!” – Leigh Grizzard (Pekin, IL)

“Elegant and accessible, the appropriate amount of challenge while retaining a feeling that it is always within reach for any ensemble.” – Aaron Hufty (San Antonio, TX)

“[There is] a keen sense of creativity in his economy of melodic and harmonic material, bringing an organic connection throughout the piece” – Stephen Mitchell (Atlanta, GA)

“tender harmonies and a palette of glowing vocal and instrumental colors . . . rapturous ” – Gramophone

“a work solidly grounded in tradition, yet incorporates a musical language that, in George Gershwin’s words, ‘informs the thoughts and aspirations of the people and the time.’” – Robert Rawlins – The Choral Scholar

“weaves rich harmonies and memorable melodic lines into delightful tapestries of sound” Barnaby Hughes – Stage and Cinema

“a fascinating, infectious setting . . . effectively carries out that dialogue between the ancient Latin chant and the modern listener” – Choral Journal

“effectively carries out that dialogue between the ancient Latin chant and the modern listener” – Choral Journal

Trotta writes elegant, singable music with a strong spiritual heft. Lovely singing by the Chorale, with that nice blending of male and female forces only American forces seem to manage with such simplicity.” – Choir and Organ Magazine

Fueled by a passion for combining tradition and innovation, American composer Michael John Trotta creates music that resonates with modern audiences around the world. From Carnegie Hall to cathedrals and concert halls around the world, he creates “elegant, singable music with a strong, spiritual heft” (Choir and Organ Magazine).

Seasoned by his experience as a conductor at the primary, secondary, and university levels – as well as a church music director – his works are infused with an “intimate knowledge of the human voice and a rare sensitivity to the capabilities of a choral ensemble” (Fanfare). The “dynamic interplay of time-honored musical gestures with present-day sonorities” (Choral Scholar) create “tender harmonies and a palette of glowing vocal and instrumental colors” (Gramophone).

In addition to a significant output of music for unaccompanied choir, he has written nine choral-orchestral works on a larger scale. His most recent work, “Requiem,” was recorded by Tenebrae Choir (Nigel Short, conductor).

His select concert and sacred music is published by Hampton Roads Music Group and is distributed by GIA/Walton. For more information, a complete list of compositions, or to get in touch, visit his official website (www.mjtrotta.com).

 

Seasoned by his 25 years of experience as a conductor at the primary, secondary, and university levels – as well as a church music director – he commands an intimate knowledge of the human voice and a rare sensitivity to the capabilities of a choral ensemble. This, combined with his degrees in music education and a doctorate in choral conducting, make him a favorite conductor with ensembles in the United States and around the world.

From Carnegie Hall to classrooms all over the world, Trotta’s unique blend of engaging and artistic music creates opportunities to experience new music and empowers individuals to realize their artistic potential. His engaging style fuses tradition and innovation to bring artistry and excellence within reach for thousands of musicians each year.

Driven by a desire to support hardworking directors who work to bring out the best in their ensembles, Trotta has developed keynotes that connect conductors to the educational and artistic goals that drew them to the profession in the first place. “Your Perfect Choir,” “Developing Artistry,” and “Empowering Ensembles” create experiences that connect people to the power of music and its ability transcend barriers and teach us more about each other and ourselves.

An ardent advocate for under-resourced and overworked arts organizations, Trotta has pioneered the development of the consortium model of commissioning. As a result, the opportunity to premiere a major work for choir and orchestra is now within reach for more choirs than ever before. Passionate about removing barriers to new music and artistic excellence, Trotta has created and funded a new initiative that distributes grants to choir directors and scholarships to future choral directors.

When he is not traveling for guest conducting or composer residencies, Dr. Trotta resides in the New York City metro area and spends his time at the beach in New Jersey with his wife Rachel and his daughter Gabriella.