The Trees Community
| Company type | Christian collective and musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music, Religious community |
| Founded | 1970 in Manhattan, New York City, United States |
| Headquarters | New York City , United States |
| Products | Music albums, live performances |
The Trees Community was a Christian collective and musical ensemble connected to the Episcopal Church, initially called "The Symphony of Souls" and later known simply as The Trees. Originating in a Manhattan loft in 1970, the group eventually formalized into a religious order based at The Cathedral Church of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Their guidance came from Canon Edward Nason West and author Madeleine L'Engle Franklin, while they maintained a close collaboration with Dean James Parks Morton. From 1973 to 1977, they served as artists in residence; Dean Morton characterized them as a youthful spiritual community residing near the cathedral, performing musical presentations, leading tours, and preparing to commit to vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience.
Following the demolition of their loft space, the community departed New York aboard a converted school bus accommodating ten members, several pets, and approximately eighty musical instruments. This marked the start of a "pilgrimage without a fixed destination" in 1971, during which they engaged with numerous Christian groups throughout Ontario and various states in the U.S. Their travels included visits to agricultural communes such as the Community Farm of the Brethren in Ontario, evangelical congregations like Houston’s Church of the Redeemer (Houston, Texas), and monastic communities including Kentucky’s Abbey of Gethsemani and Our Lady of Guadalupe monastery in Pecos, New Mexico.
As their musicianship advanced, the ensemble shifted focus from pilgrimage to organized tours spanning the Western United States, New England, and Southeastern regions. Their sound was distinguished by spiritual and otherworldly vocal harmonies accompanied by an array of instruments—among them sitar, tamboura, koto, Venezuelan harp, and bells—with nearly all compositions being original works.
During their seven years of activity, they produced two albums: A Portrait of Jesus Christ in Music (1973), which was limited to 2,000 cassette copies, and The Christ Tree (1975). Additional recordings include collaborations with monks at Abbey of Gethsemani and sessions with composer Calvin Hampton.
In 2007, Timothy Renner of Dark Holler Arts recovered these archival recordings and performed digital remastering to create "The Christ Tree Box Set," a four-CD compilation later followed by a single CD edition. Subsequently, Anthony Derx along with Anthony and Chris Hoisington from Old Bear Records arranged for vinyl and digital reissues slated for 2019. The double LP vinyl reissue utilizes Renner’s remastered audio and is set for distribution through Light in the Attic Records.
External links
- Official website
- The complete story of the Trees Community
- Review of The Christ Tree at Pitchfork Media
- Review of The Christ Tree at Stylus Magazine