A trio is a group of three people or things that have something in common. In music, a trio is any of the following):
- A composition for three performers or three musical parts.
- In larger works, the middle section of a ternary form.
- An ensemble of three instruments or voices performing trio compositions.
The term "trio" has been used since the 17th century to describe a contrasting second or middle dance appearing between two statements of a principal dance, such as a minuet or bourrée. This second dance was originally called a trio because of the 17th-century practice of scoring it for three instruments, and later examples continued to be referred to as trios, even when they involved a larger number of parts).
In addition to music, the term "trio" can also refer to a group of three people, such as a jazz trio. The Federal TRIO Programs (TRIO) are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. TRIO includes eight programs targeted to serve and assist low-income individuals, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities to progress through the academic pipeline from middle school to postbaccalaureate programs.
