The CHIEF January 2020

By Ava Nollen

Madrigals 2019

As the semester draws to a close, so does the Madrigal season. The 53rd Annual Madrigal Dinners ran from December 9-11th, with a great outcome. The dinners consisted of a play, written by the Choir director Joseph Durbin, and a concert performed by the Madrigal singers, Court singers, Madrigal brass, and Madrigal recorders. This event is a team effort, with everyone from each group giving their all. Olivia Schickel, a soprano 1 in the Madrigal singers said; “My favorite part was the camaraderie. We all became a big musical family. The honor of being in this group was made even better by the people I shared these experiences with.” The court singers not only sing, but also serve the meals to the attendees, which is no easy feat. The dinner songs consist of traditional songs, such as “Silent Night” (Madrigals) or “Good King Wenceslas” (recorders). The dinners also consist of more obscure Christmas songs, such as “Run Mary Run” (Court singers) and in some cases, not Christmas style songs at all! This year the madrigal brass not only learned the Christmas songs they needed to, but also learned a mariachi type song for the play portion of the dinners. The dinners this year were a success for all who participated, and this tradition is one that is revered amongst all of the many students and alumni who have participated in it throughout the years