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U High's Madrigal singers enjoy setting tone for holidays
By Bridget Flynn
bflynn@pantagraph.com
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BLOOMINGTON -- Girls wearing medieval-styled dresses and head wreaths on top of their curly hair ran excitedly around the Chateau Sunday preparing for their performances at the University High School Madrigal Dinners.

Madrigal singing began in Italy as a form of after-dinner entertainment. It became popular throughout Europe in the 16th century among peasants and nobility. Many of the songs are in the French and Italian languages. Ensembles perform them a cappella.

University High School students have been performing in the Madrigal dinners for 21 years.

A concert was performed before the dinner by brass, recorder and string ensembles. Madrigal singers, court singers and a madrigal girls’ ensemble all performed at the dinner. This year, the madrigals performed the script, “Noel Royal.”

The court and their court singers entered the dining hall in a procession singing, “Make We Merry.” The court then took their seats at a head table.

“It’s a beautiful way to start the holidays,” said Dorene Solava, whose daughter, Rachel, played a bald-headed lady.

Alex Kraft, a senior, who played the king, said that the group effort of the performances is what he enjoys most about the program.

“I like making music with my friends. It’s fun to take different tempos and play with music,” Kraft said before the performance began.

Jeremy Davis, a senior who has been participating in the program for four years, says that he too enjoys the camaraderie of the program

“It’s fun being a part of a group with 15 people and experiencing the same thing,” Davis said.

The 15 madrigal singers are selected in May. They attend madrigal camp in the summer and begin rehearsing for the performances in mid-August, a week before their classes begin. They give performances in various retirement homes and businesses in the community as well as the festival of trees.

“It’s a lot of work, but it’s a lot of fun,” said Cheryl Koth, the volunteer coordinator for the madrigal performances.

Koth’s husband built the draw bridge that sits at the main entrance of the dining hall. Her daughter, Jenny, played a damsel in distress in one of the skits. Jenny was escorted into the dining hall by Brave Sir Robin, played by John Cooper, who bragged of his courage. When they were accosted by a robber who brandished a butter knife, played by Taylor Olson, Brave Sir Robin ran away, shrieking cowardly. It was the damsel who had the courage to stomp on his foot and walk away in a huff.

Chris Corpus, who has directed the madrigal choir for 10 years, says that she enjoys seeing the independence of the madrigal performers.

“At this point, they direct themselves. If they do that, my job is done,” she said.

Take a look
University High School Music Department hosted their 21st Annual Madrigal Dinner at The Chateau in Bloomington. John Cooper escorts Rachel Solova, left, and Jenny Morrow into the hall as the feast begins Sunday afternoon. (Pantagraph/LORI ANN COOK) (November 25, 2007)
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Reader comments on this story - 1 total

Note: All views and opinions expressed in reader comments are solely those of the individual submitting the comment, and not those of the Pantagraph or its staff.

Mads alum wrote on Nov 25, 2007 11:03 PM:

" Can't be there this year, but I hope the shows go well! "
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