The madrigals show travels back seven hundred years to a land of Kings, Queens, Princes, Princesses, Jesters, Knights, Wizards, noble Lords and ladies, and lowly peasants; here in the ballroom, candles are lit, and music is sung, which brings joy and peace at this Christmas time.
Most people see the madrigals’ performance, enjoy it, and then go on with their lives without knowing about all the preparation and work that went into the show. The madrigals aren’t the whole show, nor do they do all the work. The show requires help from everyone, including parents, concert choir, teachers, junior high choir students, tech and light specialists, and, of course, the madrigals. All of these people each play a pivotal role in the creation and production of the madrigals show, and are appreciated for all that they do. For a successful show, there are three main needs, which include music preparation and memorisation, behind-the-scenes work, and the actual show.
So what is the madrigals’ show?
“The Madrigal Dinner is a Renaissance-themed dinner theatre experience where the choir dresses up in Renaissance-style costumes. We do a dinner and a concert in the auditorium for our friends and family. And what makes it so special is the people involved, and it’s just this giant community experience.” Said Mr. Spear, the director of the choir and performance.
Each year, there is a different script that Mr. Spear mostly writes by himself. Some of the songs and lines are repeated, but every year, there’s a lot of new material too. There is a new theme every year, this year being The Season of Light, which explores lightness and darkness, both serious and funny.
Music preparation and other volunteers
The Madrigals have been practicing for this show since early-mid October. This includes night practices taking place almost every Monday and Tuesday since October. The rehearsal process has its intense moments, but the madrigals we able to make it fun by dressing up for each night’s rehearsal and having positive attitudes.
The preparation takes “a lot of time, a lot of effort, a lot of energy, and a lot of memorization.” Said Spear. Tech week is fun, but it’s always more stressful when you see the deadline coming. The pressure is good for the performers because working under the gun helps us get our work done. Spear says, “It’s always a lot. It’s tiring, but it’s always worth it. so much more than it is difficult.”
Around 150 people, mostly consisting of parents of the performers, help with the madrigal show in some sort of way. The show contains over 100 singers ranging from concert choir students to madrigals and even junior high students. “It’s just this giant project we do as a team that we could never do by ourselves, and it does a lot of cool things.” Said Spear.
Challenges faced throughout the preparation process
Mr. Spear said that “the biggest challenge is… well, there’s a lot to it. It’s a big show. It’s a two and a half hour production. Um, and so just the volume of material, um, is difficult, plus it’s memorizing it all, not just being able to perform it, but perform it memorized.
“And I think probably one of the students’ biggest challenges, you’d have to ask them, but would be just that they are involved in lots of things besides Madrigals as well. So, they are balancing this giant show and all the rest of their life at the same time.”
Madrigals is a huge commitment in and of itself, that, on top of the madrigals week and show, is a lot for everyone participating to balance in their life.
How do the concert choir students contribute to the show?
Sophomore Remy Chapin in the concert choir said, “The concert choir’s big thing is we do all the serving. We’re, like, the singing servers. We serve, we do our big performance on stage, and that’s it. We’re just kind of everywhere.”
The concert choir sing in the first song with the madrigals, then they serve all of the food and some help to clean up and help in other ways throughout the rest of the show. They also perform their song at halftime for everyone.
Working behind the scenes, Remy stated, “It’s a lot more hectic than one would think. Like, it’s a lot stressful when I went to mad shows before I was in choir. I was like, Oh, this could be a breeze. I can do this easily. Actually, doing it is insanely hard.”
The concert choir also help out the parents in any way they can to help the show run smoothly. Remy said, “It’s a mix of getting everything set up, decorating, props, and making sure we have food, snacks, and making sure we’re not being too loud. Making sure people are standing where they are supposed to be, and it’s just it’s a lot. And behind the scenes, it’s insanely more than one would think.”
Despite all of the stress and business of the preparation and work put into the show, Remy said, “I think this year is one of my favourite shows. And being able to watch it and see how it came to life. being able to see before and out. And stuff. There were decorations, crops… Just the show in general, I think it is great.”
The concert choir plays an important role in the madrigals, but sometimes goes unnoticed. They are members of the choir and a part of the show, singing, serving, and bringing smiles to everyone.
In the eyes of a madrigal
The madrigals are the stars of the performance. All of the acting and memorizing that they have to go through can sometimes be a lot, but they push through with smiling faces and grateful hearts. The music and memorization do not come easily, nor do they come quickly.
3-year madrigal Maya Sadler said, “I’ve learned that you have to be very patient, because it’s not always gonna go well the very first time. So you just gotta listen to the other members of the choir.” Every year is different, and Maya has been able to experience a lot of changes.
“I feel like this year was the most rushed it has ever been.”
Through the rushed season and business, the madrigals have fun by giving gifts to each other in Secret Santa and celebrating each madrigal’s dinner with a party afterwards. Maya’s advice for younger current and future singers is to “stick with it, even though it gets really frustrating at points. You just keep going and don’t just quit after your first year.”
The Madrigals are talented and skilled musicians who give their love of music and amazing voices to others through acts of singing and service.
The madrigals show and beyond
The Madrigals’ show is really important because it gives a lot of people something to look forward to. Some of the same people every year, even if they do not have a relation to someone in madrigals, they still love the show and watch it. This show brings love, joy, and light to the lives of the audience and singers.
Even after the show, they do not stop spreading joy through music. The week after the shows, they go to the nursing homes and sing for the residents there. They also recently went to the old state capital to sing some of their songs, and will go to the elementary and intermediate schools to spread the light of Christmas.
The madrigal’s performance isn’t just a show; it is an experience that brings you closer to your loved ones and unexpected friends. It shows you what the true meaning of Christmas is and helps you feel the joy of the holidays.
