Every year around the holidays, decorations like Christmas trees, castle walls, wreaths, lights, candles, knights, and signs are displayed in the hallway leading to the auditorium which is transformed into a magical castle. But who knows what Madrigal really is? It is a historical tradition that has been led by the music department for many years now. 

Set in the Renaissance Era,  Madrigal is generally a comedic story. The meal is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with a traditional song. A skit is performed between the courses, and a concert of choral music concludes the festivities. Traditionally, Madrigal was at the church and there was a full dinner provided. After COVID-19, the performance was moved to the high school auditorium. 

The stage is where the Royal Court sits, it consists of all of the seniors from all choirs: Cantate, Fella Voce, Cantus, and Cantemus. This is their night! The King, played by Eric Franczyk and the Queen played by Meredith Heggen sit in the middle of the stage. Once you get into high school, there are not many chances that the whole grade is brought together which is one of the reasons why Madrigal is so special. For sophomores and juniors, they are considered peasants. Some wear short tunics with black leggings and long sleeves underneath and others wear long tunics with flower crowns. They stand along the castle walls, singing along with the court throughout the concert. 

This year the skit between different concert portions is named “ Snow White and the 7 Sprites”. It is a play-off of Snow White and the seven dwarfs, the “Sprites” who are played by Lani Bradley (Diet Sprite), Henry Strauss (Spite Sprite), Courtney Sweet (Ariel Sprite), Erica Waters (Bubble Sprite), Carson Tracy (Tinkerbell Sprite), Jack Brooks (Birkenstock Sprite) and Tyler Herrmann (Eugine Sprite) work at the castle and are begging for better wages. Snow White is an unfair, horrible person who will not raise their wages. Estefat is the king and he wants to be considered the unfairest of them all so he makes a potion that makes the Jester and Snow White switch bodies, during that period Jester sees how unfair the Sprites get treated and has a change of heart. He then decides to be on their side and fight with them to get fair wages and when they switch back the Sprites get their fair wages and they all live happily ever after.

At the end of the show after silent night is sung, the court and audience meet in the cafeteria for cake and wassail. Join us tonight for the final performance of the 2024 madrigal season at 7pm.