Come one, come all to this year’s Madrigal Dinner. Hosted by the CHS Music Department.
This dinner is held in the CHS cafeteria on December 6, 7, and 8. The cafeteria is transformed into a sixteenth-century dining hall, looking nothing like the normal one. Walls surround the cafeteria and into the hallway in front of the auditorium to look like stones from sixteenth-century buildings. Decorations all around show the olden times, with wooden benches and tables for the choir, flags that are brought up to the front, and tablecloths for all the cafeteria tables. Candles line the walkways and sit on the tables, with none of the normal lights. The only lighting is the candlelight.
The different choirs split up to play different roles in the show. There is a king and queen, played by Ryan Gray and Jane Maddex, who are hosting a feast. The Sandpipers play as their guests who are enjoying a wonderful Christmas feast, while the Drifters play the servers who also sing a few songs on their own and with the Sandpipers. The other choir members also play servers. There is also a small orchestra near the front by the choir, playing music for them to sing along with. Four band members are chosen to accompany the orchestra and choir on recorders for some of the songs, and trumpets to announce when something big is coming. Finally, the color guard provides the four jesters, who run around and play with the guests during dinner.
The whole show transports spectators back in time. Walking in, the Court Cryer (the official announcer) will announce the guest’s name to the whole room. Throughout the performance, he grabs everyone’s attention back for the King or Queen and tells the audience the rules of the meal. The choir also sings old carols that are lesser known now but were popular then. The costumes follow old traditions, of all older style dresses for both the guests and some of the servers. The other servers get old-style long shirts, as well as the orchestra and band. The jesters get old-styled jester costumes to reflect on the time.
The Madrigal Dinner is a wonderful event put on by the CHS Music Department. The set, the cast, and the music all put together a wonderful dinner that all enjoyed coming to and recommend seeing.
