On August 26 & 27, the Sterling High School music department held auditions for the annual madrigal group. The S.H.S. madrigal group is a chorus that sings Christmas music from the renaissance period.
The choir contains five to six people on each singing part, where they are all spread in a line, without being next to their singing part. Though this year, director Weston Henry chose to do something different.
The madrigal and chamber list was released on September 4, and rehearsals took place the following week. There was a surprise to most students when looking at the list, seeing a total of 26 students in the madrigal cast.
The madrigals work on their pieces on Mondays and Thursdays, with the Monday rehearsals being from six to nine at night. The cast takes time with diction, facial expressions and memorization during these rehearsals.
Junior Sadie Hendrix, a new member, exclaims she has “really enjoyed the experience of madrigals so far this year. It’s a great opportunity for singing practice and being able to spend time with my friends.”
The performers work towards perfecting their craft for the madrigal dinners, where the public can watch these students perform, whilst also eating a dinner of steak, chicken, or ribs at the McCormick Center. These dinners take place on December 2, 3, and 4.
Senior Avery Moran explains that she is “excited to hear the final product” of this choir for the dinners.
To prepare for their extensive performances, during fall break the madrigals have a retreat where they take time practicing at Camp Reynoldswood. This is a team-bonding event, where students play games, practice songs, and share past madrigal stories.
The chamber group is an all girls choir that contains girls that are also in madrigals, along with underclassman girls. This group is led by middle school choir teacher, Matthew Butler.
The group meets after school on Tuesdays and Thursdays; where they spend time going over four part treble songs. Butler is a pusher with these girls, making them realize they have to work on most pieces outside of class.
Though these girls only have six songs, two including the madrigals, the pieces are quite difficult, and need lots of attention. The chambers will also perform at the dinners, and at the end of their session, they combine and sing with the madrigals.
