A feast of medieval pageantry descends with not one, but two madrigal dinners held in town next month.
Rounding out their fourth decade of music, dancing and feasting, the Presbyterian Church will hold their 39th annual Advent Madrigal Dinner on December 6-8 at the church. The program will showcase the talents of Traverse City Central Choral-Aires and Vocal Majority ensembles, dancers from the Ballet Royale de Courtiers, a juggler, magician and musicians.
West High School offers it's annual Elizabeth Madrigal Feaste for the tenth year. Held in the school's commons area, the dinner theater-style show includes gourmet food and a musical program by the school's vocal ensembles. The Queen's own Royale Herald Trumpeters and other musicians playing antique instruments will accompany numbers by the Choral-Aires, Bella Voce, Westmen and Chorale groups.
Anticipating enthusiastic audiences for a total of seven madrigal events this year, the two organizations help launch the holiday season.
"Most of our ticket sales are from outside the congregation and with some people it's very much a tradition for them,” said Tammie Ramage, co-chair of the
Presbyterian Church's event with Connie Kerns.
Fielding more than 200 volunteers of all ages over the three-show run, the church has developed a well-oiled machine when it comes to putting on their Advent Madrigal Feast. From making costumes, cooking and serving to greeting people, leading the processional and cleaning up, helpers of all ages pitch in eagerly.
"Our congregation is great and they really look forward to it as a really nice way to kick off Advent,” noted Ramage. "It's a social time for them and they can serve the congregation and community.”
While the church hopes to break even every year after subtracting costs such as food and paying performers, West's madrigal event is a major fundraiser for the school's vocal department. A portion of the funds are earmarked for a European tour the Chorale takes every three years, with students just completing one last summer, while other monies help pay for festivals and other necessities.
The Elizabethan Madrigal Feaste program mostly features medieval music, although choral director Russ Larimer said he does ask the audience to suspend disbelief occasionally when an ensemble jumps to a modern piece. Larimer pens a detailed script every year that weaves a tapestry of music, song and comedy, which his students perform with gusto. The Choral-Aires ensemble does most of the heavy lifting during the show, singing between 10-15 pieces and leading the skit.
"The skit is always a montage of several things, usually a parody of existing musicals melded into fairy tales or movies — it's hard to say what's going to pop up any given year,” said Larimer, noting that all his singers are involved from decorations to serving to clean up. "They really enjoy doing the funny things although they jump back and forth between the serious and the comedic quite readily.”
By participating with the Presbyterian Church, Central High School's Choral program also receives a financial boost as their compensation helps defray costs of student travel and participation fees for festivals and workshops. Singing a Capella, the Choral-Aires will present traditional songs such as "The Boars Head Carol”, the Wassail song, "O Come all Ye Faithful”, "Silent Night”, and "God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” as well as some comical or intense and challenging songs. The Vocal Majority ensemble, which is directed by Margie Hunter, an elementary school teacher in the district, presents a separate program during the Advent Madrigal Dinner.
Central choral director Tami Grove appreciates the opportunity for her students.
"It is extremely important for these young professionals to perform for the community because it provides experience, motivation and inspiration for them and their audiences during the holiday season,” she said.
Nine adult and teen dancers with the Ballet Royale de Courtiers present a visual feast of English and Italian court dances dating to 1550-1650 during the Presbyterian Church's Advent Madrigal Dinner. Director Thomas Morrell learned these dances while in college and applies his own creative twist to them.
"It's just like I do with my ballets: original choreography using traditional steps,” said Morrell, a member of the church who has donated his troupe to the event for the past ten years. "For us and the church, the Madrigal Dinner is what the Nutcracker is to Interlochen: an annual tradition that marks the beginning of Advent.”
The Presbyterian Church's 39th annual Advent Madrigal Dinner will be held at the church, 701 Westminster, on Wednesday, December 6, Thursday, December 7, and Friday, December 8. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. each night. Tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for children under 10. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact the church at 946-5680.
West High School's Tenth Annual Elizabethan Madrigal Feaste will be presented over two weekends on December 9, 10, 16 and 17. The dinner and show starts at 6:30 p.m. in the school's commons banquet area. Tickets are $30 per person and can be reserved at 933-7509.