FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 20, 2007
Contact: Debra Atkinson
(662) 329-7430

Madrigal Singers to present Christmas Madrigal Feast

COLUMBUS, Miss. -- The Mississippi University for Women Madrigal Singers will present a Christmas Madrigal Feast on Thursday, Nov. 29 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pope Banquet Room in Hogarth.

The Madrigal Feast has been growing in popularity over the last 20 years or so as many high school and college madrigal groups have begun to host them. The group will sing traditional Christmas Carols from around the world, including English, Spanish, French, and German carols. There is also one traditional Renaissance piece composed by Tomas Victoria that will be sung in Latin.

The Madrigals will be wearing 16th century Renaissance costumes, some of which were made by the performers. Because the Feast has become popular in recent years, there are several online sources available for buying or renting costumes. Theatre major Drue Hickox acted as costume consultant with regard to colors and fabrics and each student was assigned a particular color to wear.

The traditional parts of the feast including an opening call, a processional, a prayer, a wassail song, the Boar's Head Carol, the dessert song, a concert of carols, a farewell song and a Recessional, which will be performed throughout the course of the dinner and skit.

The skit that will be performed is being directed by senior Theatre major Aja Wilson, who has enlisted the help of theatre students as well as others from campus.

“We all know what a talented actor Aja is and we are very exited that she is helping us with our production,” said Debra Atkinson, assistant professor of Music and Chorale director. “David Carter’s design class is handling the set design and the Pope Dining Hall will be transformed into a castle through the magical artistry of David and his design students.”

Culinary Arts students have been researching the traditional Madrigal Feast fare and have submitted recipes to be tested for use in the program. There will be a 3 course meal including a salad, soup, entree and dessert along with the traditional Christmas Wassail.

“We are very excited about this joint venture between Culinary Arts, Music and Theater and hope that it will become a yearly tradition here at MUW. Hopefully, next year we will be able to extend it to more than one evening and allow more of the Columbus community a chance to join us,” said Atkinson.

A limited number of seats are available and the cost per ticket is $40. For more information, call Debra Atkinson at 329-7430 or e-mail her at datkinson@as.muw.edu.