Chamber Singers to perform 
Madrigal Feaste Dec. 2 and 3

In the style of Merrie Olde England with costumes, decorations, comedy and fanfare, the choirs at Arkansas State University in Jonesboro will present the sixth Madrigal Feaste Thursday, Dec. 2, and Friday, Dec. 3, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Dr., on the ASU campus. 

The Chamber Singers, led by Dr. Dale Miller, director of choral activities, will host the evening’s entertainment and serve as the court of King Henry the Eighth of England, Jonesboro, and Craighead County. 

Guests will enjoy the wassail bowl beginning at 6:15 p.m., and seating will begin with the first fanfare at 6:30 p.m. 

Tickets for Thursday’s performance will be available through Monday, Nov. 29, at the ASU Central Box Office, 870-972-ASU1, or 888-ASU-FANS. Friday evening’s performance is hosted by the ASU Faculty Women’s Club and tickets may be obtained through Dec. 1, by contacting Irene Martz at 870-972-2030. 

All seats are reserved and are limited by space availability. Tickets are $30 for general admission, and $25 for ASU faculty, staff, and students, as well as senior citizens. Proceeds will benefit the ASU Choir program.  

The music of the feaste will include traditional carols by the servers and audience, brass fanfares and harpsichord solos, as well as madrigals and chansons by the royal court. The menu for the royal feaste will include Cornish game hen and pork loin, green peas and carrots, roasted potatoes, salad, and rolls. 

The Royal Court, played by the members of the Chamber Singers, are:  King Henry the Eighth, Dr. Miller; Queen Anne Boleynn, Rachel Warnick of Jonesboro; Lord and Lady Cumberbund, Rusty Shields of Osceola and Cassie Black of Searcy; Sir Henry and Lady Eliza Higgins, Adam Sherwood of Searcy and Sherry Fagan of Tampa, Fla.; Baron and Baroness Kartoffelnpuffer, Josh Wilcoxson of Kennett, Mo., and Tara Skinner of Daytona Beach, Fla.; Don and Dona de la Vega, Derrick Palmer of Brinkley and Crystal Stormes of Goobertown; Lord and Lady Wellington, Daniel Harrelson of Warren and Krystal Story of Camden; Sir Matthew and Lady Amanda of Nottingham, Matt Vardell of Jonesboro and Mandy Walker of White Hall; and Lord and Lady Worchestershire, Jon Schug of Paragould and Carolyn Smith of Huntsville, Ala. 

The role of the Court Jester will be played by Perry Harper and the Steward will be Andrew Kjorlaug, both of Paragould.  Two additional players in the short comedy “Information Highway” are Nic Sheppard of Doniphan, Mo., and Heather Chance of Harrisburg.

The servants will be played by the remaining members of the ASU Concert Choir. Ellen Philpot, adjunct instructor in music, will play harpsichord and the student brass ensemble will also play.  Guitarists will be ASU students Justin Dugger of Batesville and Jay Shepherd of Paragould.

For more information, call the Department of Music at 870-972-2094.