Department of Music to present annual Madrigal Feaste, Dec. 4-5

Nov. 3, 2008 -- The Arkansas State University Choirs will present the seventh Madrigal Feaste on Thursday-Friday, Dec. 4-5, at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of ASU’s Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive, Jonesboro. The Madrigal Feaste will be in the traditional style of Merrie Olde England, with costumes, decorations, comedy, and fanfare. 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 the Thursday, Dec. 4 performance will be available through Monday, Dec. 1, and tickets for the Friday, Dec. 5 performance will be available through Tuesday, Dec.  2. Tickets for the Madrigal Feaste may be purchased at the ASU Central Box Office by calling (870) 972-ASU1, or by calling the toll-free number, 888-ASU-FANS. All seats are reserved and are limited by space available. Ticket prices are $35 for the general public, and $30 for ASU faculty, staff, and students, as well as senior citizens. Proceeds will benefit the ASU Choir’s scholarship program and an upcoming concert tour to Italy in March 2010.



The music of the feaste will include traditional carols by the servers and audience, and brass fanfares and harpsichord solos, as well as madrigals and chansons by the royal court. The menu for the royal feaste will include one-half Cornish hen and apricot-glazed pork medallion, corn pudding, carrot nests with green peas, citrus salad, rolls, and wassail. A flaming pudding will be served with the royal fanfare.

The lords and ladies of the Royal Court are played by the members of the Chamber Singers. The ladies of the Royal Court are Jeanie Clements of Batesville, Rebecca Craft of Jonesboro, Katie Fischer of Jacksonville, Susan Hulett of Mountain Home, Angela Jackson of Naylor, Mo., Renee Porter Smith of Houston, Texas, Kari Rickman of Bono, Janet Tullos of Cabot, and Roberta Tupper of Bartlesville, Okla. The lords of the Royal Court are Kyle Berry of Austin, Jeremy Carter of Paragould, Josh Dennis of Springfield, Mo., Greg Eberhard of Harrisburg, Nick Robbins of Manila, John Sherwood of Searcy, Brandon Stroud and Matt Vardell of Jonesboro, men.  Mr. Luca Strazzullo will play harpsichord, Jay Shepherd will play guitar, and the student brass ensemble will also help accompany the choirs.

For more information, contact Dr. Dale Miller (rdmiller@astate.edu) at (870) 972-3841.
 

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