November 16, 2006 - In the style of Merrie Olde England with costumes, decorations, comedy, and fanfare, the Arkansas State University Choirs will present the eighth Madrigal Feaste Nov. 30 – Dec. 2 at 6:30 p.m. in the Grand Hall of ASU’s Fowler Center, 201 Olympic Drive.

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 and seating will begin with the first fanfare at 6:30. 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 medallions, wild rice pilaf, green salad with dried cranberries and walnuts, and rolls. A flaming pudding will be served with the royal fanfare.

The lords and ladies of the Royal Court, played by members of the Chamber Singers, are as follows: Cassie Black of Searcy, Jamie Thompson of Rison, Elizabeth Schug of Paragould, Patricia Register of Florence, Ala., and Mandy Walker of Whitehall, sopranos; Jessica Crociata of Tampa, Fla., Megan Duncan of Searcy, Crystal Stormes of Goobertown, and Tiffanie Holland of Bryant, altos; Rusty Shields of Osceola, Justin Register of Huntsville, Ala., Devin Rivas-Martin of Salinas, Kan., and Nick Robbins of Manila, tenors; and Derrick Palmer of Brinkley, Jon Stevenson of North Little Rock, Edmond Hampton of Fort Smith, and Josh Wilcoxson of Kennett, Mo., basses.

The role of the Court Jester will be played by Perry Harper and the Steward will be Andrew Kjorlaug, both of Paragould. The knaves and wenches will be played by the remaining members of the ASU Concert Choir. Priscilla Noyes, graduate student in music, will play harpsichord along with the student brass ensemble. Jay Shepherd of the ASU guitar studio will be a featured soloist.

Tickets for the Nov. 30 performance will be available through Nov. 27, and Dec. 2 tickets may be purchased through Nov. 29 at the ASU Central Box Office or by calling (870) 972-2781 or (888) 278-3267. The Dec. 1 performance will be hosted by the ASU Faculty Women’s Club and tickets may be obtained by contacting Carol Tinsley at (870) 972-3234.

All seats are reserved, and space is limited. 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 concert tour to New York to sing in Carnegie Hall in January 2008, and the choral scholarship program.

For more information contact Dale Miller in the Department of Music at (870) 972-2094.