Madrigals at Christmastime

By: Faithanne Rukavina

Candlelight, bells, warm, scrumptious food, joyous voices, and laughter ringing in the air. That is a memory that is fond of many when it comes to Madrigals during the Christmas season. Also known as the Camerata Chamber Singers, Madrigals is a smaller group of singers that perform in the masque. The masque is a lavish courtly entertainment featuring music, dance, elaborate costumes, and scenery. They also serve an exquisite dinner with a delectable dessert. This Madrigal group usually consists of 4 sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses. Within this dinner drama, most of the ensemble play part of the royal party, eating a fabulous meal with the king and queen. A smaller group plays humorous characters along with the king and queen. The style of this performance is Renaissance and early Baroque periods, which adds to the magical feel. The beloved Madrigal Dinner returns December 5–7. Each evening begins with a 6:30 p.m. reception in the Ward Lobby of the McDonald Center before guests are led to Salsbury Dining Hall for a 7 p.m. feast. Between each course, audiences are treated to lively entertainment—jokes, dramatic sketches, solos, instrumental pieces, and of course, the rich harmonies of the Madrigal Singers. Student musicians, dancers, and even a court jester round out the Renaissance-style celebration. There will be a student showing on the first night, where it will be a free way to support your classmates who will be performing, while also getting a good laugh. The Madrigal Dinner tradition started here at the University of Sioux Falls in 1963, founded by Lois Harchanko, who was a music professor. Ever since, students who have been cast in this group have been performing with the audience eager to attend each year. It is now run by David Dehoogh-Kliewer, and he takes a lot of pride in it. “Christmas time would not feel the same without seeing madrigals!” many of the guests say while leaving the performance. Madrigals are not easy groups to be a part of. Many would groan when asked how hard it is to be let in when one auditions. At the beginning, rehearsals are at noon on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays for 50 minutes each. The roles of king and queen are routinely given to whoever has been a part of Madrigals for the longest. This year, the titles of King and Queen go to Elijah Olson and Anna Klungseth. For Elijah, he heard of the opportunity and decided to give it a shot. He ended up having a blast. In Elijah’s words, it was “extremely fun and enjoyable” to be a part of, especially since you can be able to do it with your friends. Elijah continues to do it since it feels so natural to keep going. One of his favorite parts of Madrigals has been the bells. “The bells are great.” Elijah laughs in excitement. Although there may be a lot of work to learn bell parts alongside memorizing their own music to sing, it is very rewarding in the end. For Anna, madrigals seemed appealing to her because of the community. “The community seemed really strong. I’ve made a lot of my closet friends through Chorale and Madrigals, and it is so fun to be goofy and perform.” As the final notes fade and the last candle flickers, the Madrigal Dinner leaves guests with more than a festive evening; it offers a glimpse into centuries of musical tradition and the vibrant spirit of USF’s campus community. Whether you come for the music, the feast, or the camaraderie, the experience lingers long after the holiday season, reminding all who attend that the joy of singing and fellowship is timeless.