Music Department holds Madrigal Feaste

The fairies and the students at the head table entertain the during one of the Madrigal Feaste fanfares.

On the nights of December 1 and 2, guests were transported back to Merrie Olde England to celebrate Ye Olde Madrigal Christmas Feaste. The high school entryway, commons area, and tables were adorned with Christmas decorations. Trumpet fanfares announced the Jester's Welcum, the Synger's Procession, the Procession of Wassail, the Pre Dinner Consort, the Boar's Head Processional, the Fairy Entertainment, the After Dinner Consort, the Jester's Farewell, and the Recessional.

Throughout the meal, students entertained with music, songs, dances, and jester's humor. The entertainers were dressed in elaborate costumes of Elizabethan England.

Sophomore Amy Dunn and junior Hannah Thompson try to decide whether or not to accept Jester Ethan Fritz's, freshman, "Twelve Days of Christmas" offering.

Reflecting on how the performances went, FCHS vocal music teacher and Madrigal director Alisha Sutton said, "I think the students were more calm and under control for Sunday's performance, which made the show go very well. However, since the Madrigal was a new experience for most of the students, Saturday was fun to watch because it was their true reactions. They didn't know what to expect and it showed on their faces. I am very proud of the students for their hard work on both days. I couldn't have asked for the outcome to have been any better."

All attendees were given a program that contained some background information about the celebration of the Christmas Madrigal Feaste and the menu. It also included a "Book of Cortasye" with the following rules:

• Gueysts myst hav nayles cleane or they wyll dysgust theyre table companyones.
• Gueysts myst not stuff theyre mouths.
• Gueysts shoule not pyck theyre teeth at the table wyth a knyfe, strawe, or stycke.
• Gueysts shoule not tell unseemly tales at the table, nor soyle the clothe wyth theyre knyfe, nor reste theyre legs upon the table.
• Gueysts myst never leave bones on the table; allways hyde them under the chayres. Never dyp fingers too deeply in sauces; anything beyond first joynt is uncouth.
• Gueysts myst not wype theyre greezy fingers on theyre beardes.
• Gueysts myst not leane on the table wyth theyre elbowes, nor dyp theyre thumbs in theyre drynke.

During the jesters' entertainment, freshman Zech Bragg is injured in a joust.

Commenting on holding the Madrigal Feaste, Mrs. Sutton said, "When I was in high school, here at Falls City, Mrs. Appleoff had Madrigal dinners. My best memories from thenwere from those dinners. When I returned to teach here at the high school, I wanted to bring it back. I do believe there was at least one feaste held between the time I graduated and when I returned." She added, "I feel that this is a great way to get my entire choral department involved in not only singing but acting, decorating, and working together. And it is a great music history lesson as well. We discuss what the Renaissance and Middle Ages were like to get a feel for how our shows should be. It is also a great reward for the students to have a fun time with the community."

After the production, the students got to watch a video of the Madrigal Feaste. Mrs. Sutton explained, "Watching the students reactions when they watch the video is great. They see what talent they have and what they can do when they work as a group. And to watch that student who thought that the Madrigal would be 'stupid' actually enjoy the night is something you just don't forget. When they have so much fun that they want to have a
feaste every year, that is a great feeling."

For the music director, the rewards far outweighed the challenges. She said, "I love having the Madrigals. I am thankful for everyone that helped with it; but again, without our administration and the school board allowing such events into our district, the students would really miss out on a lot of teaching and learning."