A Merry Madrigal Dinner

Southside High School’s Choir hosts a wonderful tradition and we were so impressed with the production…and not because our son was an actor in it!  The Madrigal Dinner is such a success in part to the professionalism and can do attitude of the choir director, Gaye McClure.  She’s one of the hardest working women I know.  The night is magical from the moment you enter the draped entrance and are greeted by young maidens dressed in period gowns.  They ask for your family name then pass this info on to the herald who announces your arrival to the court!  Another maid escorts you to your table, complete with name cards and real glass and china place settings. 

Candlelight is the only source of illumination and it truly sets the mood.  Think about it…a huge gymnasium lit with hundreds of candles, walls draped with “stone walls,” standards hanging from on high.  We were excited to see Patrick somewhere in the crowd as he said he would be working on the floor.  There were many maidens, trumpeters, pages and serving wenches around, but where was Patrick? After we had been seated for a few minutes, I got up to use the restroom and to find him.  On my way out, a seated beggar lifted his head and whispered at me…”hey Mom…my son was a bread peddler and as soon as the room was filled, he would get to work.

Once the audience was seated, dinner was served by maidens and wenches.  Once they cleared the tables, Patrick and another choir mate sprang to action peddling their breads.  It was another fundraiser for the choir and all sales were based off of what these two young men could sell to the lords and ladies.  Be careful that you don’t turn them down on their offer to purchase the bread because they would loudly yell that you are cheap, keeping their children starved at home and were not afraid to pick on you for the whole room to see ( and laugh at) until you bought their cinnamon bread!  Hysterical!

Embarrassing his dad to buy 3 loaves of bread in front of our table and guests…

The program was acapella with medieval Christmas tunes and was powerful. Mrs.. McClure leads to court to their places in song.       More of Patrick selling his bread… We were so proud of this production and the hundreds of hours that went into practice, decorating, cooking and cleaning by these fine young students and parents.  I hope you get the chance to attend a Madrigal dinner one day…if you are in Fort Smith, you must go to SHS’s!  A special thanks for our family and friends who sponsored Patrick in his choir ad sales this year…we really appreciate it!