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The Madrigal Singers were founded in 1997 by Ryan Hourigan to challange vocal students and provide a medium to explore challenging literature. Now, in its 10th season, the Madrigal Choir is the premier vocal ensemble at Benet Academy. It is an auditioned group open to Juniors and Seniors. They meet everyday for 20 minutes opposite their lunch break. It is an extra-curricular ensemble with no grade and no credit, but participation does appear on the students’ transcript.
The Madrigals perform a program of traditional motets, madrigals, and contemporary a cappella chamber selections at the fall, winter, and spring concerts, as well as vocal jazz, pop, or Broadway arrangements at the spring concert. In addition to the Christmas Concerts, in December, they host their own event, a Madrigal Dinner, featuring period costumes, dinner, and great music for the holiday season. They are also available for performance at a limited number of outside engagements.
The Madrigals participate in an outreach program by performing for the pediatric oncology patients at Central Dupage Hospital and the residents of Villa St. Benedict and Independence Village Retirement Homes. In addition, the choir hosts a madrigal dinner and makes several caroling appearances in December.
The Madrigal Singers were a feature performing group for the Illinois Music Educator Association’s state convention in January 2006. In the last 5 years, the Madrigals have toured Ireland, Quebec, Austria, Prague, and most recently, a trip to sing in the 4 pilgrimage Basilicas of Rome in the summer of 2006.
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