Madrigals/Vocal Jazz Ensemble

Madrigals/Vocal Jazz Ensemble is very simply the top 22 singers in grades 11-12 at Memorial. They are a Victorian caroling ensemble, a Renaissance madrigal group and a vocal jazz ensemble all rolled into one. Audition procedures are the same as Old Abe Show Choir and members of this group are also part of the OASC.

The Memorial Madrigals have built a reputation of performing excellence over the years due to the efforts of people like you. You have worked hard to develop your talents and hone your skills to the point where you are eligible for a group of this level. You, our school, and our community deserve the very best that the madrigals can be and by the looks of the talent and dedication, this could be one of our best years yet. I wish you a fun and successful year full of lifetime memories.

By its nature, grading in this group can be a bit vague so I have made an attempt to explain the basis for your grade. I know that most of you are excellent students and for people like you the best surprise in a quarter grade is no surprise.

Quarter Grade Make-Up

Explanations:

Effort - It is assumed you will exhibit a high degree of commitment and energy because, as you all know, that's what makes the Madrigals great.

Preparation - There never seems to be enough time in the hour to get everything done. Consequently , there needs to be a fair amount of outside practice on the music and to bring us all to the level of performance that people have come to expect of us. So PRACTICE.

Attendance - This one is the toughest- expectation is that you will never miss a gig or an outside rehearsal but sometimes (rarely we hope) something may get in the way. We expect this group to be one of your highest priorities but in the event that you must miss we will allow some make-up. On the subject of daily attendance; you have been selected in part because of your good attendance record- keep up the good work.

Some reminders:

1) Our choir and our performance will be limited only by our least prepared member. Let's bring everyone up to "A" level

2) In any artistic endeavor details make the difference.

3) You are a wonderful group of caring musicians. Take time this year to enjoy each others' company.

4) This year will go by far too quickly for us and then it only lives in our memories. Start now to make those memories the best they can be.

HAVE A TERRIFIC GROUP AND A GREAT YEAR!!!

The term "madrigal" was used as far back as the 1300's in Italy to describe a musical form in which only two voices sang a poetic text. However, the musical genre we most often associate with the term "madrigal" was born in the late 1400's.

Madrigals were sung in all sorts of courtly social gatherings; in Italy they were sung especially at meetings of the academies. The free atmosphere of the secular surroundings in which madrigals were sung encouraged experimentation; thus, the madrigal was the most progressive and forward-looking genre in the 1500's. The madrigal evolved from the italian frottola, which was a four-part rhythmically animated piece with very little counterpoint(independent musical lines which "weave" around each other). The madrigal was a secular piece of vocal chamber music intended ideally for performers with one singer to a part, although doubling was common. Each voice part had equal importance and reinforced the spontaneous flow of the whole piece. Throughout its history the madrigal was almost always unaccompanied. During the early phase of the madrigal, before 1550, it contained four parts which were rhythmically animated and diatonic(within the scale, not chromatic). During the transitional phase, 1550-1570, the madrigal became more serious, the texts not as light-hearted as before. Also, more chromaticism and counterpoint in vocal lines were common. In the late 1500's, the madrigal became a very "extreme" piece as chromaticism and bizarre harmonies were abundant in the piece. The madrigal's popularity declined in the early 1600's as it became more of a vocal solo with instrumental accompaniment.

Though the madrigal originated in Italy, both the Netherlanders and Italians were prevalent composers of the genre. Orlando di Lasso, a Netherlander, was a very prolific composer of carefully refined madrigals and was internationally renowned. Also very important was the unique madrigal style which the English developed. Thomas Morley and Thomas Weelkes wrote songs in a predominantly homophonic(same rhythms in each voice), four-part texture in a dance-like meter. These charming pieces were very light and often used the non-sense "fa-la-la" refrain.

CHOIR REPRESENTATIVES

Co-Choir Representatives assist with the needs of their child’s choir and represents their child’s choir at the MHS Choir Boosters’ membership meeting. Some of the co-choir representative responsibilities include chairing calling committees for their assigned choir, assisting fundraiser chairs in recruiting volunteers as needed and recruiting ushers for all concerts and solo and ensemble along with reporting who is ushering to co-vice presidents ahead of time.

Treble choir, Mixed choir and Concert choir need to have 2 ushers recruits per/concert.

Due to the smaller size, Men of Memorial need only 1 usher recruit per/concert.

Show choir representatives do not need to recruit ushers, but may be asked to recruit chaperons for bus travel, hotel chaperons for overnight stays and/or help organize or recruit volunteers to organize other group gatherings.

All representatives may also be asked by their child’s director to assist their child’s choir in other ways, (example: handing out robes…).