On November 30th and December 1st over 300 members of the community gathered at St. James Catholic church to watch the Madrigal’s annual Singe Feaste. The Madrigal choir transported the audience to 16th-century Europe with traditional carols and authentic decorations. 

The tradition of Singe Feaste is well renowned in the community dating back over 50 years and for many, it starts their Christmas season just right. Director Suzy Williams works with her Madrigal students to bring the event to life. According to Williams, Singe Feaste started under Madrigal’s first director Kim Coker.

“There are many people that come every year to the Madrigal dinner and say that it starts their Christmas season off, it gets them in the Christmas spirit,” Williams said.

Members of Madrigals are appreciative of the community support and look forward to the event every year.

 “It’s really fun when we get to present to the community. I love seeing people’s reactions to us,” senior Caleigh Martin said. 

The group sings songs related to Christmas from the past and the present. The group uses a variety of styles to convey the theme to the audience.

“We do not do only traditional Renaissance music, which is what a madrigal group customarily would do, but we do more– this program has everything on it from there’s no place like home for the holidays to a jazz version of Jingle Bells,” Williams said.

Madrigal singers practiced long hours in preparation for Singe Feaste. Members were given speaking parts to inform guests about the mid-century theme.

“Two weeks before [Singe Feaste] we practice every day after school until 6 pm. We don’t sing every day, but we run through all the logistics of it. We run through the acting, we learn the dance, we do all the skits that we do,” Martin said

Guests have to option not only to listen to the songs but to take part in a dinner. The dinner is culturally significant to mid-century Europe so guests feel immersed in the theme. 

One of the many culinary delights that guests try is Wassail. Wassail was used in English Yuletide rituals as well as harvests according to Researchers Gateway.

“It’s warm Spiced Cider. And we serve that first and we sing a song about that called the Wassail song. And then the next big course that comes out is the boar’s head. I’m pretty sure the menu always has pork loin or something like that on it. We bring out a giant boar head that’s all decorated up with fruit,” Williams said. 

Singe Feaste takes a lot of preparation and movement to bring the Christmas spirit to life. 

“[The] Madrigal dinner is a massive undertaking, and it takes a lot of help, we have the school system maintenance department that helps us tremendously. And then the parents help a lot,” Williams said.

While performing the performers stand on a set adorned with various wreaths and garland. The set was designed by Williams over 12 years ago and is mobile, but it takes a lot of help to make the stage look the best.

 “We began building the stage over at St. James. And then at two o’clock trailers and trucks came in with all of the boxes of bows and ribbons and ornaments and all of the things that make the feast. The school system delivered the stage over for us,” Williams said.

Singe Feaste is cherished among members of Madrigals and is one of the fondest memories of members.

“It’s kind of fun to think back on all the people that have been in there with me, and just think back on all the fond memories that each group has brought. Every group is a little bit different,” Martin said