LCHS Ye Olde Madrigal Dinner 27th and last for director Kim Peterson-Quinn

 

[November 15, 2023] 

On November 11 and 12, Lincoln Community High School choir presented Ye Olde Madrigal dinner directed by LCHS music teacher Kim Peterson-Quinn.

On Saturday night, the high school café was elegantly decorated with strands of lights around the room and flowers on the tables. Guests entered under an arch as the Madrigal Instrument Ensemble, led by band teacher Nigel Range, played Christmas music. Kaylea Ingram and Cadence Shawgo welcomed people coming in.

To begin the program, Peterson-Quinn welcomed everyone to the 27th Madrigal she has directed. It is her final year directing the madrigal since she will be retiring at the end of the school year.

Peterson-Quinn said the madrigal is a big fundraiser for the LCHS choir. She thanked many who were involved in helping with the madrigal including Range, accompanist Julie Kasa, script/artistic consultant Tom Quinn, king and queen costume maker Kristen Green and jester costume maker Helen Knecht.

Next was the Jesters’ Greeting with jesters Presley Coale and Charlie McFadden welcoming all to celebrate the newborn king that was followed by the Lords and Ladies singing “A great and mighty wonder.”

The Royal Court made up of King Logan Pumfrey, Queen Kristina Morrow, Princess Maelee Cunningham and Princess Emery Kitterman then welcomed everyone to join in the Wassail toast.

After the madrigal fanfare summoning the boar's head, Queen Kristina asked that the boar's head be brought in. It was placed on a table as the instrumental ensemble played the “Boar’s Head Carol.”

In the jesters’ Madrigal Manners skit, Asher Jackson, Gray Tolliver, Percy Paradee and Emma Adams read everyone a list of manners that included not pilfering silverware and not fighting. Those caught making a disturbance could be thrown in the stocks at the back of the room. They could only get out of the stocks when those at their table paid the bond.

Lords and Ladies then served a delicious dinner of ham, potatoes, green beans, salad and red velvet cake, which was prepared by Kelly Tripplett and her culinary arts class.

The choir then sang “A Social Madrigal,” which was a parody song referring to communication through Google, Facebook and Twitter.

“It was a Lover and a Lass” told the story of a couple of serfs as they met and courted. The farcical romance skit depicted a lover’s quarrel. After their quarrel the serf's wife sells her hair to buy him a plow and the serf sells his ox to buy her a sundial.

Peasants on Parade was a dating games style skit with a man named Ned played by Levi Allison asking questions of Maiden One played by Jasmine Leon, Maiden Two played by Izzy miller, and Maiden Three played by summer Barone. In the end Ned chooses Maiden Three.

Jester Presley and wench Emma Adams presented “I know what you're thinking” with the wench continually criticizing the jester. They end up each throwing a pie in the other's face.

In “Welcome to the Renaissance,” the Lords and Ladies sang a history lesson of sorts about some of the events during that era.

William Shakespeare, played by Wyatt Ulvestad, next appeared and is approached with a request to write a Christmas toast. When Shakespeare said his pen is past its peak, he is told that poetry is still alive and well as the jesters remind him of the Holy Family. After some convincing Shakespeare finally writes a toast.

As the first part of the program drew to a close Sir Cad and Sir Guy played by Alexander Quisenberry and Jasper Ramsey participate in a sword fight before hugging each other and putting their differences aside.

During the intermission, everyone had an opportunity to buy their favorite madrigal participant a rose or two, take a photo with one of them or buy a treat from the bake sale to help with the fundraising.

The second half of the program consisted of songs and carols after the jester and the wench summoned the concert.

The song “12 Days After Christmas” told what happened to everything that was given during the twelve days of Christmas. For instance, the pear tree was cut down and the partridge shot, the French hens were cooked and the golden rings became tarnished.

Princess Emery introduced “Carol of the Annunciation,” Princess Maelee introduced “Fum! Fum! Fum!” and Queen Kristina introduced “Medieval Noel,” which were sung by ensembles.

The three women of the royal court then introduced “Throw Open Your Shutters,” which encourages “ye maids and lads” to celebrate the festive Christmas day by ringing bells, letting the psaltry play and dancing.

Once King Logan bade everyone a goodnight, the choir sang “Silent Night” joined by returning Ladies and Lords who had been in past madrigals.

The evening ended with a farewell from the jesters wishing everyone well during the holy season.

Sunday afternoon, there was another dessert only madrigal performance.

[Angela Reiners ]