When the curtain lifted on Bemidji State University’s Madrigal Dinners on Dec. 5, the efforts of nearly 60 students and alumni on this year’s cast helped bring this northern Minnesota Yuletide tradition to the Bemidji community.
At BSU’s Madrigal Dinners singers recreate the atmosphere of a renaissance feast once held in English castles, bringing to life the regal pageantry and ceremonial pomp of Merrie Olde England. The evening features music from the Royal Court, Minstrels, Beggars, Cellar Keepers, Recorders, and a masque presented by the King’s Players –– all while guests enjoy a five-course dinner.
“Each year, we entertain over a thousand guests who have either made this event a holiday tradition or are discovering it for the first time,” said Dr. Brad Logan, professor of music at Bemidji State and director of the Madrigal Dinners. “As always, we anticipate a feast fit for a king and pageantry to delight both the eyes and the ears.”
BSU’s Madrigal Dinners, now in their 46th year, were founded under the tenure of Dr. Paul Brandvik, professor emeritus of vocal music. The tradition caught on with audiences and is now performed by various groups across the country.
Contact
• Dr. P. Bradley Logan, professor of music, Bemidji State University; (218) 755-2918
• Madrigal Dinners office; (218) 755-3406
• Laura Holm, Department of Music, (218) 755-2915, lholm@bemidjistate.edu
2014 Madrigal Dinners Cast
Bemidji |56601| Miranda Carlson, junior, music education; soprano
Bemidji |56601| Cooper Blackwood, senior, science, tenor; beggar
Bemidji |56601| Bob Boland, senior, music, tenor; Royal Court
Bemidji |56601| Meghan Dougherty, freshman, music, soprano; trouvere
Bemidji |56601| Isaiah Greer, freshman, business administration; bass, waiter
Bemidji |56601| Kevin Harder, freshman, exercise science, tenor; masque, Merton
Bemidji |56601| Mallory Herbert, BSU alumna; tenor, minstrel
Bemidji |56601| NikkiLee Nolden, sophomore, music education; alto, Royal Court
Bemidji |56601| Amy Peterson, junior, elementary education, soprano; cellar keeper
Bemidji |56601| Josh Sorenson, sophomore, music education; tenor, minstrel
MINNESOTA
Anoka |55303| Ali Lekkas, junior, elementary education; soprano, cellar keeper
Atwater |56209| Luke Maurer, junior, Spanish; tenor, trouvere
Bagley |56621| Mark Flaherty, freshman, music; tenor, waiter
Brainerd |56401| Diana Fellman, junior, psychology; alto, cellar keeper
Brainerd |56401| Megan Tschida, junior, business administration; soprano, masque, BOB
Blaine |55434| Gwendolyn Erickson, senior, music; soprano, Royal Court
Bovey |55709| Tia Ellies, senior, music education; soprano, recorder
Buffalo |55313| Justine Green, freshman, elementary education; alto, waiter
Clarkfield |56223| Andrew McCormick, junior, music education; bass, beggar
Crookston |56716| Mitchel Wright, sophomore, science; bass, waiter
Duluth |55803| Cailyn Coen, freshman, psychology; alto, cellar keeper
Farmington |55024| Katie Aaron, freshman, elementary education; alto, page
Fergus Falls |56537| Samantha Velde, freshman, music education; alto, waiter
Gaylord |55334| Sonja Sprandel, senior, English education; alto, waiter
Grand Rapids |55744| Miranda Fierek, senior, music education; soprano, waiter
Hawley |565649| Danielle Nicholson, sophomore, English; soprano, waiter
Hibbing |55746| Marie Bozovsky, fresman, elementary education; soprano
Hibbing |55746| Andrea Rupp, junior, environmental studies; alto, page
Hibbing |55746| Christine Wilson, sophomore, music education; soprano, Royal Court
Ironton |56455| Cameron Trott, sophomore, music education; recorder
Ironton |56455| Cassidy Trott, sophomore, music; recorder
Laporte |56461| Ben Poulton, sophomore, general studies; bass, waiter
LeSueur |56058| Luke Barnard, sophomore, music; tenor, Royal Court
Lino Lakes |55014| Ben Israelson, junior, music; bass, Chamber Singers, Royal Court
Lino Lakes |55014| Jessica Meierhofer, senior, psychology; alto, beggar
Little Canada |55109| Callie Dunbar, senior, social work; alto, royal court
Mankato|56001| Kathryn Freyberg, sophomore, business administration; alto, cellar keeper
Maple Grove |55311| Josh May, junior, music; trumpet
Mentor |56736| Katilynn Meine, sophomore, music education; soprano, minstrel
Monticello |55362| Collin Dessellier, senior, music education; tenor, Royal Court
Morris |56267| Tristan Michaelson, senior, biology; bass, masque, witch
Mounds View |55112| Stephen Martin, sophomore; music, trumpet
Ortonville |56278| Maggie Ragan, senior, music education; alto, Royal Court
Paynesville |56365| Cody Lieser, junior, psychology; bass, Royal Court
Pipestone |56164| Alex Abrahamson, freshman, biology; bass, waiter
Princeton |55371| Hannah Jenson, freshman, music education; masque, jester
Prior Lake |55372| Zach Fistrovich, sophomore, art and design; bass, waiter
Redwood Falls |56283| Derek Bebeau, sophomore, music education; bass, Royal Court
Roseville |55113| Mathew Perry, sophomore, music; tenor, Royal Court
Staples |56479| Lynnea Iverson, senior, music education; recorder
Slayton |56172| Molly Bass, senior, music education; tenor, minstrel
St. Paul |55102| Annalise Aakhus, junior, music education; alto, cellar keeper
Thief River Falls |56701| Leandra Craigmile, sophomore, music education; alto, Royal Court
Thief River Falls |56701| Lorrisa Skalsky, senior, music education; soprano, beggar
Thief River Falls |56701| Tanner Wang, senior, music education; bass, minstrel
OREGON
Florence |97439| Andreu Reed, sophomore, general studies; bass, waiter
TEXAS
Bedford |76021| Caitlin Rogers, senior, music; alto, masque, step-mom/dad
WISCONSIN
Chippewa Falls |54729| Kyle Baldeshwiler, sophomore, music education; bass, trouvere
SWITZERLAND
Schupfheim |6170| Sandra Emmenegger, non-degree-seeking student; music, alto