It’s a North Coast musical tradition to welcome the season with old English madrigals by classic composers like John Dowland and Henry Purcell. The Madrigal Singers also perform Martin Shaw’s “Fanfare For Christmas Day,” Thomas Campion’s “Now Winter Nights Enlarge” and provide instructions on “Which is the Properest Day to Drink,” plus news of the day from the year 1600.
Mad River Transit takes over for the second half with jazz singing in a variety of tempos, including swing, be-bop and blues. With a rhythm section backing, the 18 singers in various combinations perform songs by composers ranging from Neil Young to Muddy Waters. Staff accompanist John Chernoff doffs his Renaissance robes to play some solo jazz piano.
Directed by Harley Muilenburg, the Madrigal and MRT singers perform on Sunday, December 8 at 8 p.m. in Fulkerson Recital Hall at HSU. Tickets are $8/$5 and free to HSU students with ID from the HSU Ticket Office (826-3928) or at the door. For more information, visit HSUmusic.blogspot.com. Produced by the HSU Music Department.