Jefferson College’s Ye Olde Madrigal Feaste is not necessarily a holiday-season event, but offers a Christmassy atmosphere.
This year’s event is set for 7 p.m. Saturday at the Student Center Cafe on the Hillsboro campus. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $40 and include dinner with performances by the Jefferson College Chamber Singers and instrumental chamber ensembles. For tickets or ticket information, go to jeffcopace.ludus.com.
Elke Overton, professor of music, and Paula Martin, choral director, are organizing the event and directing the performers.
“Madrigals were songs from the Renaissance era, 1450 to 1600,” Overton said. “It’s not necessarily music for Christmas. But, we always have the event in December.”
Martin said the performers will wear period garb.
“They’ll be dressed in Renaissance costumes,” she said.
Performers include Jefferson College students and others, Overton said.
“I have students and members of the community (in the groups),” she said. “They’re from all around the area.”
The directors said the annual madrigal event at the college started decades ago but was dropped for a long period of time until it was revived.
“Richard Bell was the college’s chamber director for 25 years,” Overton said. “I believe he started the first madrigal event in 1972. He did it through about 1996. We brought it back a few years ago.”
Martin said the event is a highlight of the school year.
“The students really look forward to it,” she said.
The dinner includes ham, potatoes, salad, vegetables, bread pudding and drinks. A vegan option is available.
Overton said the madrigal event is a fundraiser for the Jefferson College chapter of the National Association for Music Education.
For more information, send emails to eoverton@jeffco.edu or pmartin5@jeffco.edu.