By Kyra Hudson’20

 
Singers in Madrigals performed at the annual convocation on Dec.11 at the Saint Saviour’s Chapel at the Upper School. Convocations are religious services based off of the Episcopalian calendar that have been celebrated in the United States since the late 1800s. The service occurred during the season of advent. This event is a way for students of all different religions come together and be welcomed by Father J. Young, Upper School chaplain.
The group sang songs relating to the winter season, which included “Personent Hodie”,sung in Latin, the spiritual song “Singing on Christmas Morn” and a 16th century piece “Lo How A Rose E’er Blooming.”  The Madrigals have been participating in this tradition for 25 years and the event was open for everyone who desired to attend.
“I really enjoy having my choir being able to sing it the chapel because it is an amazing acoustical environment; it’s just incredible. It sounds good and you feel inspired,” Choral director Nina Burtchaell said.
In preparation for the convocation, the Madrigals went to the chapel the day before to practice their sound in a new space. To start off the event, the Madrigals entered with candles in hand to reflect the spiritual ceremony that was to take place. Guests sat in rows of seats on the side of the chapel to watch the Christian celebration.
Overall, performers and those who attended said that they enjoyed the ceremony
“I loved working with my peers and singing in a different environment that I usually do. Singing our normal pieces in addition to the hymnals we learned for a few days prior was a fun challenge and everyone defiantly bonded over the experience” Kate Konvitz ‘20 said.