February 11, 2025
A&E | Daily Chronicle
A&E

DeKalb presents the 30th annual Madrigal Dinners

A packed house listens to carols before dinner is served at the 2016 DeKalb High School Madrigal Dinner at Altgeld Hall. This year's dinner will be held Dec. 9 at DeKalb High School and Dec. 15 and 16 at Altgeld Hall. (Shaw Media)

The DeKalb High School Music Department's 30th annual Madrigal Dinners will be held for two weekends at two different locations. This holiday event showcases an audition-only vocal ensemble of 28 singers directed by DeKalb High School Choral Director Travis Erikson.

A Madrigal Dinner is an American form of dinner theater often held by schools, universities and church groups during the holiday season. It is set in the Middle Ages or Renaissance Period, and is generally comedic in nature. The meal is divided into courses, each of which is heralded with a traditional song. A play is performed between the courses, and a concert of choral music concludes the festivities.

Outfitted in Renaissance inspired attire constructed by Donna Schultz-Xidis and technical theater costume makers, the choir will perform a variety of pieces ranging from traditional Christmas carols to madrigals and chansons from the Renaissance. Other performing vocal and instrumental groups include troubadours, pages, a brass ensemble, a string ensemble and jesters to entertain.

The students performing in this year's Royal Court are: Benjamin Allen, Halle Beverly, Jackie Blanchard, Makiya Boyd, Trey Burchell, Emma Carpenter, Kaelynn Clark, Craig Croslow, Liam Decker, Daniel DeLap, Taylor Dirks, Dasjha Eguasa, Nate Harrison, Tegan Henrickson, Maria Holloway-Racine, Mark Jesmer, Olivia Klonoski, Jane Leopardo, Devonte Merrick, Keegan Moore, Isaiah Panke, Aaron Pope, Joseph Rodriguez, James Small, Richard Spahn, Allison Spotts, Grace Verbic and Elizabeth Warner.

The first dinner will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 9 at DeKalb High School. This event will be catered by Nat's on Maple and cost $22 per adult. Children's meals are available for $10.

The second weekend of dinners will be at 6:30 p.m. Dec. 15 and Dec. 16 at Northern Illinois University's Altgeld Hall. Tickets cost $30 for adults and $12 for children age 10 and younger.

Reservations are required for all dinners, they must be made by Wednesday, Dec. 6, for the dinner at DHS and Monday, Dec. 11, for the NIU dinner. Vegetarian meats are available upon request.

Call Angel Smith at the DHS Music Department at 815-754-2120 to make reservations.