Music and dinner – the Music Department’s Madrigal Choir does it all in their upcoming show entitled “Once Upon A Time…The End”.

Now in its 32nd year, students in Luke Warren’s Madrigal choir are excited to keep the tradition alive. This November, performance will be on November 8 and 9 at 7 pm, 10 at 1 and 7 pm, 11 at 4:00 pm. The cost is $15 for students and $20 for adults for the 2 hour show, which includes a full meal. All proceeds benefit the Choir Bossters.

“It’s basically a musical play set in the Renaissance with provided dinner.” saidTravis Tueffel, who plays Count Thom.

Students audition at the end of the previous school year for the coveted spots in this elite group which consists of 30 members – 15 men and 15 women. Over the summer, the cast members met to write their own script.

“First, we had to pick a theme,“ said Ashley Johnson who plays Empress Joan.

They chose the theme of 2012, the end of the world. They thought it was relevant because so many people were talking about the Mayan calendar end of the world.

“We all got together and talked it through and would write the script. There would be no script changes when we weren’t together in meetings,” said Collin Katseres who plays Duke Aldeen.

Then, in September, the specific parts each student plays was chosen by auditions where they read for a character from the script.

Connor Lysholm was cast as the King this year and Jill Morgan as the Queen.

“As King, you have to blow the right pitch in the pitch pipe because if something goes off track it’s the responsibility of the king to bring it back on track,” said Lysholm. “and the queen leads the rhythm of the songs.”

They practice every day during 5th hour with their director. Warren says the most challenging thing about Madrigals is that there is so much to do in what seems like so little time.

“The music is hard to do but it’s a ‘necessary evil,” Warren said. However, when it all comes together he is very proud of his students when they are on stage performing.

“Madrigals was so fun because, even though it’s a dinner theater, it’s not just that. We did parades and caroling for kids. With a choir of just 28 or 30 kids we were able to create an amazing sound,” said former member Jared Jon Jerzak who plans to return for the festivities this year.

The whole team has been working diligently to make sure each performance is a thing to remember. People who are interested in a sneak peek can attend the Anoka Halloween Parade on October 27 to hear the choir sing.

Amelia Tesdahl and Abilene Olson agreed that the best thing about performing in Madrigals is performing with friends.

“It makes our sound that much better because we have so much trust, “ said Tesdahl who plays Scholar Elinor.

Olson, who plays Baroness Estelle agreed. “It’s not even the singing,” she said, “The best thing is the sense of community.”