Montana State to host madrigal feast and performance Dec. 6-7

BOZEMAN - For two nights in December, Montana State University's ballrooms will transform into a holiday scene reminiscent of the Renaissance era.

MSU's School of Music and College of Arts and Architecture will host the 61st annual Madrigal Dinner at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6, and Sunday, Dec. 7, in the Strand Union Building ballrooms. An additional feast will take place in Big Sky at 5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 4, at Bucks T-4 Restaurant, 46625 Gallatin Road.

Donning Renaissance attire, musicians will present skits and holiday carols traditionally sung during the 12 days of Christmas. The Montana State Youth Chorale will join two MSU choirs - Voces Luminis and the Montanans - in the performance, which is accompanied by a pork loin dinner or vegetarian option, prepared by University Catering for the Bozeman dinner. The feast also includes desserts and wassail, a mulled cider drink.

"The Madrigal Dinner is one of the oldest holiday events in the Gallatin Valley," said Kirk Aamot, event organizer and professor in the School of Music. "The students love it because they get to dress up and entertain the guests, and it's always a very festive evening."

Tickets for the Bozeman performance cost $45 and are available for purchase starting Friday, Nov. 7, through the Bobcat Ticket Office at 406-994-CATS. Tickets for the Big Sky feast are on sale for $125 through the Arts Council of Big Sky's website.