Amidst all the bluster and bluff surrounding Haddonfield’s beleaguered school system, comes the season to be jolly. And with it, the annual Madrigal Dessert Theater, presented recently by the HMHS music department.
How personally refreshing to be surrounded, this time sound-surrounded, by a score of dynamic young singer/actors singing their hearts out for a very appreciative audience. So it was at this year’s awe-inspiring presentation by the noteworthy Madrigal Singers—underscoring Plato’s maxim, “I would teach children music, physics, and philosophy; but most importantly music, for the patterns in music and all the arts are the keys to learning.”
Lucky students to be on the receiving end of this kind of education. Lucky audience to be enthralled by the fruits of their studies. Like mercy, twice blessed.
The entire audience was obviously dazzled from beginning to end by a journey that magically propelled us to another time, another world; one of beauty, harmony, and infectious exuberance; and youthful goodwill, covering the musical gamut from 15th century to present-day, beautifully sung (and in tune!) to rambunctious frivolity. Marvelous repertoire, marvelous musical arrangements, even for the discriminant listener. More than words can tell. You had to be there.
Like Ebeneezer Scrooge, my own faith in the future, our country, our town, our people, our teachers, our schools, was happily buoyed by the whole shebang.
One big salute and thank you to the Madrigals and all the backstage individuals that made it happen.
Walter Weidenbacher
Haddonfield
