By Susan Burton, UC Schools Communications Director
Paris, TN – An Evening with the Madrigals is scheduled for Friday, April 4th, at Krider Performing Arts Center. The show will begin at 6:00 PM; tickets are $10 and can be purchased from any Madrigal or at the door.
Madrigal Director Deanna Cook said, “You will hear solos, duets, group selections, and pieces we have performed at festivals. Enjoy a yummy dessert reception during intermission!”
According to Cook, the Madrigals will also compete at the WorldStrides Heritage Festival in Anaheim, California, on March 21 and will be singing three pieces: “Echo” by Rob Dietz, “The Sun Never Says” by Dan Forrest, accompanied by Gideon Shepherd on cello, and “I’m Gonna Sing ‘Til the Spirit Moves In My Heart” by Moses Hogan. The Awards Ceremony will take place at Disneyland on the following day. They will be rated against a national standard according to a 100-point scoring system. The Madrigals will also be ranked with other ensembles in their classification.
The Madrigals will also compete at WTVMEA’s Choral Performance Assessment in Germantown on Wednesday, April 2.
“Music has always been an important part of my life. I fell in love with it at an early age. Being a part of the Madrigals was one of the highlights of my high school experience, and I feel truly blessed and grateful to continue with this special group as director,” says Cook.
Along with being a Henry County High School graduate, Cook earned her bachelor’s degree in music education from Union University. She has been teaching music and chorus at HCHS since 2019. In addition to Madrigals, Cook also teaches Concert Singers, Bella Voce, Strings, and Piano at Henry County High School.
Photo: HCHS Madrigals with Director Deanna Cook and guest judge Jeremy O’Neal, who is volunteering to provide performance feedback to help the group prepare for competitions at upcoming festivals. O’Neal, currently the First Baptist Church minister of worship and music, was the Madrigals director from 2006-10 and was one of many music teachers who impacted Cook’s choice to pursue music as career. (Susan Burton photo).