Our Story
Our Story
Embedded Files
Join Us for September Open Rehearsals
For more than a century, Madrigal Chorale (MC) has served the community and enriched the cultural climate of Southeast Michigan. MC, termed “one of metro Detroit’s artistic jewels,” is comprised of approximately 50 singers, all competitively auditioned, who share an unequaled commitment to excellence in vocal music performance. They continue to come from all walks of life—their common bond is love of music.
MC has a rich history of choral performance and community service dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. In September 1900, the Orpheus Club of Detroit was formed with 12 members. Samuel Richards Gaines was the first director and held rehearsals at his recording studio. The choirs first public performance was held on April 2, 1901, at the old Light Guard Armory, as a last-minute substitute for booked entertainment. Their first complete concert was held on May 28, 1901 at the Old Church of Our Father.
In October 1911, Dr. Frederick Morse became the director. It was decided that the Orpheus Club would give two concerts per year. He insisted upon the performance of only the best choral literature from simple folk songs to the great works of ancient and modern composers.
In 1914, Dr. Morse decided that there was a need for a female chorus in the Detroit area, so he formed the Madrigal Club of Detroit. It was comprised of 16 women who auditioned to join. They performed concerts on their own and also in conjunction with the Orpheus Club and The Detroit Symphony Orchestra Chorus. Many of the members were among the "who's who" of the musical world in Detroit, including Jeanne Ground, Mrs. John Coulter and Justine Noetzel.
An association with the DSO and its director, Ossip Gabrilowitsch, was begun in 1919. This culminated in performances with the DSO and DSO Chorale of the “Bach Passion According to St. Matthew” on Palm Sunday in 1926 and 1927.
After Dr. Morse's retirement in 1946, the Orpheus Club joined the Madrigal Club of Detroit and The Little Symphony (DSO had been disbanded due to loss of sponsorship and performance space) at the Masonic Temple to introduce Leonard Bernstein to Michigan audiences In 1950. Demand was so great that general admission tickets were sold for the dress rehearsal.
A series of directors including Dr. W. Lloyd Kemp, Hayden Morgan, Dr. Harry Langsford, William Koerper, and George F. Thomas followed.
In 1980, a new choir was formed from the members of the Orpheus Club and the Madrigal Club under the sponsorship of the Southfield Department of Parks and Recreation. This new mixed voice ensemble took on the name Madrigal Chorale of Southfield (MCS). The chorale maintained the classical tradition of its predecessors, yet broadened its repertoire to include more 20th century music—popular, jazz, spiritual, and ethnic. In 1981, MCS began performances under the direction of Artistic Director Carolyn Eynon. In 1989, Dr. Robert A. Martin was named the second artistic director of MCS. In 2012, Madrigal Chorale of Southfield shortened its name to Madrigal Chorale. In 2017, Dr. Martin announced his retirement, and Dr. Brandon Ulrich was named artistic director. In 2018, the MC board of directors named Dr. Martin their director emeritus.
In addition to a full local concert season, the accomplishments of this collegial group include performances under the baton of world renowned conductors Leonard Bernstein, Neeme Järvi, Rachel Worby, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Erich Kunzel; appearances in venues across North America including Washington D.C., Boston, and New York City; concert tours of England, Wales, Italy, Austria and France; regular performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; and local radio and TV broadcasts. MCS was featured at the 1995 Midwest Music Conference in Ann Arbor during the prestigious invitational Choral Hour sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association. In 2001, MCS performed in the Strickler Concert Series at Albion College and in 2003, at Interlochen. In 2009 and 2015, MC had the honor of performing in Bay View’s Concert Series, and in 2010, MC performed at the American Choral Directors Association at Central Michigan University. In remembrance of the Holocaust, MC was honored to be the lead choir in the 2013 premiere performance of “I Believe, A Shoah Requiem” by Hazzan Daniel Gross.
MC has represented Michigan and inspired audiences across the U.S. and abroad. In 2018, the ensemble toured in Montreal, Quebec City, and Ottawa, and performed in the Notre Dame Basilica and The Cathedral of the Holy Trinity. These famous venues add to the list of noteworthy venues where MC has performed, including the National Cathedral, Carnegie Hall, Interlochen, Harvard’s Holden Chapel, JFK Memorial Library, the White House, on board an AmaWaterways 7-day Seine River cruise in France, and the Duomo in Florence, Italy.
MC’s history includes collaborations with artists and organizations representing diverse artistic disciplines and experiences, including Motor City Brass Band, Hazzan David Propis, Oakland University Choirs and Symphony Orchestra, Spectrum Orchestra, Stoney Creek High School Choir, Rochester Community Chorus, soloists from Michigan Opera Theatre, Musical Gloria in Ontario, Livingston County Chorale, Cantata Academy, St. Paul’s United Methodist Church Choirs, Rochester College Choir, The Stacey V. Gibbs Chorale, St. John Fisher Church Choir, and Glen Oaks Men’s Glee Club. In April 2017, acclaimed composer, clinician, and arranger Stacey V. Gibbs handpicked MC as the Choir in Residence for the Stacey Gibbs Chorale, which performed under his direction at Carnegie Hall with other choirs from around the United States.
Throughout its history, MC has teamed up with nonprofit organizations to bring awareness to important causes. For many years, MC hosted benefit concerts to raise funds for local charities. The beneficiaries included Habitat for Humanity, The Haven, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Michigan, and Ryan Rocks!!! Outdoor Adventures, a metro Detroit-based organization that provides pediatric cancer patients with a fun and adventure. MC now channels its dedication to the community by performing for those who are unable to come to concerts by going to them. Over the years, the group has brought music to residents at Fox Run Senior Living in Novi, the retired sisters at Sisters of Mercy in Farmington Hills, and military veterans at the Dingell VA Medical Center in Detroit. In 2023, MC was delighted to support Have Faith Haiti Mission and Orphange founded by Mitch Albom by raising over $13,000 for their music room.
The High School Vocal Scholarship is another way MC gives back, in this case to the next generation of singers. Over 28 consecutive seasons, MC has given nearly $80,000 to high school individual vocalists through this initiative. In light of the decrease in arts funding to high schools, the format of the competition changed from 2017 to 2019. Instead of solo awards, Class B, C, and D high school choirs in Macomb, Oakland, and Wayne Counties competed for a $1,000 prize. In addition to performing, the students benefitted from a clinic with professional adjudicators and a shared concert with MC. In the years since, MC has been proud to award $5,000 to outstanding smaller arts programs that need extra support.
Page updated
Report abuse