San Marcos Madrigals Named Top Group at Los Angeles Festival of Gold

(pic courtesy of WorldStrides)

Source: San Marcos High School

The San Marcos High School Madrigal Singers were named the top scoring choir at the WorldStrides Los Angeles Festival of Gold held March 23rd – March 26th with an average score of 98.3%. The Festival of Gold is an elite invitation-only competition for musical ensembles from all over the country. Each group was evaluated on a series of criteria, including tone quality, rhythmic and pitch accuracy, and authentic interpretation of historic repertoire. The Madrigals performed O Magnum Mysterium by Tomás Luis de Victoria (1548-1611), Dieu! Qu’il la fait bon regarder! by Claude Debussy (1862-1918), and Twa Tanbou by Sydney Guillaume (b. 1982).

In addition to receiving the top average score, San Marcos received a perfect rating from Dr. Craig Jessop, the former conductor of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Madrigals were also one of only two choirs selected to perform in the culminating concert at the beautiful Segerstrom Center for the Arts Concert Hall in Costa Mesa. The Madrigals were not only the top scoring choir group, they were also the top scoring group including instrumental ensembles, and the only group to get ranked in the 95-100 range by al three judges.

Madrigal member and alto Taya Hill stated “It was a great experience and a joy to continue the rich tradition of vocal excellence that we have here at San Marcos High School. It was an honor to work with such prestigious choral directors during our clinics.” Madrigals president and 4-year member Alex Fell stated “Choir Festivals are always fantastic experiences but this year was especially important to me as a senior. I had an amazing time making music with the other students in Mads (we are all like family) and working with accomplished adjudicators from across the US.“

The Madrigals, along with other San Marcos Vocal Groups, will be performing their annual Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 21st at 7:00pm at San Roque Catholic Church. They will also be collaborating with the UCSB Chamber Singers at their spring concert on Friday, May 31st at 7:30 at Trinity Episcopal Church.