The Madrigal Singers are one of 12 performing ensembles sponsored by the Department of Music at University of Alberta. Founded in 1978 by Larry Cook, the Madrigal Singers have been under the direction of Leonard Ratzlaff since 1982. Singers are drawn from the Department as well as from across the U of A campus. Winners in competitions at both national (CBC) and international levels (Zwickau, Germany; Cork, Ireland), the Madrigal Singers carry out a very active performing schedule each year, with their own series of concerts and as frequent guests of the Edmonton Symphony and Alberta Baroque Ensembles.
Lux Luceat in Concert
University of Alberta Madrigal Singers
University of Manitoba Singers
University of Saskatchewan Greystone Singers
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Knox United Church
838 Spadina Crescent E, Saskatoon
4:30 pm (doors open at 4:00 pm)
Tickets - $10 Adult, $5 Student/Senior
Under 12 free when accompanied by an adult
The choir has produced five CD recordings, two of which (Balulalow and The Passing of the Year) have won ACCC National Choral Awards. The Madrigal Singers will participate in University Voices 2010 in Toronto (sponsored by Soundstreams Canada) next November, working with the Estonian conductor Tonu Kaljuste.
Leonard Ratzlaff, Conductor
Leonard Ratzlaff joined the Department of Music at University of Alberta in 1981, and has taught choral conducting and literature and conducted several choral ensembles, including the award-winning Madrigal Singers. He is co-supervisor with Prof. Debra Cairns of the Department’s graduate program in choral conducting. He also directs the Richard Eaton Singers, Edmonton’s symphonic chorus. A member of the Order of Canada and the Alberta Order of Excellence, Ratzlaff was recently inducted as a Fellow in the Royal Society of Canada, in recognition of his continuing contributions to choral music in Canada.
Maria Conkey, Assistant Conductor
Maria Conkey will graduate this year with her M Music degree in Choral Conducting. A native of St. John’s, NF, Ms. Conkey has long been associated with excellent choral ensembles in that province, and will be returning to St. John’s this spring to continue her professional career as a choral conductor.