December has a way of sweeping in with a sense of expectancy, like the moment before a curtain lifts or the half-second before the lights go down. And somewhere nestled inside that hour at Tenafly High School, you’ll hear the orchestra and the chorus waking up for the annual performance of Madrigals on December 13. The play this year, The Case of the Missing Crown, is the product of what Tenafly chorus and orchestra students started putting together from the beginning of November.
“While Madrigals is a tradition at THS that has taken place for over 45 years, the music and [Renaissance-themed] set has not changed,” William Farnham, the Orchestra and Choir teacher and the director of the overall performance, said. “I did Madrigals myself when I was a student over 10 years ago at THS. We even have some parents who did Madrigals even [further] back in the day! The only thing that does change each year is the short play we perform.”
Madrigals originated from the choirs but is now considered a club where not only choir students participate but anyone in the school can join. With around 50 students involved in the cast this year, participating students commented on the collaborative unity that the performance has brought upon them in time for the holiday season.
“In my opinion, the best part of Madrigals is how everyone becomes united while still genuinely having fun,” Natsuki Mori (’27) said. “There’s something really meaningful about working closely with others, learning how to listen to each other, and blending our voices until everything locks in. Watching the music slowly come together—piece by piece, rehearsal by rehearsal—feels both intentional and natural, almost like it grows with us.”
“The most challenging part is doing all the blocking and getting everything organized the first couple days of tech week and the most rewarding thing would be seeing the whole thing come together and getting to do it with the people I love,” Ruby Bayer (’28), one of the lead performers and the head of costumes, said.
“The best part of Madrigals is the fact that it is a lot of fun to sing holiday music and to act out a show that combines what we know as medieval England and modern-day aspects of their respective times,” Mia Rendell (’27) said. “It makes for a very fun and creative atmosphere that I look forward to entering after school!”
During the week before winter break, the Madrigals will take their traditional tour of the Tenafly district, beginning at the Board of Education and finishing at the High School.
“As a Maugham graduate, I vividly remember the Madrigals group coming to our school every year, watching each one of their faces, and letting the jingling bells put me into the holiday spirit,” Emma Chai (’28), a carol singer, said. “Seeing myself perform now and watching the audience reminds me how truly rewarding and special our performing arts program is.”
And when the lights finally rise on December 13, the world they’ve created will open itself for the audience.
“For this year’s script we wanted to put together something a bit more modern but still stay within the Renaissance setting,” Farnham said. “The Case of the Missing Crown in particular was inspired by Hamilton on Broadway since we actually use one of the instrumental beats (“Cabinet Battle #1”) in our show as a background for a rap battle or “joust battle” as I like to call it.”
Perhaps that is the allure of Madrigals—the way it refuses to stay still. It reaches backward and forward at the same time, stitching together centuries-old history with whatever rhythm happens to light up the room. It turns a school cafeteria into a banquet hall, transforms teenagers into nobles and jesters and everything in between, and reminds its audience that the magic of Madrigals isn’t the medieval setting, the mystery, or even the music. It’s the idea that in a season built on anticipation, there is room for wonder—and that sometimes, all it takes to find it is a few instruments, a few dozen voices, and the charming courage to create something beautiful together.
