Madrigals, a selective a capella group at Princeton Day School, is filled with much talent and many traditions. Open to students involved in choir, band, or orchestra, Madrigals brings together students with a passion for singing, offering a unique opportunity to work on challenging and diverse musical pieces.
Choir director and faculty leader of Madrigals Edgar Mariano described the group as “a mixed voice ensemble that primarily performs contemporary music and once in a while will also do traditional choral pieces.” With Mr. Mariano’s guidance, Madrigals has flourished, becoming a staple in PDS’s vibrant choral culture. “PDS has a really rich choral culture,” Mr. Mariano said, as he noted that the school’s reputation of strong choral programs began years ago under Lower School Choir director Jane Westrick. Mr. Mariano later took over the program in 2017, and since then, he has consistently pushed the group to explore a wide range of music.
This year, Madrigals has been working on more current pieces that still challenge the performers’ vocal capabilities. Their current song list includes “From The Start” by Laufey, “How Will I Know” by Whitney Houston, and “What Was I Made For” by Billie Eilish. The last piece is especially significant as it was arranged by Senior Casey Kuma, whose strong acapella experience led him to approach Mr. Mariano with the arrangement. “I really liked the arrangement, so I put it in the repertoire this year,” said Mr. Mariano. “I want to honor my students as best as I can.”
Madrigals is more than just a musical group—it’s a tight-knit community. Junior Kristine Wang, a member since her freshman year, shared what makes being a part of Madrigals so special. “I like the Madrigals because I get to talk and interact with others who are as interested in singing as I am, and it’s fun to all gather in one space and just work on songs together.” Beyond the music, Wang also noted some of the group’s traditions that bring them closer together, including “highs and lows.” Before rehearsal, members share the best and most challenging parts of their day, helping to strengthen the bonds between the group. “It’s great because we’re our own close knit community and we’re always there for each other.”
Madrigals continues to demonstrate the strong choral skills and the passion of its members.
