Madrigal Memories
of Eastern Europe
I produced, directed, wrote and edited this hour-long documentary.
On April 10, 2001, the Bowling Green High School Madrigal Singers,
their director Jim Brown, and several chaperones journey to the
former communist countries of Romania, Hungary, and the Czech
Republic. There they experience different cultures and meet many
types of amazing people while spreading good will through their
music.
In Romania, the Madrigals perform in the town of Recus. There they are greeted by the mayor, and participate in a parade held in their honor. Many of the singers are 'mobbed' for autographs and addresses by the local youth. In the city of Timisoara, the singers perform at the Performing Arts Center, and are then treated to the soulful basses of a Romanian men's chorus.
The group then travels to the vibrant country of Hungary. Highlights of this leg of the tour include a moving performance at a local orphanage and at a senior center. Impressive, Hungarian basilicas provide locations for impromptu exhibitions of spiritual music by the Madrigals.
The last part of the tour takes place in the Czech Republic. The youngsters tour the Prague State Opera House where Mozart first performed Don Giovanni. They also sing before a Czech choir at the Kolowart Music School. Later in the evening, both choirs dine aboard a river tour boat as it cruises by the magnificent castles and structures along the Moldau River. Under a blanket of darkness, everyone moves topside to sing popular, American songs as well as each other's national anthems. The tour ends the next day as the Madrigals render perhaps their best concert at the Church of St. John of Nepomucky in Kutna Hora.
Won an Aurora Gold Award for 2002, a Friends of the University Libraries Award for 2002, and a Crystal Award of Merit from the Toledo Chapter of Women in Communication in 2002.