The Madrigal Singers represent a long tradition of musical excellence at Greenwich Academy. The Upper School treble ensemble has received invitations to perform both regionally and internationally. In December 2004, they performed at a private reception hosted by First Lady Laura Bush at the White House. The Madrigals sang a private mass at St. Mark's Basilica in Venice, Italy as part of their 2004 tour of Italy and France. In 2002, they joined the Boys Choir of Harlem in a benefit concert at the Academy.
Beth Raaen, conductor of the Madrigal Singers, earned her bachelor of music degree in voice from Concordia College in Moorhead, Minnesota, and her master of music degree from Southern Methodist University. Her teaching experience includes work with lower, middle and upper school students in Minnesota, Texas and England (TASIS England - Thorpe, Surrey). Now serving as performing arts chair at Greenwich Academy, she also directs Freshman Chorus, Bel Canto, AP Music Theory and the private lesson program. Under her leadership, the Madrigals have produced six CD’s, and have expanded their repertoire extensively.
Dianne Kelley Ellis, accompanist, is the director of the Lower School music program at the Academy. She earned her bachelor of fine arts degree in piano performance at the State University of New York at Purchase. She has received Kodaly certification through Level III. Currently, she is completing a master of music degree at Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey. Mrs. Ellis served as interim director of the Madrigals during the spring of 1997.
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