Madrigal Sales Begin Monday, 9/24

Tickets for the 43rd Annual Madrigal Feaste go on sale to the public on Monday, Sept. 24, at 12 p.m. Patrons are reminded that this is a very popular event and the box office will be incredibly busy.

For immediate service, the box office recommends that patrons order online at www.ashland.edu/tickets (additional fees apply for online orders). Patrons can also come to the box office window located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street or call the box office at 419.289.5125. Discounted tickets for children 12 and under can only be purchased directly through the box office and not online.

Ashland University Department of Music produces the annual Madrigal Feaste which is slated for Wednesday through Sunday, Nov. 28 – Dec. 2, 2018. All performances begin at 6:30 p.m. in Redwood Hall.

Directed by Dr. Rowland Blackley, director of choral activities, the Madrigal Feaste is a dinner theater based in 16th-century England with constant entertainment provided throughout the evening. The Ashland University Chamber Singers perform ceremonial music, Christmas carols and madrigals while the Madrigal Players present a new comedic play along with improvisational theatrics. Fanfare trumpeters, the Court Jester, Butler and Wenches round out the cast. Performer costumes are designed as authentic reproductions of period apparel; and the four-course meal culminates in flaming bread pudding.

The 2018 Madrigal Feaste Chamber Singers feature Drew Berlin and Rachel Kelly as the King and Queen, along with the members of their royal court including J. Ethan Bedocs, Michael Cowan, Sami Eron, Gracie Fumic, Kendra Garver, Marty Gorsuch, Samantha Gross, Alli Lange, Jed McFadden, Matthew Plumb, Nathan Roblin, Ethan Tingler and Rebecca Young. Nik Demers will serve as the Jester leading his cast of Players including Ivey Buffenmyer, Tristan Peterman, Maya Rickard, Emily Schordock, Alyssa Srail and Will Taylor.

Tickets for the event are $28 for adults; $25 for groups of 10 or more; and $18 for children under 12. A special $13 ticket is available to Ashland University students for the Wednesday performance only. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available upon request at the time of ticket purchase. Due to preparation of meals, tickets are not available at the door.

AU Marching Eagles Lead Annual Parade of Bands

This Sunday, Sept. 16 is the opening of the 2018 Ashland County Fair which will kickoff with the Annual Parade of Bands at 2 p.m. Held at the Fairgrounds Grandstand, the Parade of Bands will lead off with the Ashland University Marching Eagles and several of the local high school bands playing a combined and moving rendition of the National Anthem. Each band will then perform their own show of 3-4 tunes including their school's fight song. Enjoy this video of last year's performance.

Community Band Rehearsals Begin Sep. 11

The Ashland Area Community Concert Band (AACCB) begins its twenty-sixth season with its weekly rehearsals on Tuesday, Sep. 11 from 7:30-9 p.m. in the Center for the Arts' Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall. Under the direction of Ashland University Professor Emeritus Leonard Salvo, AACCB is for those that loved playing in band in high school or college and want the opportunity to play again. Performances for the ensemble this fall include a performance at the University with the Ashland University Symphonic Band on Saturday, December 8 at 7:30 p.m..

Open to all adults and high school students with the permission of the ensemble's director, requirements for AACCB membership are: 

• the ability to play a wind or percussion instrument (no need to be a virtuoso); 
• an interest in playing for enjoyment; 
• desire to play a wide variety of music for the public; 
• an interest in meeting new people who share a common interest and 
• availability for rehearsals on Tuesday evenings. 

A nominal membership fee of $25 for adults and $15 for high school students is requested and payable by the fourth week of rehearsals to continue participation for the semester. The membership fee is payable at the Ashland University Box Office via phone at 419.289.5125 or online at www.ashland.edu/tickets by clicking on the "Buy Single Tickets" icon.

For further information, contact the Community Band director Leonard Salvo at lsalvo@ashland.edu.