The Eastern Shore Madrigals had their start in 1975 as a small group of 8 singers.  The current group consists of 20-25 singers and their repertoire no longer reflects the Madrigal part of their name.  Performing twice a year, the December concert is based on the Christmas holidays and the Spring concert's theme varies widely from year to year. The program covers shown on this site provide a good indication of the variety of music performed by this group.

Usually, the music for a particular show is based on a specific theme; however they have performed an actual Broadway style production a few times.  The most recent was December 1999 - Scrooge, the Stingiest Man in Town.  Click on this link to see pictures from this production.

Rehearsals and performances are at Nandua High School in Onley, Virginia just minutes from the historic waterfront community of Onancock, Virginia and approximately a one half drive south of Chincoteague, Virginia and forty-five minutes from Cape Charles, Virginia. The members come from as far away as Cape Charles, Virginia to the south and Pocomoke, Maryland in the north.  Seating at Nandua High School is 535, and many times the performances have been "sold out". Performances have been Friday and Saturday nights and Sunday afternoons.

Although the singing group generally consists of about 23 singers (plus director and two accompanists) when the call went out for assistance from non-members for dancers, stage crew, and child actors for Scrooge,  the community (2 counties - Accomack and Northampton) responded.  The program for Scrooge listed about 70 participants!  This is typical of the Eastern Shore of Virginia.

With these words, the Spring 2000 Madrigal's concert began.  Staged as a radio show in the 1940s, with a live audience, they presented the popular music of that era along with radio skits and commercials. The selections included such pieces as In the Mood, Stompin At the Savoy, That Old Black Magic, Dance with a Dolly, Harbor Lights, You Always Hurt the One You Love (oh yes, with the Spike Jones type sound affects), God Bless America, Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy. Don't Fence Me In,  Swinging on a Star and Rosie the Riveter.  The finale was the Salute to the Armed Forces utilizing high school students in borrowed authentic uniforms representing each of the armed services.  Return to Top

This program was presented on four consecutive days in April 2000 at the Nandua High School Auditorium.  Over 1,600 Eastern Shore residents attended — make plans now for the 2000 Christmas Show to be presented Friday December 1st andSunday 3rd.