The BHS Madrigals are thrilled to announce the upcoming release of their highly anticipated online Christmas album, “Sounds of the Season.” After months of careful preparation and dedication, the group has poured their hearts into recording a collection of beloved holiday classics and seasonal favorites. This project has been a labor of love, with the singers working tirelessly to perfect each piece while collaborating with talented accompanists to bring the music to life. The album reflects their passion for the season and commitment to creating a beautiful and festive experience for all who listen. Whether you’re celebrating with family or seeking a moment of holiday cheer, this album promises to add a special soundtrack to your season.
The idea for creating a Christmas album came about because, in the past, the Madrigals used to release albums after their performances, a tradition that continued until before the pandemic. However, even before COVID-19, the practice had been discontinued. When the past band director, Mr. Trumpy, retired, it was never revived. With the upcoming Madrigals trip to New Orleans presenting a significant financial challenge, Mr. Lapine, the current Madrigals director, decided to bring the tradition of creating albums back. “This year, with our New Orleans trip on the horizon, we wanted to raise funds to make the trip more affordable for everyone,” he explained. “This album is a way to help offset some of the costs and make it possible for all our students to participate.”
Making this album took a lot of work, including organizing and setting up recording sessions, recording the music, editing and mixing the tracks, making changes where needed, and ensuring everything was ready for release.
Abby Wolkow, a sophomore in Madrigals, has been explicitly stirred up in this process. “It’s mostly student-run. So we have producers and recorders and I was one of the recorders. We scheduled time for solos to come in and record their songs and we would set it up, and it was all done last Saturday, December 7th in the chorus room.”
There was also a lot of frustration between the recording and editing process. Especially towards Mr. Lapine who has put so much effort and agony into this album to make sure everyone could take a listen to their hard work. He says, “Madrigals did two recording sessions, so six hours of recording back in November, and then I have to edit all of that stuff. Then some kids are doing solos. We did a long day of recording on Saturday.”
The release of “Sounds of the Season” is more than just an album, it is a testament to the dedication, collaboration, and passion of the BHS Madrigals. Reviving a cherished tradition while supporting the New Orleans trip, this project showcases the power of music to bring people together to something truly special. This album will spread joy and warmth to all who listen, so buy an album for the essence of the holiday season.
