20 YEARS OF MADRIGIRLS
Madrigirls celebrates 20 years in 2020/21 - an anniversary we didn't even dream of reaching way back in October 2000!
Madrigirls was formed by co-directors Katy Lavinia Cooper and Catriona Downie. Then undergraduates at Glasgow University, Katy is now the university’s Director of Chapel Music and Catriona an arts marketing professional. Run voluntarily, Madrigirls consists of around 40 singers. It was initially a female group but has widened its membership to be a more inclusive upper voice choir, and over its 20 years has had over 250 members. The group has appeared on radio and TV and in 2019 recorded the soundtracks for Darren Hercher’s BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Dooman and for Our Ladies, Michael Caton-Jones’ big-screen adaption of The Sopranos by Alan Warner. The group has also recorded four CDs.
Madrigirls ran a successful Crowdfunder campaign in 2020 to raise funds to commission working artists and support them during the uncertain times of Covid-19. The money we secured has been used to commission two new pieces of music for our 20th Advent carol concert: a new setting of the medieval text There is no Rose by American composer Frank La Rocca, and a new wassail – The Wren King – from Glasgow-based composer Emily Dolittle. In October 2020, we also ran an open call out to writers to submit their work to be considered for the concert’s readings, with nine pieces chosen. The writers, who are all based in Scotland, received a performance fee as well as (hopefully!) a new platform for their work. The stream also features artwork by Lithuanian artist Odeta Brazeniene.
Find out more about our Advent concert here!
Madrigirls was formed by co-directors Katy Lavinia Cooper and Catriona Downie. Then undergraduates at Glasgow University, Katy is now the university’s Director of Chapel Music and Catriona an arts marketing professional. Run voluntarily, Madrigirls consists of around 40 singers. It was initially a female group but has widened its membership to be a more inclusive upper voice choir, and over its 20 years has had over 250 members. The group has appeared on radio and TV and in 2019 recorded the soundtracks for Darren Hercher’s BAFTA-nominated BBC documentary Dooman and for Our Ladies, Michael Caton-Jones’ big-screen adaption of The Sopranos by Alan Warner. The group has also recorded four CDs.
Madrigirls ran a successful Crowdfunder campaign in 2020 to raise funds to commission working artists and support them during the uncertain times of Covid-19. The money we secured has been used to commission two new pieces of music for our 20th Advent carol concert: a new setting of the medieval text There is no Rose by American composer Frank La Rocca, and a new wassail – The Wren King – from Glasgow-based composer Emily Dolittle. In October 2020, we also ran an open call out to writers to submit their work to be considered for the concert’s readings, with nine pieces chosen. The writers, who are all based in Scotland, received a performance fee as well as (hopefully!) a new platform for their work. The stream also features artwork by Lithuanian artist Odeta Brazeniene.
Find out more about our Advent concert here!