NORWICH – Members of Norwich High School’s Madrigal Singers had the honor of participating in the Hartwick Choral Festival at Hartwick College in Oneonta this past weekend.

According to the group’s director, Norwich High School vocal music teacher Mary Mayo, Norwich was invited to perform at the weekend-long event by the festival’s director, Dr. Jirka Kratochvil.

“This was the first time that high school groups were featured on the program,” said Mayo. “Being asked to perform was very motivating for [the] students.”

According to Mayo, the students selected for the Madrigal Singers represent the strongest singers of the Mixed Choir’s 61 voices. The group consists of 24 singers and eight alternates selected by audition, she explained. Much of the music the group performs is done a cappella, meaning without accompaniment.

Seventeen members of the group attended the choral festival with Mayo, the focus of which was Gospel singing. They selected an African-American spiritual, “Goin’ up to Glory,” as their performance piece.

“They were well received by the audience and the festival director,” Mayo reported. “It was an honor for their excellence to be recognized.”