WHEN DECEMBER ROLLS around, there's one thing local music lovers can be sure of: The Uni High Madrigals will be out and about bringing song and good cheer to Champaign-Urbana.

The 16-member singing group, under the direction of fine arts executive teacher Rick Murphy, had another busy holiday season, highlighted by Saturday night's "Baroque Christmas" program at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champaign.

Sponsored by the Baroque Artists of Champaign-Urbana (BACH), the concert featured an opening performance by the Madrigals, followed by pieces by the BACH orchestra and chorus.

The Madrigals' selections included "The Holly and the Ivy," "Wassail," "Go Lovely Rose," "The Carol of the Angels," "Lullay My Liking," "Lo, How a Rose," "Caroling, Caroling, All on a Christmas Morning," "Come, Dear Children," "Charm Me Asleep," and "Lute-Book Lullaby," the latter written by 2006 Uni graduate Stephen Buzard.

Sophomores Charles Newman-Johnson and Stefanie Senior perform at Holy Cross Catholic Church. Photo by Nancy Makri (click to enlarge)

After intermission, the Madrigals joined with BACH to perform what the organizers titled "A Festival of Baroque Christmas Music."

This year's Madrigals consist of:

• Soprano — junior Katie Buzard, junior Anna Gooler, senior Deborah Ladd, junior Elizabeth Russell
• Alto — senior Sheri Grill, senior Sarah Lake-Rayburn, junior Brittany Scheid, sophomore Stefanie Senior
• Tenor — junior Jared Doyle, junior Zack Goldberg, sophomore Alex Gruebele
• Bass — senior Daniel Borup, sophomore Charles Newman-Johnson, sophomore Buck Walsh, junior Daniel Wilson, senior Miguel Zamora-Mills.

Goldberg is out of town during winter break, so 2008 Uni graduate and former Madrigal Ethan Berl substituted for the tenor at Holy Cross. Berl also filled in the next day when the Madrigals performed at the Urbana Free Library.

The Madrigals are now in their 61st year at Uni. The original 10-member group was formed in 1947 by music teacher Colleen Kirk (1918-2004). Over that time, the Madrigals have distinguished themselves through their vocal artistry, their elaborate 17th-century-style costumes, and the rigorous selection process through which members are chosen.

Each year the group performs throughout the C-U community, primarily during the winter holiday season.

One of the highlights for Uni students usually comes on the last day before winter break, when the Madrigals lead a procession out of the main school building and into Uni Gym for the annual holiday "surprise" party.

Due to weather-caused delays to the start of school on Friday, the party was canceled this year. But with any luck, a make-up version of the event might be held later this winter, in which case students would again have a chance to see and hear the Madrigals.

In the meantime, enjoy this selection of photos taken as the group performed at Holy Cross and at the Urbana Free Library. The photos are courtesy of Uni parents Nancy Makri (Alex Gruebele, '11) and Beth Scheid (Brittany Scheid, '10). The audio clip on this page was recorded by the Online Gargoyle at Saturday's Holy Cross concert.

More Photos: Uni High Madrigals 2008-09

From left: Senior Daniel Borup, junior Katherine Buzard, senior Miguel Zamora-Mills, senior Sarah Lake-Rayburn, and Charles Newman-Johnson sing at the "Baroque Christmas" concert. Photo by Nancy Makri (click to enlarge)

From left: Stefanie Senior, junior Daniel Wilson, junior Jared Doyle, and junior Elizabeth Russell at Holy Cross. (Senior Deborah Ladd is obscured behind Doyle.) Photo by Nancy Makri (click to enlarge)

From left: Walsh (bass), Scheid (alto), Gruebele (tenor), Gooler (soprano), Berl (tenor), senior Sheri Grill (alto), Borup (bass), and Buzard (soprano). Photo by Nancy Makri (click to enlarge)

Performing at the Urbana Free Library, from left: Walsh, Buzard, Borup, Lake-Rayburn (alto), Newman-Johnson (bass), Ladd (soprano), Doyle (tenor), Grill, Zamora-Mills (bass), Russell (soprano), and Berl. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge)

From left: Doyle, Grill, Zamora-Mills, Russell, and Berl. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge)

From left: Senior (alto), Walsh, Buzard, Borup, Lake-Rayburn, and Newman-Johnson. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge)

From left: Ladd, Doyle, Grill, Zamora-Mills, and Russell. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge)

From left: Wilson (bass), Senior, Scheid, Gruebele (partially obscured), Walsh, fine arts executive teacher and Madrigals director Rick Murphy on piano, Buzard, Borup, Lake-Rayburn, Grill, and Ladd. Photo by Beth Scheid (click to enlarge)