Tickets are available from the Department of Music Office, Winthrop University, 803-323-2255.
All tickets must be purchased in advance as all seating is reserved.
Ticket sales end Monday, November 30 at 4 p.m. (subject to availability).
For a campus map and directions to Winthrop, please visit the Winthrop Visitors Center web page.

Seating Chart

The Feaste

Wassail Cuppe
Greene Sallade withe Pease
Ye Olde Engeland Rost Prime Rib of Beefe withe
Horsradis Sause and Yorkshire Poddying
Parsley Butred Potatoes
Broccolye withe Limon Sause
White Wheaten Brede
Swete Butyr
Flaming Plomme Poddying
Coffee, Tea
Fresh Fruits and Nuttes from Strange Landes
(A vegetarian option is available)

Transport Yourself Back to the 16th Century

At 7 p.m. the real magic begins after a brass fanfare when the Duke and Duchess of the Manor House and their guests enter the room singing.  This is followed by the ceremonial presentation of the Wassail and the Boar's Head, and the various courses of the meal.  The madrigal singers' beautiful harmonies fill the hall throughout the course of the ceremony and the feaste itself.  Entertainment is provided by the Early Music Consort, harpsichord, bagpiper, brass quintet and by the antics of the jesters, magicians, dancers and the sound of the minstrels moving through the hall.  It is an atmosphere of controlled pandemonium!  The feaste ends with a flourish with the flaming of the Plum Pudding at every table.

After the feaste is concluded a short concert is presented, featuring the madrigal singers and the early music consort and dancers  After the concert, all guests are invited to join in the singing of a few Christmas carols.  The evening concludes with the withdrawal of the Duke and Duchess and their guests for the night.  The closing ceremony is a truly moving experience.

The Madrigal Feaste is sponsored by the Delta Omicron and Phi Mu Alpha fraternities in conjunction with the Winthrop University Music Department and College of Visual and Performing Arts. The majority of proceeds go toward scholarships in music. There are many guests who have come every year for the twenty two years the Madrigal Feaste has been in existence.  People tell us that they can't start the holiday season without the Madrigal Feaste.  Come join us and make this your new tradition as well.

The Tradition

The Gamma Kappa chapter of Delta Omicron, Professional Music Fraternity and the Nu Kappa chapter of Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia, Music Fraternity were both chartered in 1985. 

These professional music fraternities promote music through performance, service, grants and scholarships, and provide fellowship among musicians The Madrigal Feaste was begun in 1986 at the suggestion of Dr. Bruce Thompson and Sharon Thompson, both of whom were, at that time, advisors to the fraternity and sorority, respectively.  Both of the Thompsons attended Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana where the Madrigal dinners have been going on since the 1950's.  When they first saw McBryde Hall, after their arrival in Rock Hill in 1980, they both agreed that the location was perfect for a Madrigal dinner.

Delta Omicron and Phi Mu Alpha both wished to offer music scholarships and were looking for fund raising ideas.  Thus, the Madrigal Feaste was begun with the purpose of using proceeds from the event to establish music scholarships at Winthrop University.  The majority of the performers are members of the two fraternal organizations.

2007 was the Thompsons’ final year as Directors of the Madrigal Feaste. They both retired from Winthrop the year before and were generous enough to direct the feaste one more time. Last year J.L. and Andy McDaniel-Milliken, who apprenticed with the Thompsons, have taken over the directorship of the Madrigal Feaste. J.L. is the Music Librarian at Winthrop and a Delta Omicron and Winthrop Alumni. Her husband, Andy, works for the Christian Research Institute in Charlotte, NC.

        Take the main entrance in to campus from Oakland Avenue and turn left onto Alumni drive.  This will take you to the back of campus. You will then pass Johnson Hall and turn right onto Heritage Drive beside the new West Center. McBryde Hall will be on your left, You fill find parking to your left in the back and sides of McBryde.

        Additional parking may be found in the Johnson Theatre lot (accessed from Alumni Drive).  From that lot you may walk from the back of Johnson Hall toward the West Center, through the parking lot behind McBryde.  Parking is also available on the front side of the campus (on Alumni Drive, in Front of Tillman Hall, Margaret Nance, and McLaurin). Enter through the breeze ways which connect those buildings  and enter McBryde either through the side door (which is handicapped accessible) or the back entrance.