# Madrigal Singers > university choral group **Wikidata**: [Q98785825](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q98785825) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/madrigal-singers ## Summary The Madrigal Singers is a university choral group, specifically the University of Maryland Madrigal Singers, that specializes in choral music and madrigals, founded in 1959 by Rose Marie Grentzer and dissolved in 1974. ## Key Facts - The Madrigal Singers is classified as a choir and specializes in choral music and madrigals - It was founded in 1959 and dissolved in 1974 - The group was founded by Rose Marie Grentzer - It is part of and located at the University of Maryland in the United States - The archives of the Madrigal Singers are maintained by the University of Maryland Libraries - The organization has the SNAC ARK ID w6vq9jpt and the J9U ID 987010206249205171 ## FAQs - What is the Madrigal Singers affiliated with? The Madrigal Singers was part of and located at the University of Maryland in the United States. - When was the Madrigal Singers founded? The Madrigal Singers was founded in 1959. - Who founded the Madrigal Singers? The Madrigal Singers was founded by Rose Marie Grentzer. - Where are the archives of the Madrigal Singers? The archives are maintained by the University of Maryland Libraries. - When was the Madrigal Singers dissolved? The Madrigal Singers was dissolved in 1974. ## Why It Matters The Madrigal Singers represents an important institution in university choral music, specifically focusing on madrigal performances. As a university-based ensemble, it contributed to the academic and cultural life of the University of Maryland by providing choral performances and preserving the tradition of madrigal music. The group's existence demonstrates the university's commitment to musical arts and its role in training and showcasing choral performers. The organization's historical documentation in the University of Maryland Libraries indicates its significance as a cultural artifact from the university's history. ## Notable For - The Madrigal Singers was specifically dedicated to performing madrigal music, a specialized form of choral composition - It was one of the few university choral groups focused on this particular musical genre - The ensemble was founded by Rose Marie Grentzer, who established the group's initial direction and programming - The group operated as part of the University of Maryland's academic and cultural community for approximately 15 years before being dissolved in 1974 - The Madrigal Singers maintained institutional records that are preserved in the university's libraries, indicating its formal status as an organized university ensemble ## Body ### History The Madrigal Singers was established in 1959 as a university choral group at the University of Maryland. Founded by Rose Marie Grentzer, the ensemble specialized in performing madrigal music, a form of Renaissance choral composition. The group operated as part of the university's academic and cultural programming for approximately 15 years, from its inception until its dissolution in 1974. The organization's historical records are preserved in the University of Maryland Libraries, indicating its formal institutional status. ### Institutional Affiliation The Madrigal Singers was part of the University of Maryland, with both its location and organizational affiliation tied to the university. The ensemble functioned as an official university ensemble, contributing to the university's cultural offerings and providing performance opportunities for students and faculty. The group's connection to the university is documented through references that link it to the institution's archival materials. ### Leadership and Founding The Madrigal Singers was founded by Rose Marie Grentzer, who served as the initial director or founder of the ensemble. Grentzer's role as founder is documented in the archival records, establishing her as the key figure in establishing the group's mission and programming. The founding date of 1959 marks the beginning of the ensemble's activities and its contribution to university choral music. ### Archival Preservation The Madrigal Singers maintained institutional records that are preserved by the University of Maryland Libraries. This archival preservation indicates the group's formal status as an organized university ensemble and its significance as part of the university's cultural heritage. The archives contain documentation of the ensemble's performances, programming, and organizational history, providing historical context for the group's activities. ### Musical Focus The Madrigal Singers specialized in performing madrigal music, a specific genre of choral composition. This focus distinguished the ensemble from more general university choirs and positioned it as a specialized group dedicated to Renaissance and early madrigal repertoire. The ensemble's programming likely included works from the Renaissance period, focusing on the vocal ensemble traditions of that era. ### Dissolution The Madrigal Singers was dissolved in 1974, marking the end of its activities at the University of Maryland. The dissolution date is documented in the archival records, indicating the group's termination as an active ensemble. The reasons for the dissolution are not specified in the provided sources, but the archival records document the group's existence and activities until this point. ### Classification and Identity The Madrigal Singers is classified as a choir and is described as a university choral group in its Wikidata entry. The ensemble operates within the broader category of choral music, specifically focusing on madrigal performances. Its identity as the University of Maryland Madrigal Singers is established through its affiliation with the university and its specialized programming. The organization's classification as a choir connects it to the broader ensemble of musical groups that perform choral works. ## References 1. [Source](http://hdl.handle.net/1903.1/1649)