MCS has a rich history of choral performance and community service dating back to the beginning of the 20th century. In 1900 Charles Morse founded the all male Orpheus Club that performed two classical music concerts each year. In 1914 Mr. Morse founded the Madrigal Club of Detroit, the 16 women counterpart to the Orpheus Club. Madrigal Club of Detroit performed for 64 continuous seasons, offering to its audiences the finest in women's classical choral music.
In 1980 a new choir was formed from the members of the Orpheus Club and the Madrigal Club. This new mixed voice ensemble took on the name Madrigal Chorale of Southfield. The chorale maintained the classical tradition of its predecessors, yet broadened its repertoire to include more 20th century music -- popular, jazz, spiritual and ethnic. In 1981 MCS performed under the direction of Artistic Director, Carolyn Eynon. In 1992 Robert A. Martin was named the second Artistic Director of MCS and remains in that position today. Under the leadership of Mr. Martin, MCS’s artistic horizon continues to expand.
In addition to a full local concert season, the accomplishments of this collegial group include performances under the baton of world renowned conductors Leonard Bernstein, Neeme Järvi, Rachel Worby, Yan Pascal Tortelier and Erich Kunzel; appearances in venues across North America including the White House and Carnegie Hall; concert tours of England, Wales, Italy and Austria; regular performances with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra; and local radio and TV broadcasts. MCS was featured at the 1995 Midwest Music Conference in Ann Arbor during the prestigious invitational Choral Hour sponsored by the American Choral Directors Association. In 2001 MCS performed in the Strickler Concert Series at Albion College and in 2003 at Interlochen. In recent years MCS has produced two highly successful CD recordings.
Robert is a native Michiganian who has been making his mark on vocal music since he was a student at the prestigious Cass Technical High School in Detroit. He holds degrees from the University of Michigan and Wayne State University. He is currently enrolled in the Educational Leadership doctoral program, with a Music cognate, at Oakland University.
He is the former Vocal Music Director, Arts and Communications Academy Coordinator, and Assistant Principal at Southfield-Lathrup High School and Principal at Thompson Middle School. He is currently a Leadership Consultant at Oakland Schools in the School Quality department. Robert has been the Artistic Director of Madrigal Chorale of Southfield since 1992 and a member since 1984. He is the former Director of the Metropolitan Detroit Youth Chorus and the Lighthouse Singers.
Robert’s choral ensembles consistently received the highest critical acclaim at state and national festivals and competitions, and in national and international touring including London, England and Vienna, Austria. In 1991 and 1999, Robert’s peers elected him to conduct a State Honors Choir and in 1999 they voted him Michigan School Vocal Music Association’s Teacher of the Year. Robert is married to Kim Price and they are the proud parents of Timothy and Christopher.
Betsy Marsh is Director of Choirs at Van Hoosen Middle School in Rochester Hills, MI. Her top-rated choirs have performed with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, at the Michigan Music Conference and for the MSVMA Summer Choral Directors Workshop. She has a BA degree in Voice Performance from Albion College and a MA in Choral Conducting from Oakland University. Mrs. Marsh also directs the Epworth Choir at St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Rochester.
Betsy was selected for the second time by her peers to direct the 2007 SATB Junior High State Honors Choir. She was named Rochester Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 1996 and 2003 and is currently on the ballot for Michigan School Vocal Music Association Teacher of the Year. Active as an adjudicator and clinician, she has also served as the Junior High Repertoire and Standards Chair for the Central Division of the American Choral Directors Association.
She is indebted to the Madrigal Chorale not only for the experience of creating beautiful music, but also for introducing her to her husband, tenor Peter Marsh. They share their love of music with daughter, Darcy.
Inger Oswald first sang with Madrigal Chorale in 1993 and is in her second season serving as accompanist. Inger currently serves as Director of Music Ministry at Calvary Lutheran Church in Clarkston. She holds a degree in Vocal Music Education from Western Michigan University and has taught vocal and general music for several years for grades K-12. She has played piano, sung and acted in various shows on the Star Clipper Dinner Train and has enjoyed accompanying several musicals at Clarkston High School. Inger and her husband Jon celebrate their 5th wedding anniversary this year and enjoy living in Pontiac.