One of the university’s oldest holiday traditions kicks off this week. The 44th Annual Madrigal Feaste will be held at 7:30 p.m. from Dec. 5 to  Dec. 7 and at 1 p.m. on Dec. 8.

Guests will sit in Carter Hall, which will be transformed into a 15th century medieval dining hall to celebrate the oldest music tradition on campus.

Dan Craig, music professor and choir director, leads the event for his 24th year.

“We have the royal guests, the artisans guild and then all of the company from across the land, which would be the tri-state area,” Craig said.

The feaste stages an actual royal dinner featuring members of the royal party, jesters, choir members and other theatrics. The event lasts two hours and includes a five course meal, featuring popular royal dishes from medieval times.

“This is a progressive meal. Each item is processed in with song, dance and merriment,” Craig said. “Our jesters run about the room playing pranks [and] telling jokes while the choir sings inspirational and beautiful music set in this era and beyond.”

Each year, performing arts students audition for different parts in the madrigal feaste.

“A madrigal feaste is a madrigal feaste. It works like a ritual,” Craig said. “The music is different and there are those pieces you have to do at every feast, like ones used to introduce each item.”

This year the choir, composed of members of the women’s choir and the chamber choir, will stand in two separate groups, adding a different element of song to the mix, calling it double choir.

 “They sing the same piece of music but you echo back and forth between the two,” Craig said. “There will be times when we will take the entire group and spread (it) throughout the room so that the entire room will be filled with music around you.”

It’s similar to the renaissance version of Dolby Surround Sound, he said.

Music featured from choirs in this event will also be performed in Ireland when the choir travels there.

“To do cori spezzati music in the cathedrals in Ireland, it’s really special,” Craig said. “To have concert-goers experience that sound in a cathedral that rings for eight to 12 seconds is really special.”

Along with the theatrics of the feaste, the Society for Creative Anachronism will stage a sword fight to occur during all three nights of the feaste. A new group will also play traditional Irish music before the event begins.

“The feaste just stands as a community icon. To this day, I totally believe it is the best way for anyone to begin the holiday season,” Craig said. “All you have to do is show up. You create a sense of fellowship, you’re brought wonderful food and you’re treated like a member of a large family.”

It’s a great way to build community and a great way to end the year, he said.