The New Britain High School Madrigal Singers were formed in the mid-1970s by Mr. Norman Elia (NBHS c/o 1952), Choral Director of NBHS from 1962-1992. He wanted to do something new and create an opportunity for a small group of the select members of his choral program. Over the past forty years, the NBHS Madrigals have become one of the most renowned and recognized High School choral groups in central Connecticut.

The Madrigal Singers perform an annual Elizabethan Madrigal Feaste every December. We also perform for numerous groups and organizations across Connecticut during the Holiday season. In past years we have frequently performed for the New Britain Lions Club, the Rotary Club, Unico, The Jerome Home, The Jefferson House, Apple Rehab, Autumn Lake Healthcare and the Wadsworth Athenaeum’s Festival of Trees among many others.

In addition to our local performances, the group has also received recognition and awards from competitions and festivals in Myrtle Beach, Toronto, Philadelphia, Anaheim, CA and Virginia Beach. We have also participated in International Choral Festivals in England, Germany and Poland.

One additional point of interest is that every Director of the group since Mr. Elia’s retirement has been a former member of the NBHS Choral Department. Mr. Mark Neumann, who took over after Mr. Elia retired, was a former student of his although he graduated before the Madrigals itself was formed. The subsequent directors Mr. Kurt Swanson (c/o 1992, Director 2001-2006), Mr. Brian Germain (c/o 1993, Director 2006-2018) and Mr. Jason Ferrandino (c/o 1999, Assistant Director 2001-2018, Director 2018-present) were all former members and Student Leaders of the group.