AMHERST, Mass. -- On Thursday, Oct.4, at 8 p.m., the Mead Art Museum will welcome the Amherst College Madrigal Singers for the first in its series of Evenings at the Mead, lighthearted combinations of art and music hosted by student docents with the lively participation of Amherst College's student musicians. Refreshments will be served afterward in the Mead's lobby café. These events are free and open to the public.

The Madrigal Singers-a student-run choral group that sings a wide repertoire ranging from Medieval church music to Rachmaninoff-will treat visitors to four songs, each thematically linked to an artwork on view, which Mead docents will interpret in five-minute gallery talks.  

"Evenings at the Mead present beautiful songs alongside bite-sized introductions to artworks by student docents. Each Evening delivers the perfect blend of aural and visual aesthetics," says Julian Wang, who is student docent himself. "Of course, the doughnuts and cider help, too!"  

Successive Evenings at the Mead will take place on Thursdays at 8 p.m. Mark your calendars now for Nov. 8 and Dec. 6.  

The series is made possible with the support of the Friends of the Mead and Amherst College's student government, the Association of Amherst Students.

Image details: The Mead's 2011-2012 student docents (above) and the Amherst College Madrigal Singers (below)