Harmony and tradition

SUN CITY – Would you like some help getting into the spirit of the season?

The Dickens Carolers will perform in Drendel Ballroom on Monday, December 20, at 7 p.m.

“Have Music, Will Carol” is their by-word as this colorful group ranging from four singers to a dozen and dressed in Victorian costumes are guaranteed to lift your hearts and even invite you to sing along with them.

The Dickens Carolers began in 1982 as a spin-off from the community theatre production of “My Fair Lady” at the Woodstock Opera House. Their songbook started out as a single page, lyrics only, with the top-ten traditional carols. Someone added harmony, and The Carolers were born.

What started out as a December weekend promotion for the merchants on the Square soon became a perennial event with tourists and locals looking to celebrate the holidays with carriage rides, carols, and good cheer.

Christopher Connell, one of the carolers, noted that their popularity began with “word of mouth,” and within a short time, their singing and performing schedules became rather full. Offers followed to perform at parties and banquets, motivating this motley band to enhance their repertoire as well as their Victorian costumes.

Connell added, “We have performed all over the Chicago area as far as Freeport.”

The members are made up of several teachers, a lawyer, engineer, and Christopher, himself, is in marketing.

The group will sometimes perform in quartets or double quartets with a total number of about a dozen members. The members make their own props with the ladies making the costumes that, through the years, have changed in color and style.

The Dickens Carolers begin their performances in mid-November and continue through Christmas Eve.

Christopher offered, “We will also do parties, perform in malls and senior centers, as well as hospitals and extended care facilities in the city.”

In the late 80s, they were invited to perform during a British-themed Christmas promotion at Marshall Field’s at the Woodfield Mall and for 15 years performed exclusively at Field’s in the State Street and Water Tower Place stores. Other locations included the Season’s in Long Grove.

However, Christopher said, “The highlight is the full show at Sun City with readings, carols, and readings of Christmas carols. We’re professionals! We’re not cub scouts.”

Their full two-hour concert is described as a “treasury of carols, quotations, and poetry for the yuletide season,” with a special guest visit by that most famous curmudgeon himself, Ebenezer Scrooge.

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