The Dickensian Carolers preform period carols at the Market Place Mall in Urbana, Il.
Now that Christmas is right around the corner, even the Grinch himself can be spotted looking for the first snowfall. Bright, twinkling lights have been wrapped around poles and placed in windows, and Christmas trees are standing tall with colorful globes on each fern. Christmas is the time for giving, making it the time everyone is at their nicest. Minus the gifts, bright lights and trees, however, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without one thing: the music.
“Silent Night” and “Jingle Bells” make walking in 20-degree weather feel right somehow. Even the Justin Bieber Christmas album that is hidden under stacks of papers from all onlookers becomes a hidden obsession when this specific holiday rolls around. But this Christmas, it might be time for a change. Instead of having Michael Buble’s album blasting through stereo speakers that seriously need to be replaced, the time to be joyful just got even better, all thanks to the Dickensian Carolers, a group of carolers willing to bring the party to you.
Beginning in 1996, the Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company (CUTC) first began traveling and singing to guests in the “Singing Valentines” program. With a selection of songs, the perfect gift to a loved one could be delivered via vocal performance.
Ray Essick, the Dickensian Carols coordinator, had his start in the Singing Valentines group.
“I have been a member of CUTC since the spring of 2011,” Essick said. “I joined the Singing Valentines so I could get more practice singing and so I could meet new people within the company.”
After searching for a new program to help expand the CUTC, the program manager decided that singing Christmas carols in the middle of December was the way to go. This is the first year that the group is throwing Christmas songs into the mix, but it surely won’t be the last.
Calling themselves the Wandering Minstrels, the Dickensian Carolers all adorn themselves in the garb seen in the classic movie based upon Charles Dickens’s novella “A Christmas Carol” and sing the traditional songs that bring out a mug of eggnog or two. With songs like the “Boar’s Head Carol” and “Gloucestershire Wassail,” this group of carolers stay true to their 19th century English theme and keep it traditional. The reaction to the Wandering Minstrel’s presence is what makes the experience enjoyable.
“The reactions and responses we get to our singing are always fun, especially to Singing Valentines deliveries,” Essick said. “We’ve had recipients who laugh, cry and sing along with us. We’ve even delivered valentines as part of marriage proposals. All said ‘yes!’”
Traveling out into the community gives the Wandering Minstrels a chance to appease to all types of audiences and bring the entertainment to you.
“By going out into the community, we get a chance to perform for people who might not otherwise know about the company or come to see a CUTC show,” Essick said. “It’s also fun to see friends or family.”
With the Christmas holiday in full swing, be sure to check out the Dickensian Carolers and all the songs they have to offer.
“Hopefully our viewers will enjoy our performance,” Essick said. “We also hope to introduce CUTC to new people in the community, and maybe get them interested in seeing or auditioning for a CUTC show.”
Performances start at $50 for a 15-minute performance, or $80 for a 30-minute performance. For more information on how to bring carolers to your holiday party, the Dickensian Carolers can be contacted at carolers@cutc.org.