3 Venues

Senior Assisted Living Venue

This venue was a little smaller group of singers, but everyone was looked dressed up and ready to sing. The singers last year were really dragging (I remember because I chaperoned last year); this year it was the opposite. They got through their repertoire of carols in 20 minutes! So they repeated a few songs, singing them slower so the group of residents could join them. The nursing home venues are good opportunities to interact with the audience, and asking the residents to sing some of the carols with the teens is a great way to do that.

The kids introduced themselves and visited with the residents afterwards. Many of the people who came to listen remembered some from our group from last year. This surprised some of the singers, but also pleased them. Our singers love to see that Dickens Carolers is posted on the calendar for the location. It reminds them that people are expecting them, looking forward to their singing.

At this point in the caroling season, some of our singers are getting tired of venues. Knowing that their caroling is a highlight to someone's evening makes the time and commitment to a venue seem well worth it.


Business Venue

I asked one of the singers to comment on the venue. She said it was fun. She actually learned from experience singing at this venue because she was the only soprano for a while.

She had to overcome nerves and uncertainty and gain confidence in her ability to blend her voice with the others. This venue did not have many singers; that is really hard on the singers, because they want to sound good all the time, and it adds pressure individually to each of them to perform.

They always learn something and feel a sense of accomplishment after singing in a small group.

The marketing director of this CFA is very supportive and appreciative of our efforts. The singers definitely get lots of exposure; this is a busy business so many people hear them.

I'm glad that we can still sing distinctly Christian Christmas carols in a place of business without censure.

Hospital Venue


We had an issue that affected the whole group, was noticed by our hospital contact, and distorted our witness to this venue.

I know that everyone involved has learned from this experience; the situation was handled discreetly and as far as I know, has not become a source of gossip or ill-will.

Each interaction that hasn't gone as expected between two parties during this Dickens season has taught me something about what to do differently in the future. We are all sinners in need of God's grace, and need to know how to be gracious to others who may not be as gracious, kind-hearted, or loving at a particular moment when we interact with them.

Love covers a multitude of sins; they'll know we are Christians by our love.