The Coventry Carolers
We are a group of singers who have come from towns and villages over the British Isles and all social classes who have joined together to celebrate the songs of the Christmas season on the streets and in the gathering places of London this Christmas Eve.
Under our Director “Dr Strong” we bring to you four-part harmony singing of songs some that may be familiar to you, going back many many years in these Isles and others that have come to our shores more recently from as far afield as Germany, Poland and the American Colonies.
Who we are and where you can hear us
When we are not transported into the late-19th century London of Charles Dickens, we are also a nonprofit Corporation registered with the California Secretary of State. As of October 2022 we are in the process of applying for and receiving full recognition as a 501c3 with the IRS. This corporation is a nonprofit public benefit corporation to advance the public education and appreciation of historical music.
We sing for the joy of singing together and the chance to fulfill our organization’s purpose. We sing "a cappella", without accompaniment. Overall we have a repertoire of about 90 carols and seasonal songs that were in circulation in the 19th century.
We perform in full Dickensian costume at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair as we have done for decades. Our Group typically performs four or five times during the course of the day at different venues around the Fair. Times are published in the daily program for Fair.
Here's our YouTube Channel of carols we recorded remotely through the pandemic - and a playlist on YouTube of our performances at prior Dickens Fairs.
How to join us
As a Volunteer for Coventry Carolers we ask that you attend our rehearsals so we can all practice singing together the particular arrangements our Director has assembled and created and we can make the most beautiful sound for our audiences. In 2022 the remaining rehearsals take place at the Cow Palace on Days 2 through 4 of Workshops (Nov 5, 6, 12) from 2:30pm to about 4pm.
Don’t worry if you don’t know any Christmas Carols or you don’t have lots of experience singing in choirs - our Director Bob is a brilliant teacher and you will be able to learn from the others around you too. We don’t have auditions! All are welcome to come and learn the music with us.
To perform at the Great Dickens Christmas Fair also requires that you meet the requirements to be a Participant, which includes taking Workshops and obtaining or making an approved costume.
Contact information
For more information please see https://www.facebook.com/DickensFairCoventryCarolers/ and reach out to our team at coventrycarolersofcalifornia@gmail.com