John Hersey High School’s 23-member Charles Dickens Carolers performed holiday music at The Moorings of Arlington Heights retirement community on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. The acapella group, dressed in faithful recreations of Dickens-era costumes, has performed early in the season at The Moorings for the last five years.
“The Hersey Charles Dickens Carolers always perform at the beginning of December, usually after our Christmas tree and outdoor lights are turned on,” said Mary Kay Bochenek, director of independent living at The Moorings of Arlington Heights. “They bring beautiful harmonies to the season that our residents really look forward to hearing. It’s become an annual tradition.”
According to Sara Michael, choral director at Hersey, students audition for the Charles Dickens Carolers in the spring and are then given 10 songs to learn over the summer. Rehearsals start in October on one night a week when more songs are added to create a repertoire of 24 songs. The group’s first performance is always the lighting of the Christmas tree in Arlington Heights. The choir’s performances conclude at the end of the holidays.
“This year’s choir is quite large and is made up of sophomores, juniors and seniors,” says Michaels, “most of who are also involved in other school choirs, drama and athletics. Each is in at least one AP class, so these kids really are the cream of the crop and very talented.” Members Of Charles Dickens Carolers are:
Madeleine Brown
Andrea Butler
Kristie Davidson
Caitlin Featherstone
Bethany Figiel
Amanda Grossmayer
Erin Horne
Kristin Kapinos
Daniel Kapinos
Joe Lasare
Matt Leff
Joe Lehnert
Chris Lio
Mike Perlongo
Kelsey Martin
Mary Martin
Skye Mooney
Samantha Presto
Anto Sagayaraj
Robert Somary
David Van Scoyoc
Jonas Wightman
Tyler Zanona
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About The Moorings of Arlington Heights
The Moorings of Arlington Heights, a member of Presbyterian Homes, is a continuing care retirement community located on Central Road just east of Arlington Heights Road. The Moorings provides independent living in apartments or villas, assisted living apartments, skilled nursing care, specialized Alzheimer’s care, and rehabilitation services.
About Presbyterian Homes
Founded in 1904, Presbyterian Homes is a not-for-profit, non-sectarian organization with a national reputation for creating extraordinary retirement communities. Presbyterian Homes serves older adults through its residential and healthcare programs on campuses in Evanston, Lake Forest, Arlington Heights and Chicago. The organization is accredited by the Continuing Care Accreditation Commission, the nation’s only accrediting body for retirement communities
