Dozens of “carolers” participated Sunday in the first ever “Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long” Sunday afternoon at Barrington’s White House in the northwest suburb.
Former Barrington High School Choral Director Nancie Tobias brought together 25 of her former students as well as other area notable singers for a holiday concert where audience members sang along to classic Christmas tunes.
Rollin Potter, cultural director for Barrington’s White House and the village, said that nearly 150 people attended the event and seemed to enjoy singing with the performers instead of just watching.
“There’s a lot of talent in Barrington. There’s a lot of great voices here,” he said.
Tobison currently lives in Arizona but taught at the high school for 18 years. She said she has directed choral performances at the White House, Pentagon, Supreme Court, United Nations, Symphony Center in Chicago, Kennedy Center, Sydney Opera House and the Vatican.
“I’ve really been looking forward to this, because it’s coming home for me too,” Tobison said about the sing-along.
She said she enjoyed seeing many of her old students again – many of whom have found successful careers in singing, writing musis and directing.
“It’s a lot of great memories. I loved Barrington High School,” she said, “I had a lot of great choirs there.”
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One of Tobison’s former students who performed Sunday was 2010 BHS alum Katelyn Wilson. Wilson currently lives in San Francisco and is teaching music and signing at the Opera San Jose.
“I’m really happy that (Nancie) decided to get us together as always and see old friends that I haven’t seen since high school,” she said. “It’s nice to be back singing in my hometown where I started from.”
Wilson performed a French song for the event, because she wanted to do something a little different than traditional Christmas carols.
Another opera singer who performed at the sing-along was William Powers. He has lived in Barrington since 1980, but travels nationally and internationally for performances, he said. Powers explained that he has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York City as well as opera houses in San Francisco, Athens, Rome, London and Paris.
He sang “Sweet Little Jesus” and “Birthday of a King” at the White House event. Even though Powers and all the other performers only had one rehearsal prior to the show, he said he enjoyed signing at a local event for a change.
“It was wonderful,” said Powers. “I’ve tried to involve myself in community affairs, because it’s my town and I’ m very fortunate that they have allowed me to take part in many things.”
Kimberly Albrecht performed “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” with her husband, two daughters, son-in-law, son, and her son’s fiancé. Tobison taught all three of Albrecht’s children, and Albrecht, herself, has been singing since she was 2 years old, she said. She said she currently performs at nursing homes, nightclubs, and restaurants all over the Chicago area.
However, it was her first time performing with all her family members.
“It was thrilling,” said Albrecht, who is also a Pioneer Press freelance columnist.
She said she’s always encouraged her children to learn music.
“I’ve always told them they can sing all their lives,” Albrecht said. “”Music is essential to one’s well-being.”
Due to the success of this inaugural “Christmas Carol Sing-A-Long”, Potter said it’s very likely that the event may become “a Barrington tradition” and be held again in the future.
Kulsoom Khan is a freelancer.