On a Saturday night in December, while eating at a favorite restaurant in Grosse Pointe, customers may be met with carolers singing around your table. Don’t be alarmed, for it is just the South Choir carrying on their tradition of “Caroling in the Community.”
In small groups, the South choir can be found at private parties, local restaurants and even nursing homes, spreading the Christmas cheer with their voices. The director of Grosse Pointe South’s choir program, Carolyn Gross, enjoys this annual tradition and can see how it unifies the singers at South.
“The caroling process brings the choir kids together. We actually have a caroling group competition before Thanksgiving and the winning group receives cash prizes (like a tip) and their photo up in the choir room for the year,” Gross said. “Some kids sign up for as many (opportunities to carol) as they can.”
Grosse Pointe during the holiday season can be one of the most festive places to be. From the Christmas tree in The Village, to the festive lights and decorations lining every street, the residents take the season to the next level. The perfect way to expand this is through music, and especially the music right in this community. Sage Suson ’26, a fourth year member of the Choir at South brings attention to how much of an impact the caroling has on the community each year.
“Showing Grosse Pointe our singing abilities while promoting a massive holiday is hugely beneficial to a Christmas environment and the promotion of the choir,” Suson said.
Along with the community having a gain from this, so do the local businesses and restaurants. The restaurants can book the choir to come and spread the Christmas joy in their restaurant ahead of time to surprise their guests that night. It truly shows how supportive the community is of the Choir here at South, and how dedicated they are to spread the Christmas spirit in the community. Elizabeth Willson ’28, a second year choir member at South, enjoys these nights and finds this fundraiser to be very effective.
“It is such a big fundraising opportunity for our program, and for the local businesses, to have an exciting night with carolers,” Willson said.
This tradition benefits the community in so many ways, and it truly makes it a very memorable night for the singers, and the spectators. Willson, even with only 2 years of caroling under her belt, can understand why the choir continues their fundraiser, “Caroling in the Community.”
“It is a good way to spread holiday cheer around the community in our own special way,” Willson said. “And it is really a great fundraiser to have been going for so long now.”