Hear the Wisconsin Dickens Carolers sing their favorite Christmas songs

Across the state, a group of classically trained musicians dressed in Victorian-era costumes are spreading holiday cheer. 

The Wisconsin Dickens Carolers is a rotating four-member ensemble that can be found caroling at parades and tree lighting ceremonies. They have also made visits to nursing homes, bringing the season of good cheer to residents. Their outfits are inspired by the Dickensian-style clothing, meaning members wear hoop skirts, top hats, vests and bonnets. 

Kirstin Roble is a member and artistic coordinator of the Wisconsin Dickens Carolers. As a professional musician herself, she performs in other settings beyond caroling. But she said she particularly appreciates that style of performance. 

“There are certain sounds or certain pieces or certain songs that transport us back to another time. And I like to think that maybe those carols bring up fond memories,” she said on WPR’s “Wisconsin Today.” “Even if they’re not feeling the best in their current situation, that carol can bring some joy and some respite, and that’s what we always strive for in our caroling events.” 

Listen to the Wisconsin Dickens Carolers perform “Jingle Bells.” 

Roble also explained the history of caroling, how their style elevates performances and why they especially love to play “White Christmas.” 

The following has been edited for clarity of brevity.

Kate Archer Kent: Can you step back and give us a bit of a history lesson about caroling?

Kirstin Roble: Caroling dates back to medieval times when people would go to houses asking for food and drink. They would be beggars, so people who usually are in need of food and drink.

They’d also ask for wassail, which is sort of a spiced eggnog. That’s what my research tells me. From there, the tradition of caroling grew. 

We know that Oliver Cromwell, when he was in charge in England, banned caroling. 

But caroling has evolved over the years and gone from being something that peasants did to gain means of comfort, to a way for people to gather, to large performance events.

KAK: You perform at holiday events. You perform in front of a range of different audiences. What is your favorite song to perform as the Wisconsin Dickens Carolers?

KR: That’s always a hard question to ask. We get asked that a lot, and I think it really depends on the group. I could say today, I’m really loving “White Christmas.” I think that’s a beautiful piece, and hopefully we’ll get to do a little bit of that for you today.

Listen to the Wisconsin Dickens Carolers perform “White Christmas” 

KAK: What is it about “White Christmas” that’s special to you? 

KR: “White Christmas” came out of a time when the United States was coming off a great war, and we were coming into this new era. Every time you hear that opening of the song in the movie, it just gives you the chills. 

I’ve heard it done so many times by so many different artists and groups and it always just has that feeling of both nostalgia and hope. There’s that line that reads, “May your days be merry and bright and may all your Christmases be white.” 

There’s something really beautiful about those lines especially at the end of the carol where people are hopeful, “May your days be very bright.” 

So even if things aren’t great for you right now, there’s hope that the future is going to be brighter. 

KAK: The carolers wear Dickensian-style costumes. What do those costumes look like?

KR: The very simple way of describing it is: We look like we stepped out of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.” 

The women traditionally wear capes or dresses with skirts. Sometimes some of them have hoop skirts. Our male carolers generally wear jackets and sweaters or vests and ties. Some wear peacoats. 

The men generally wear top hats and the women generally wear bonnets. 

We accessorize with scarves, and we look something like Dickensian England by the time we get out to our performances.

KAK: What does it feel like to wear these costumes? Does it transport you to a bygone era? 

KR: There are moments when it does. It also depends on the event, but it definitely has that feel like you’re outside of time. When I was in my costume this morning, I definitely don’t feel like Kirsten of the current year.

There is a nostalgia, and I think that’s part of the fun and the appeal of that Dickensian caroling — that it takes you out of the current time. And our audience sees that, as well.

KAK: You and your fellow carolers have classical music backgrounds. How does that training inform your performances and what you do around the state? 

KR: All of our carolers come in with basic music training, and many of them have degrees in voice or advanced degrees. It really helps. 

These events are long, often one to two hours. We are singing a large portion of them. So, a lot of our singers have really strong core technique. That’s really important in any event, but especially in caroling season when you might be singing carols that are in different elements. You might be indoors. You might be outdoors.