Tradition of Christmas caroling alive and well in Western Pennsylvania communities

When Jena Arcuri, Michael Sawhook and Kris Choltco were brainstorming fun family ideas for the holidays in their New Kensington neighborhood last year, they realized some of the neighborhood children likely have never participated in one specific time-honored holiday tradition.

“We thought it would be cool to get them to Christmas carol,” Sawhook said.

Arcuri pitched the idea to a neighborhood Facebook group, and it took off from there. Following up on last year’s success, more than 50 carolers of all ages sang carols Dec. 3 as they strolled Marlboro and McLaughlin drives.

“In the wintertime, you’re cooped up in the house. Here, you get to get out and see your neighbors. It’s fun,” said Linda Arcuri, Jena’s mother.

Carolers were provided with the lyrics for the songs, which included “Deck the Halls,” “Here Comes Santa Claus,” “Joy to the World” and “Oh Come All Ye Faithful.”

Six-year-old Emma Moore said her favorite Christmas song is “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.”

Melody Harvey, also 6, said her favorite is “Jingle Bells.”

Both girls were excited for a visit from Santa Claus, who would be waiting for them at the end of their caroling.

Christmas lights, wreaths and inflatables decked most neighbors’ houses to greet the carolers, but none could hold a candle to Sawhook’s spectacular display at the end of Marlboro Drive.

Not much of his yard didn’t include an outdoor ornament or light display. The display has gotten bigger each year. Sawhook said he has added to the display each of the 25 years he has lived there.

Food and Santa Claus awaited carolers at Sawhook’s house after they finished their trek.

“My favorite part is seeing the smiles on the kids’ faces. It takes me back to my childhood,” Sawhook said.

The roots of caroling date back to the 13th century but the activity didn’t always involve Christmas … or even singing.

In its earliest days, “wassailing” involved people knocking on doors to offer well wishes to neighbors during winter months. Singing was not a part of Christmas until St. Francis of Assisi incorporated similar sayings and songs of well wishes in his Christmas services, according to yesterdaysamerica.com.

He encouraged church-goers to embrace music during the holidays, leading to more and more people singing the songs at home with their families. After hundreds of years, some songs were finally written down and published in 1582, according to yesterdaysamerica.com.

Soon, they migrated from the church and became a staple activity in holiday celebrations.

In Oakmont, the holiday season isn’t complete without the Christmas Carol Walk on the second Sunday in December.

It’s now in its 41st year.

Five local churches host the event: Oakmont Presbyterian, Oakmont United Methodist, St. Thomas Memorial Episcopal, St. Irenaeus Roman Catholic and St. Paul Baptist.

Historically, the walk averages about 300 to 400 people each year, said Robert Frank, director of the Carol Walk. A video-recorded version was held in 2020 because of the pandemic, and event directors canceled the 2021 event for the same reason. Last year, the event drew almost 300 people, he said.

“It draws a wide variety. People come from all over the area. It’s a great statement of faith,” Frank said.

The walk moves from church to church and progressively tells the Christmas story at each location. Carolers and congregants spend about 20 minutes at each church singing carols and reading lessons.

“We’ve got a lot of good feedback of having that whole story throughout the evening,” he said.

The Carol Walk was created by the late Marti DiGioia, who also directed the show for years.

People enjoy the experience of singing together, Frank said, and there aren’t many other places where people can get together and sing, other than church.

The energy from the event feeds off itself, he said.

“There’s a real sense of spirit and celebration. It’s a great way to share the real meaning of the season with people,” Frank said.

Carolers with the Westmoreland Performing Arts group book gigs all over Western Pennsylvania, in places such as shopping malls, nursing homes and at local events.

About 12 adults sing with the arts group, which usually sends three or four people to a gig. The organization also has a younger group, Vibrations, to sing carols.

“It’s pretty incredible. We could do a caroling gig every day if we wanted to,” said Tony Marino, who directs the Westmoreland Performing Arts group with his wife, Renata.

The group has about 38 gigs scheduled this winter, but that number could top 40 with more requests coming in, Tony Marino said.

He attributed the popularity of caroling to people being able to come out and do things after the pandemic. There’s an “overwhelming desire” for holiday stuff after recent winters with covid-related restrictions, he said.

“People are out doing holiday things, and they want entertainment,” Tony Marino said.

While caroling can be vocally tiresome, the experience and joy it brings to people makes the experience worthwhile, he said.

Ultimately, caroling is a great way to share a love of music, Renata Marino said.

“If I’m performing, I particularly love going to nursing homes. … I love going to nursing homes because that is a group of people who are so appreciative any time of the year, but especially during the holidays,” she said.