The OHS caroling season is in full swing and the Carolers have been going around town for the past two weeks singing their songs for the community.
The Carolers started their season on Oct. 9 with their first practice. They then practiced two to three times a week all the way up to Dec. 1 when they had their first performance at the Lighting of the Lights ceremony. This event was a parade organized to bring the community together for the holiday season. At the end of the parade, the Carolers performed at Central Park on the stage. Junior Thomas Oien said, “Lighting of the Lights was my favorite event to sing at so far this year. I feel like it ignites the Christmas spirit in our community.” Owatonna community members were eager to see the Carolers kick off their season. Oien said, ”It seemed people were ecstatic to come and support us and the other businesses in the parade.” The event as a whole was a great success.
The Carolers had their second big performance on Dec. 4 at the OHS winter concert. They performed along with the Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Choir for a sold out crowd. OHS choir director Ms. Paula Asmus said, “We were celebrating a lifetime love of music, so the audience was very excited to hear our music in a new space.”
The Carolers perform all the way through December until winter break. They will perform two- three times a week at different businesses around town including churches, banks, schools and nursing homes. Oien said, “I enjoy sharing music with the community, especially elderly folks that don’t get as much connection.”
To finish off their season, the Carolers travel to each elementary school and perform for the students there. Ms. Asmus said, “Going to these schools leaves a great impression on students, it’s showing that you can do Carolers along with your athletics in high school, and obviously the kids love the candy canes.” The Carolers’ final outing is on Dec. 22, in which they hope to send the younger students on holiday break with a feeling of Christmas spirit.
