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The Caroling Connection Returns to Festival Lane and announces appearance on The BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival Broadcast

(ELGIN, IL; October 23 2017) The Caroling Connection, carolers who make holiday memories, is returning to Festival Lane for the 2017 BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Festivals of Lights, November 18th from 1 – 3 PM. New this year, they will also be featured on the Live Broadcast of the Festival of Lights on ABC 7 in Chicago and 108 markets around the United States and Canada.

The Caroling Connection on Festival Lane at the 25th BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights 2017 Photo Credit: <a href="https://chicago.thelocaltourist.com/events/holidays/christmas">Theresa Goodrich</A>
The Caroling Connection on Festival Lane at the 25th BMO Harris Magnificent Mile Festival of Lights 2017 Photo Credit: Theresa Goodrich

“We’re honored to participate in such a great tradition in Chicago, not only by performing in Festival Lane again, but also by appearing on the broadcast of Saturday’s events.” said Jim Goodrich, Founder and Head Voice at The Caroling Connection. “Working with everyone involved at The Magnificent Mile Association, Tamar Productions and ABC 7 in Chicago has been a wonderful experience and a great opportunity.”

This is the second appearance in Festival Lane by The Caroling Connection, which is celebrating its second year. What makes The Caroling Connection so special?

“It’s a combination of experience, professionalism, and vision,” said Goodrich, who’s been singing professionally for the past 30 years and caroling professionally for the past 24 years. “While the group may be new to the Chicago scene, I’ve been around awhile and have had the privilege to work with some amazing musicians. What truly makes The Caroling Connection special is combining the talent of experienced and highly trained singers with a vision of providing a memorable and magical experience. We help people feel that childlike wonder while they’re celebrating with family and friends. We want you to fall in love with the music all over again and feel the joy it brings. ”

The Caroling Connection will be strolling in Festival Lane on Saturday, November 18th from 1 – 3 PM, caroling to all the attendees of the Lights Festival. These four a cappella singers, festively dressed in 19th Century Dickensian costumes, will sing classic songs of the holidays, such as ‘Deck the Halls’, ‘Holly Jolly Christmas, ‘Silent Night’, ‘O Christmas Tree’ and more.

What: The Caroling Connection in Festival Lane and on ABC 7’s broadcast of The 26th BMO Harris Bank Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
Where: Pioneer Court 401 North Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60611
When: November 18 from 1-3 PM in Festival Lane: Live broadcast begins at 6:00 PM

About The Caroling Connection: https://TheCarolingConnection.com

The Caroling Connection books through With A Voice Like This. For additional information, call Jim Goodrich at 630.492.0487

 


Click or tap above to view video [runtime 00:02:40]

The Caroling Connection in the Chicago Tribune online

From the Chicago Tribune:

“Jim Goodrich, right, and members of the Caroling Connection singing group, perform Christmas carols during the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Nov. 19, 2016, in Chicago.

(Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune)”

 

The Caroling Connection
l to r: Jerry Kelel, Lesley Sharkey, Elizabeth Murphy and Jim Goodrich of The Caroling Connection, booked through With A Voice Like This (Photo Credit: Alyssa Pointer / Chicago Tribune)

 

Introducing The Caroling Connection

Great Expectations

That’s what the holiday season brings…Of warmth and happiness, friends and family, sleepy-eyed children trying to stay awake long after bedtime. The Caroling Connection helps set the mood with quartets and double quartets of costumed a cappella Christmas carolers with the highest musical standards and performance experience to welcome our audiences into not only the season, but connect with the larger Caroling Connection family.

How The Caroling Connection came about

2016 is the first year for The Caroling Connection. After performing for 22 years as a professional Christmas caroler and more, having sung with the Grant Park Symphony Chorus and many other musical opportunities from Rock to Opera and everything in-between, it was time. Time to create a group that embodies what I wanted to see and be during the holidays.

Starting with the highest standards in music and performers as the foundation, but knowing that there’s so much more to the group and the holiday season itself. The knowing wink of an eye when something seemingly impossible happens, the smile that spreads warmth and joy and just the outright excitement that is the holiday season. Friends and family, joining together in the spirit of the season. Bringing the best holiday entertainment in the Dickensian style with live music. Four or eight singers using their voices to bring cheer. Something special when you’re hoping for it and when it’s least expected.  That’s what it’s all about.

What The Caroling Connection does

The Caroling Connection is a quartet of Dickensian costumed a cappella singers who sing four-part holiday songs to provide an almost magical experience to our audience, helping to make holiday memories that last a lifetime. We’re trained musicians of the highest quality with experience to match that add that little something extra when you hear and see us sing. Some of the ways to use us are:

  • Caroling at your front door to welcome your guests
  • Strolling
    • Table to table at banquets or company dinners
    • Through a Reception or Cocktail hour
    • From store to store while your patrons are shopping
    • Throughout your company holiday party
  • Perform a set on a stage for events or meetings
  • Sing for your family holiday get togetherfor that special something extra
  • That surprise that no one is expecting
  • …And more

Our goal

Our goal is to create the atmosphere of warmth, joy and wonder that is a part of the holidays for your special event, party or business that will make a memory for everyone involved.

A Bit of Fancy

From time to time, we’ll post something from behind the scenes at The Caroling Connection, maybe a bit of fun or perhaps a new arrangement of a favorite carol, like this arrangement of Deck the Halls. This was done by our Head Voice, Jim Goodrich and the video features him singing all four parts. Of course, that won’t be the case when the Caroling connection sings it live, but like we said a bit of fun and behind the scenes all at once. Enjoy!

You can find out more about us by visiting The Caroling Connection’s website or using our Contact form.

Home for the Holidays Opens at Elgin Art Showcase December 4

USO
USO – Home for the Holidays (cast left to right): Michael Ehlers, Flora Ann McIntyre, Jennifer Mather and Jim Goodrich

(ELGIN, IL; November 12, 2015) Home for the Holidays, A Musical Revue, opens its 19th season in a four performance engagement at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division Street, 8th Floor, Elgin, IL 60120, December 4 – 6; presented by With A Voice Like This and FAME – Flora Ann McIntyre Entertainment and sponsored in part by an Individual Artist Grant from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.

Inspired by the classic films, Holiday Inn and White Christmas, this spectacular holiday concert will take you on a musical journey of classic songs from the ’40’s & ’50’s: Beginning with a WWII performance for the troops, we’ll move on to a Florida nightclub and finally settle in to a New England town. Christmas Eve In My Hometown, Home For The Holidays, Baby It’s Cold Outside & White Christmas are just a few of the classic songs performed in this magical revue. Complete with lavish costumes, original arrangements, comedy and plenty of sentiment, this show proves that the holidays will warm the heart and enrich the soul because everyone longs to be, “Home for the Holidays”!

“In the summer of 1995 I had an idea: Why not create a holiday concert that includes songs from some of my favorite childhood movies, like Holiday Inn & the classic 1954 film, White Christmas? Those old movies had everything I loved in a film; comedy, sentiment, song & dance plus a love story all in one.” said Flora Ann McIntyre, owner of FAME and co-producer. “From the beginning I wanted this to be a show that the entire family could enjoy and I consider this group of artists to be a part of my family.”

Florida Nightclub
Florida Night Club – Home for the Holidays

Home for the Holidays runs 70 minutes with no intermission and features 30 classic songs performed by four singer/dancers and one keyboardist. For the last eighteen seasons Home for the Holidays has performed in multiple locations in Chicago and the surrounding area, including Kankakee, Joliet, and Door County. It’s also frequently performed at private venues. By performing this engagement at the Elgin Art Showcase people who have wanted to see the show for years will now have an opportunity.

“Every year people ask us where they can see the show and we’re usually either too far away from them or we’re performing at a private event and just can’t invite them” said Jim Goodrich, owner of With A Voice Like This and co-producer. “So this year we’re self-producing the show and I am fortunate to have received an Individual Artist Grant from the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission to help do just that.”

Add to that the Romance Premium Cafe has partnered with Home for the Holidays to provide a “Dinner and a Show” package for the Friday and Saturday evening performances and anyone can make it a wonderful kickoff for the holiday season.

New England Town
New England Town – Home for the Holidays

The four performances will be Friday and Saturday, December 4 & 5 at 8:00 PM and two performances on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM. Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 Day of performance and Dinner and a show packages are $32 advance sale only. For more information on the show and to purchase tickets, visit http://HomefortheHolidays.show/tickets.

Come to the Elgin Art Showcase December 4 – 6 and be “Home for the Holidays”!

What: Home for the Holidays – A Musical Revue
Where: Elgin Art Showcase 164 Division Street, 8th floor, Elgin, IL 60120
When: December 4 & 5 at 8:00 PM, December 6 at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM
How much: $20 in advance, $25 Day of Performance, Dinner and a Show package Dec. 4 & 5, $32 advance sales only
Ticket info: http://HomefortheHolidays.show/tickets

Jim & Tim on Hiatus until 2016

Jim & Tim take a hiatus every year around the holidays. This year, we’re just starting a bit earlier. But we’ll be back in 2016, so keep a eye out for our dates coming up. In the meantime, we’d like to thank Double J Sports Bar, Salt Creek Pizza and Pub, Church Street Brewing and the Moran Athletic Club and the private functions that we played during 2015.

Jim will be out and about during the holiday season, in fact, you may even trip over him if  you’re not watching closely as you bustle along during the busy season. We’ll have more information on where you can see him in the coming weeks.