December 21, 2005
Carols music to neighbors' ears
Christmas caroling parties provide Traverse City neighborhoods with strolling musical gifts
By Kristen Hains
Special to the Herald
If it weren't for the musical "Hair," Jeff and Kelly Curtis might never have started their Christmas caroling tradition.
The popular musical was the first show Kelly Curtis was involved with at Old Town Playhouse. It was following that show that she first had the idea to get her musical (and non-musical) friends together to share the joy of Christmas with her neighbors.
Caroling is in the Curtis' blood, noted Kelly Curtis. She said her husband's family always caroled on Christmas Eve down in Three Rivers, Mich. The tradition discontinued as the kids grew up and moved to different parts of the state.
But given the love of music that is shared by both Jeff and Kelly Curtis, it didn't take long for the tradition to revive itself in Traverse City. This past Sunday marked the 23rd year of the Curtis caroling tradition. Each year on the Sunday before Christmas, the Curtis' gather their friends and family and present their musical "gifts" to their neighbors.
"I would say our largest (group) was about 75 people," she said. "It's usually somewhere between 30-50."
That many people wandering the streets can often attract a crowd - and sometimes the law. "The year that we had our largest party, we had the police following us around the neighborhood trying to figure out what this mob of people was doing," Curtis recalled.
"Admittedly we can be a bit loud, but probably one-third of those 75 people were under the age of 10," she said. "You can't look too intimidating when you're traveling with kids."
The Curtis' caroling tradition is one that is enjoyed by all ages. Certain traditions -like Kelly's cheeseball, toffee and hot cocoa - are a guarantee each year; everything else is impromptu.
"The route, it depends on the weather and the ambition level," she said. "Twenty years ago we'd walk all the way downtown and carol at the bars," she said. "When we were younger we used to go a lot farther."
The Curtis' relocated to the west side of town about six years ago. No matter what side of town, though, she said the reaction is always positive and people always get into the spirit of giving. "I think generally people are just charmed by it, it's just something from Christmas past almost, you don't see it very often anymore," she said.
She said neighbors are surprised by it and kids love it. The carolers are often the recipients of cookies and candy. "They feel the need to share something with us," Curtis said of the homeowners they sing to.
Though the caroling party is as much about fellowship with friends and sharing in the holiday moments, Curtis finds there are moments that truly define it as a part of the holiday season. One story that sticks with Curtis is a woman in her 80s who came out onto her porch to listen to the carolers.
"She was crying, and said 'you have made my Christmas, I spend so much time by myself'," Curtis recalled. "It's such a wonderful feeling."
And while the Curtis' clan is canvassing the west side of town, the east side is being tended by Matt and Jenn Archibald.
The Archibald caroling tradition started nine years ago. Matt Archibald noted that he and his wife, Jenn started the tradition the year before the two were married.
"Jenn started (caroling) before we were married just because she loves music and she loves community and getting to know the neighbors," Archibald said. "The first one was before we were married. I missed it and she was never going to let me live it down."
The Archibald's welcome anywhere from 12-40 people each year for their caroling party which takes them through areas surrounding State Street. Their own six children are growing up in the tradition and learning to appreciate their parents' love of music.
"We're both into music a lot and so a big part of Christmas is going Christmas caroling every year," Archibald said. "If we didn't go around and do it we'd still be singing Christmas carols in our house. "But it's fun to go around and spread joy to the neighbors."
Archibald said the reaction from neighbors is always one of pleasant surprise. "They're often surprised, they're always happy," he said of the neighborhood response. "We've never had anyone slam the door in our faces."
For Archibald, though, caroling holds a deeper meaning. "Being a Christian, he said, "How often do you get to knock on people's doors and sing about God?"