Podcast Summary: "The West Village Chorale Gets Us in the Holiday Spirit"

Podcast: All Of It (WNYC)
Host: Tiffany Hansen (in for Alison Stewart)
Date: December 19, 2025
Guests: Members of the West Village Chorale

Overview

This festive episode of All Of It welcomes the West Village Chorale for their third annual in-studio holiday performance and preview of their iconic Greenwich Village Caroling Walk. The discussion dives into the history, inclusivity, and joyful spirit of the chorale and its traditions, as well as the universal community-building power of holiday music.

Key Discussion Points

1. The Greenwich Village Caroling Walk Tradition

• Event Details:
  • Annual community caroling event held by the West Village Chorale
  • Open to everyone—no tickets or registration required
  • Begins at 2:00 PM at Judson Memorial Church, 243 Thompson Street (00:49, 03:08, 20:22)
  • Multiple singing groups split out across the West Village, with sheets and books provided
  • Inclusive to all ages and singing abilities

Notable Quote:

• "Anybody can just show up at 2 o'clock. No registration, no tickets. Just show up."
  —Katie Fitzgerald (Soprano), (03:15-03:21)

• "We have about six or seven routes that go out the entire West Village. We try to always get into Washington Square Park and sing in the park to get as many people up for the festivities as possible."
  —John Onderdonk (Tenor/Route Leader), (03:49-04:10)

2. Live Performances and Musical Selections

• The Chorale performs several live holiday favorites throughout the episode:

  • “Deck the Halls” (01:22)
  • “Angels We Have Heard on High” (06:16)
  • “Carol of the Bells” (13:05)
  • “Joy to the World” (17:47)
  • “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (21:47)

• The repertoire for the Caroling Walk is broad and includes traditional carols, lesser-known favorites, and even pop hits like Mariah Carey's holiday anthem.

Memorable Moment:

• When asked about requests:
  • “If you have a favorite carol, pretty much we probably will figure it out, right?”
    —Diane Patterson (Alto), (05:00-05:11)
  • “We actually redid the book last year… I think we’ve even got Mariah Carey in there. Although when we get to the bridge there, it’s a little dicey.”
    —Katie Fitzgerald, (05:32-05:47)

3. Chorale Introductions and Inclusivity

• Members of each section (altos, sopranos, basses, tenors) introduce themselves, sharing their NYC neighborhoods, years in the group, and what they love about singing with the Chorale (04:22–12:35).
• The Chorale is described as welcoming to all singers—no matter your skill level.

Notable Quotes:

• “You all are great singers. I am a horrible singer. I assume people like me are still welcome to come.”
  —Tiffany Hansen (Host), (10:15-10:23)
• “Absolutely. Come sing in my group tomorrow.”
  —Ellen Gottlieb (Soprano), (10:23-10:24)

4. Rich History of the Chorale

• Founded in 1971 as part of St. Luke in the Fields music program
• First program launched was the Caroling Walk, alongside the Messiah Sing and a summer series
• Rehearsals and performances now take place at Judson Memorial Church, under the acoustically rich Washington Square Arch (10:36-11:33).

Notable Quote:

• “The Caroling Walk was one of the first programs they launched after founding the chorus to reach out to the community.”
  —John Herzfeld (Bass and long-standing member), (10:51-10:59)

5. Artistic Philosophy and Future Events

• The Chorale takes pride in diverse programming: from classical to contemporary and thematic concerts.
• Artistic Director Colin Britt provides insights into intentional programming—balancing major works, new music, collaboration, and community engagement (15:15–16:51).

Notable Quotes:

• “We try to have a wide array of music and repertoire, something to sort of speak to everybody, but also try to say something with each concert we offer.”
  —Colin Britt (Artistic Director), (16:47–16:51)

• Upcoming highlights:

  • “All Aboard: Conductor’s Choice” concert in March, celebrating Colin’s tenth season
  • A collaboration in May with Jersey City’s Nimbus Dance Company, marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, titled “This Land is Yours Land” (15:46-16:51)

6. On the Joy of Holiday Music

• Discussion on what makes a good holiday song:
  • Accessibility (“people can learn and sing by ear or by reading music”)
  • Nostalgia and harmonies
  • “You can’t—it’s not Christmas until you hear Nat King Cole singing the Christmas Song.”
    —Colin Britt, (18:59–19:23)

7. Community and Participation

• Information on how to join the West Village Chorale:
  • Rolling auditions, 70-voice choir, Tuesday night rehearsals at Judson Memorial Church (19:46–20:12)
• Reiteration of the open, friendly, and intergenerational spirit at the heart of the caroling walk (20:22–21:25)

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I love harmonizing in voice and in spirit.”
  —Robert Charles (Bass), (12:17–12:27)

• “We even get, you know, interest from people who are coming in from overseas. We got a couple of emails.”
  —Katie Fitzgerald, (21:09)

• “We have people who I would call classic choral overachievers… but all ages, we've serenaded kids and toddlers.”
  —Katie Fitzgerald/John Herzfeld, (21:12–21:25)

Important Timestamps

• 00:49—Intro to Event and Chorale’s Arrival
• 01:22—First Performance: “Deck the Halls”
• 03:08—Caroling Walk Details: Time & Place
• 05:32—Songbooks and Mariah Carey!
• 06:16—Performance: “Angels We Have Heard on High”
• 09:17—Soprano Introductions
• 10:36—Chorale’s History & Notable Moments
• 13:05—Performance: “Carol of the Bells”
• 14:34—Tenor Introductions
• 15:15—Artistic Director Colin Britt on Programming
• 17:47—Performance: “Joy to the World”
• 18:59—On What Makes a Good Holiday Song
• 19:46—How to Join the West Village Chorale
• 20:22—Final Caroling Walk Info
• 21:47—Performance: “We Wish You a Merry Christmas”

Tone & Closing Thoughts

The episode is upbeat, humorous, and inclusive—embodying the spirit of choral singing as communal and welcoming. The Chorale and its leaders emphasize history, accessibility, and the connective power of music.

Host Tiffany’s playful confession about her own singing abilities, matched by the chorale’s open embrace—"Absolutely. Come sing in my group tomorrow." (10:23)—highlights the event's community-first ethos. The episode concludes with the West Village Chorale’s “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” inviting listeners to join, no matter their musical background.