On the first day of school after Thanksgiving break, members of Kantorei came to school in Christmas sweaters and Santa hats to add holiday spirit to their performance at Texas Children’s Hospital. 

To commence the Christmas season, Kantorei, the Upper School acapella choir, sang Christmas carols at Texas Children’s Hospital on Dec. 2 during the hospital’s a Christmas party for patients and their families. 

“There was so much festive spirit,” bass Romit Kundagrami said. “It was really nice to sing for the kids, so I enjoyed it very much.”

Christmas caroling at Texas Children’s Hospital has been a staple of Kantorei performances for years. This year, the choir performed in the Child Life Zone to provide background music during the Christmas party for patients instead of singing in the Skybridge for the annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony.

“When the patients come in and see the food and decorations, they can look over at a live choir, and it adds to the whole package to them,” Choral Director Scott Bonasso said. “Kantorei is there to add an extra magical element to the entire experience for the patients.” 

While the Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony was a more formal performance, caroling at the party was casual. Kantorei members dressed in scarves, Santa hats and sweaters while singing some of the children’s favorite carols, including “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.” 

“I liked the experience more this year because we were a lot closer to the kids,” Choir President Claire Huff said. “This was a really great experience for the performers to connect with the kids in the hospital.” 

Kantorei sang their caroling repertoire after Candlelight on Dec. 9 and will perform at Crain Garden and the Houston Museum of Fine Arts on Dec. 19. While these performances are more formal than the caroling at Texas Children’s, all of Kantorei’s caroling events help lead up to the holiday celebrations. 

“Caroling at the Wassail Party after Candlelight feels like a spontaneous performance,” Bonasso said. “Kantorei adds to the festive atmosphere.”