The Press Enterprise, "Caroling in the desert."

by Cadonna Peyton 

Tuesday, January 6, 2004

        Finishing up another busy season, a group of professional singers are on hiatus.  For about four weeks - starting the weekend after Thanksgiving - The Desert Carolers are in high demand.  The group travels throughout the Inland Empire singing Christmas carols at country clubs, businesses and private residences.

        Its final act this year was Christmas Eve at a family's Palm Desert estate.  Harold Lerner, co-owner of the Redlands-based group, called it a "truly magical evening" and said the group's members can't wait for next year.

        The Desert Carolers was created about 25 years ago in Long Beach, but has been in the Inland Empire 14 years.  Two years ago, the owners were going to disband the group.  That is when Lerner and his partner, Carla Paul, took over.

        "This is a very unique organization and I didn't want to have it disbanded," Lerner said.  "We already had the singers, we already had the costumes and this is something that brings a lot of joy to a lot of people and that's something that we really don't have much of here in the Inland Empire."  

         The 12 Singers - four quartets of soprano, alto, tenor and bass ranging in age from 25 to 50 - are all professional singers who don't need a lot of rehearsing.  So, they hold three, three-hour practices that start in September and are ready to perform by Thanksgiving.

        Although the carolers sing most of the 40 songs in their repertoire a cappella, they put their spin on some familiar tunes and even use a guitar while performing "Feliz Navidad," Lerner said.  They also dress the part by wearing authentic Dickens-era costumes.  Lerner said the group averages about 25 to 30 shows each season and by the looks on faces, it's obvious its audiences enjoy it.

        "It brings Christmas a little closer to people who have forgotten the spirit of it," Lerner Said.  "It gives them a feeling of an old-fashioned Christmas, and what Christmas should be."

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To book The Desert Carolers contact Carla or Harold:

Phone:  1-800-818-8384

Email: info@desertcarolers.com