ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — As his dog, Zoey, brings a steady streem of toys into the living room of his house in the Georgetown area of downtown St. John’s, David Brake recounts how he fell in love with Christmas caroling.
“My fondest memories were when I was invited to go out caroling with a friend of mine,” Brake says.
“Sometimes people would call you in, you’d sing at their piano, they’d give you some mince pies and Christmas cake and you’d carry on.”
It’s a tradition Brake is trying to revive in his neighbourhood.
“Georgetown is a good place,” he says. “If there wasn’t a tradition of caroling, there should be.”
Brake has put out a call for interested parties to join him on Saturday in the Georgetown area, at 5:30, after the Mummer’s Parade. He hopes by going door to door singing carols, they can spread a little joy and help to build community.
“I remember how pleasant it was that people, when they opened the door, they’d be smiling,” Brake says.
Whether you can sing or not, Brake doesn’t think it matters.
“Anyone who wants to turn up can turn up and take part,” Brake says. “It’s about participation and spreading happiness.”
He hopes to continue the tradition into the following years, but his hopes for this one are modest.
“I would hope there will be a couple families that would really like us to come visit,” he says. “If you knew you had a grandparent, or somebody who’s alone at Christmas, who might appreciate a visit, we would go.”
Doug Dunsmore, a man who has played an integral role in choral music in Newfoundland since the late 1970s, says anything that gets people singing is a good thing.
“It’s never a bad time to sing,” Dunsmore said. “For me, carols are some of my favourite pieces of music. … They’re etched into your memory and they’re wonderful.”
For this year, Brake will be happy with whatever the turnout may be.
“Even if it’s just me, my partner and my kids, we’ll still do it,” Brake said.
And he’ll bring Zoey, too.
Twitter: @andrewLwaterman
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