SEATAC, Wash. — For more than 40 years, Washingtonians have been serenaded by carolers dressed in Victorian finery.
The Dickens Carolers were founded in 1978 and sing from Thanksgiving through Christmas throughout the Puget Sound.
A Capella quartets consisting of two men and two women perform everywhere from private events to public concourses at Sea-Tac Airport.
"I've been traveling for one year,” said Janice Malcolm, who came across a quartet near the A Gates. "I thought it would be nice to stop and listen to them."
There are 13 quartets available for performances. The company is run by two former singers, Nathan Rodda and Jason Meredith.
"I think people connect with it on all kinds of levels,” Rodda said. “For children, they're delighted and enchanted and hopefully for them, we're making memories. And then for older people, it brings back a lot of fond memories they had."
Even in a busy airport - where time and comfort can be in short supply - a nostalgic melody changes things.
"It's more about the spirit of it and being with people and connecting with people. It's a lot more than just the music,” Meredith said. "I think people want that. They want to be reminded of what Christmas means to them."
The Dickens Carolers have been hired to perform at joyous events like engagements, and solemn ones inside hospital rooms. They have a list of 70 songs to choose from, and the standard rate is $280 per hour.
"Most of us hope that we leave the world a better place than we found it, and we always wonder if we have. And when you're a Dickens Caroler, you actually know that you have,” Rodda said.
The Dickens Carolers will not be at the airport this year, but you can follow them on Instagram for updates on when and where they will be performing!
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