Let us make your event extraordinary – reserve our performers!
Let us make your event extraordinary—reserve our performers!
Book Now

Festival of Carolers – Caroling for a Cause Concert

Here is the vision for the Caroling for a Cause Concert on December 22, 2025. 

  • Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus will be raising funds for their Professional Musicians Fund which supports their music directors, principal musicians and chorus section leads.  Ninety percent of the proceeds raised by GGSOC will be returned to GGSOC.
  • Golden Gate Boys Choir will be raising funds for their scholarship fund to assist boys in financial need.  Ninety percent of the proceeds raised by the GGBC will be returned to the GGBC.
  • UUSF will be raising funds for their music department which will be touring Japan and the Philippines in January 2026.  Ninety percent of the proceeds raised by UUSF will be returned to UUSF Music Department.
  • Mistletoe Carolers and Caroling for a Cause Chorus will be raising funds for their local non-profits, performing arts programs and education programs.  Fifty percent of the proceeds raised by the Mistletoe Carolers will be returned to the singers for their causes.

Featured Performers

  • American Idol Season 2025 Finalist Filo Ebid
  • Urs Leanhardt Steiner, Music Director, Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
  • Steven Meyer, Music Director, Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers
  • Mark Sumner, Music Director, UUSF Choir
  • Timothy Echavez Salaver, Music Director, Areté Singers and Mistletoe Carolers
  • Reiko Oda Lane, organist
  • Nicole Faghihi, pianist
  • Kaori Nakano, pianist
  • Andrew Kessler, baritone

Tickets

For Orchestra and Chorus tickets, go to Caroling for a Cause web page.

Program Notes

The evening opens with an entertaining, high-energy segment by the Mistletoe Carolers and Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers (GGBCBR), featuring lively carols, Hanukkah tunes, and whimsical hits to set a festive tone with audience participation. The GGBCBR adds youthful vocals and handbell elements on select pieces. After intermission, the Caroling for a Cause Chorus delivers a serene close with reflective classics—accompanied by the rousing Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra. This structure builds excitement early and ends on a contemplative, unifying note. Durations are based on provided times, totaling about 91 minutes of music (slight overrun allows for flexible pacing).

The Caroling for a Cause Chorus will consist of singers from Areté Singers, UUSF, Golden Gate Symphony Chorus, Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers, plus the audience during the sing-along songs.  We expect about an 80-voice chorus.

Part I:  Fun-Filled Holiday and Hanukkah Celebration (Approximately 56 minutes)

Performed by Mistletoe Carolers with GGBCBR on specific songs. Mostly a cappella, creating a vibrant yet intimate feel, with handbells adding sparkle where noted. These selections emphasize entertainment: rhythmic tempos, Hanukkah inclusivity, and humorous twists.

Winter Adventures and Sleigh Rides Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers A) (7 minutes)

  • Frosty the Snowman / Let It Snow Medley (3:15) – Snowy adventures and winter whimsy (a cappella).
  • Deck the Halls (in 7/8) (1:30) – Jazzy, offbeat take on decking the halls (a cappella).
  • Sleigh Ride (2:03) – High energy song about a sleigh ride with bells (a cappella).

Reflective and Nostalgic Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers A / Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers) (9 minutes)

  • Mary Did You Know (3:45), featuring Filo Ebid.
  • Bring a Torch, Jeanette, Isabella (1:45)
  • Coventry Carol (1:31) – Haunting lullaby played by GGBCBR ringers (handbells only).
  • Hodie (Ceremony of Carols, w bells) (1:30) – Festive processional sung by GGBCBR with bells.

Bells and Joyful Rings Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers ABC/Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers) (7 minutes)

  • Ukrainian Carol of the Bells (1:38) – Rhythmic bell variant played by GGBCBR ringers (handbells only).
  • Ding Dong! Merrily on High! (Mechem) (0:55) – Joyful carol sung by GGBCBR (with bells).
  • *Jingle Bells (2:00) – Dash through the snow with audience sing-along (a cappella).
  • Silver Bells (2:15) – Bustling city streets ringing with joy (a cappella).

Hanukkah and Global Cheer Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers ABC) (8 minutes)

  • The Christmas Song (2:15) – Nostalgic chestnuts roasting on an open fire (A Corps-a cappella).
  • Mele Kalikimaka (2:40) – Tropical Hawaiian Christmas vibe (A Corps-a cappella).
  • Fum, Fum, Fum (1:15) – Traditional Catalan Christmas Carol (a cappella)
  • *Feliz Navidad (1:10) – Bilingual cheer for global holiday spirit (a cappella).

Santa and Reindeer Fun Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers ABC) (8 minutes)

  • Santa Claus is Comin’ To Town (2:05) – Jolly reminder to be good.
  • Mr. Jingle Bell Rock (2:15) – Rock ‘n’ roll energy for toe-tapping fun.

Closing Reflections Mini-Theme (Mistletoe Carolers ABC) (5 minutes)

  • I’ll Be Home for Christmas (2:05) – Promises of a holiday reunion (a cappella).
  • The Secret of Christmas  (2:55) – Iconic longing for a holiday reunion (a cappella).

15-Minute Intermission

Part II: Traditional Holiday and Winter Classics (Approximately 50 minutes)

Performed by the Caroling for a Cause Chorus accompanied by organist Reiko Oda Lane, pianists Nicole Faghihi and Kaori Nakano, the rousing Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra and the Golden Gate Boys Choir and Bellringers with Andrew Kessler, Baritone, and Guest Artist American Idol Season 2025 Finalist Filo Ebid.

Repertoire Folder

  • The Rose by Ola Gjeilo (3:29) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Kaori Nakano, piano)
  • *O Come All Ye Faithful (3:37) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Reiko Oda Lane, Organ, Bellringers)
  • Grown Up Christmas List (3:35) (Filo Ebid, Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Nicole Faghihi, piano)
  • *Hark the Herald Angels Sing (2:10) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Reiko Oda Lane, Organ, Bellringers)
  • Glow by Eric Whitacre (3:06) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Kaori Nakano, piano)
  • *The First Nowell (4:31) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Reiko Oda Lane, Organ, Bellringers)
  • O Holy Night (6:15) (Filo Ebid, Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Nicole Faghihi, piano)
  • Fantasia on Christmas Carols by Ralph Vaughan Williams (12:00) – Andrew Kessler, Baritone (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Reiko Oda Lane, Organ)
  • A Merry Christmas (1:35) – Joyful holiday farewell (a cappella).

Encore

  • *Hallelujah Chorus (3:00) (Golden Gate Symphony Orchestra, Reiko Oda Lane, organ, Nicole Faghihi, piano)

* – Sing-along songs

Schedule – Festival of Carolers – Caroling for a Cause

Caroling for a Cause Chorus Rehearsals

12/16 7:00p-9:30p-Caroling for a Cause Chorus Rehearsal, St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 3454 Hamlin Road, Lafayette
12/18 7:00p-9:30p-Caroling for a Cause Chorus Rehearsal, First Unitarian Universalist Society of SF, 1187 Franklin Ave, SF (UUSF)
12/20 10:00a-1:00pm-Caroling for a Cause Chorus Maestro Rehearsal, UUSF

12/21 6:00pm-9:00pm – Dress Rehearsal with GGSO and GGBCBR, UUSF (Part 2 then Part 1 dress rehearsal)

5:00PM – GGSO and GGBCBR Load-in and setup
6:00PM – Caroling for a Cause Chorus and Musicians Call
7:30PM – Orchestra and Caroling for a Cause Chorus Dismissed
7:35PM – GGBCBR Part 1 Songs
7:55PM – GGBCBR Dismissed; Mistletoe Carolers Part 1 and Part 2 Songs
9:00PM – Mistletoe Carolers dismissed

12/22 Concert 7:30pm-9:30pm

5:30PM – GGSO and GGBCBR Load-in and setup (should be minimal)
6:10PM – Caroling for a Cause Chorus Call and show run through
7:10PM – Doors Open
7:30PM – Concert Start
9:30PM – Concert End; GGSO and GGBCBR Breakdown and Load-out