Mistletoe Carolers – Caroling for a Cause
Welcome to the Mistletoe Carolers, the San Francisco Bay Area’s premier holiday caroling ensemble, proudly part of Areté Singers since 2016. From our East Bay home, we’ve brought harmony to events from Healdsburg to Monterey, Oakdale to San Francisco, enchanting audiences at holiday parties, tree lightings, and community festivals. With our Caroling for a Cause initiative, every performance supports local charities, non-profits, and the performing arts, making your celebration both joyful and impactful.
Our vibrant ensemble of over 100 singers—college students majoring in music, music teachers, directors, retirees, professional performers from San Francisco Opera and Symphony, and passionate vocalists who love spreading holiday cheer—delivers unforgettable performances in festive Dickensian-era costumes, ugly Christmas sweaters, or elegant attire tailored to your event. With a repertoire of over 60 traditional and contemporary holiday carols, plus custom arrangements by our resident composers, we create a warm, festive atmosphere for any occasion.
For more information, email mistletoecarolers@aretesingers.com
FOR SINGERS
Join Mistletoe Carolers!
Love to sing? Join our diverse group of singers and earn money to support your favorite charity, non-profit, performing arts group, or education—perfect for college students! Rehearsals are flexible and fun, designed to fit your schedule.
Singer qualifications and skills requirements:
- Engaging performance
- Excellent sight-reading
- Ability to sing in trio, quartet, and small ensembles
- Blend well with other singers
- Love singing carols and holiday songs
- Professional behavior and attitude
- Holiday Costumes (required)
- Dickens Costume (optional)
Artisan Singers represent the highest level of musical excellence within Mistletoe Carolers. These are seasoned professional singers, music educators, choir directors, and career musicians who bring advanced vocal technique, refined artistry, and deep performance experience. Many hold formal music degrees or have years of professional training and stage experience. They serve as the artistic leaders of the ensemble. Eligibility for this tier is at the discretion of the Artistic Director and Music Directors. Assignment at this tier may require an audition to determine level of excellence, experience, and education. Gig and concert assignments use these definitions to determine talent needs and scheduling. Pay Range is $40 to $90 per hour.
Bravo Singers form the strong, dedicated core of Mistletoe Carolers. These are experienced vocalists who primarily perform in a volunteer capacity with community choruses, church choirs, and ensembles. They bring solid musical training, significant rehearsal and stage experience, strong sight-reading skills, and a high level of musicianship. Many have extensive choral or ensemble backgrounds, private voice study, or years of community and church choir participation. They provide the rich, balanced sound that supports and elevates every performance. Eligibility for this tier is at the discretion of the Artistic Director and Music Directors. Assignment at this tier may require an audition to determine level of excellence, experience, and education. Gig and concert assignments use these definitions to determine talent needs and scheduling. Pay range is $35 to $70 per hour.
Rising Singers primarily consist of talented high-school and college-age student vocalists who represent the bright future of Mistletoe Carolers. This tier also includes adults who do not yet meet the criteria for the Bravo Singers. This is a development tier designed to raise and nurture singers as they build their skills and experience. Many are actively involved in school choirs, honor ensembles, or private voice lessons. Their fresh energy, enthusiasm, and developing artistry add a special sparkle to the ensemble while they continue their musical education. Eligibility for this tier is at the discretion of the Artistic Director and Music Directors. Assignment at this tier may require an audition to determine level of excellence, experience, and education. Gig and concert assignments use these definitions to determine talent needs and scheduling. Pay range is $30 to $60 per hour.
Rehearsals, Workshop and Concert
Regular Rehearsals are scheduled as follows. It’s expected that you’ll attend one regular rehearsal each month (September, October) plus the dress rehearsal in November.
A Cappella Master Workshop – Led by Deke Sharon and Emily Drum, St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 3454 Hamlin Rd, Lafayette
Saturday, September 26, 2026, 10am-4pm
Heralded as “The Father of Contemporary A Cappella,” Deke Sharon is the founder of the Contemporary A Cappella Society, vocal producer for the Pitch Perfect films, and creator of NBC’s The Sing-Off. He is one of the world’s most respected a cappella arrangers, coaches, and educators. https://www.
Emily Drum is an award-winning a cappella arranger, composer, vocal coach, and producer. A member of the acclaimed treble quartet Red Letter Daze, she has worked with top collegiate and professional groups worldwide and is known for her excellence in vocal technique and performance engagement. https://www.
East Bay Section – Led by Dr. Christian Emigh: St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, Oak Room, 66 St. Stephen’s Way, Orinda
1st Saturday, 10am-1pm (9/5/26, 10/3/26)
Dr. Christian Emigh is a respected choral conductor and educator serving as East Bay Music Director for Mistletoe Carolers. He leads the East Bay section with a focus on musical precision and ensemble cohesion. He sings with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and serves as the San Francisco Boys Chorus East Bay Intermediate Group Director. His doctoral training and experience in sacred and community choral music make him a valued leader within the organization.
North Bay Section – Led by DeAnne Reeder: Santa Rosa
1st Sunday, 1pm-4pm (9/6/26, 10/4/26)
DeAnne Reeder – North Bay Music Director
DeAnne Reeder is a dedicated private music teacher and studio owner based in Sebastopol. With years of experience teaching and performing, she brings warmth, pedagogical skill, and a passion for nurturing singers of all ages. As North Bay Music Director for Mistletoe Carolers, she leads rehearsals and helps foster the ensemble’s high standards of holiday performance.
Central Valley Section– Led by Tim Salaver: University of the Pacific, Music Room, 625 Dave Brubeck Way, Stockton
2nd Sunday, 5pm-8pm (9/13/26, 10/11/26)
Timothy Echavez Salaver – Artistic Director
Timothy Echavez Salaver is the founder and Artistic Director of Areté Singers and Mistletoe Carolers. A passionate choral arranger and music director, he has composed and arranged many of the ensemble’s signature holiday pieces, including his notable settings of “The Little Drummer Boy” and the popular “Frosty the Snowman / Let It Snow” mash-up. He leads the Tri-Valley and Stockton Central Valley rehearsals. Tim sings with the San Francisco Symphony Chorus and the Golden Gate Symphony Chorus. With deep roots in the San Francisco Bay Area’s Filipino-American community and a lifelong commitment to sacred and holiday music, Tim leads Mistletoe Carolers with a vision of excellence, warmth, and joyful celebration. Under his direction, the ensemble has grown into one of the Bay Area’s premier holiday performance groups as it celebrates its 10-year anniversary.
West Bay Section – Led by Dr. Mark Sumner: First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco, Macondray Hall (Choir Room), 1187 Franklin St, San Francisco
3rd Saturday, 10am-1pm (9/19/26, 10/17/26)
Dr. Mark Sumner is a renowned choral conductor, educator, and professional vocalist with over five decades of artistic excellence. He serves as Director of Music at First Unitarian Universalist Society of San Francisco and has performed with Volti and other leading ensembles. As West Bay Music Director for Mistletoe Carolers, he leads rehearsals and brings exceptional musicianship and leadership to the ensemble.
South Bay Section – Led by Jamie Mulfinger: San Jose
3rd Sunday, 1pm-4pm (9/20/26, 10/18/26)
Jamie Mulfinger is an accomplished choral and instrumental music director, flutist, and recorder player. She serves as Music Director at Union Presbyterian Church in Los Altos and brings extensive experience directing community and church choirs as well as performing with orchestras such as the Redwood Symphony. As South Bay Music Director for Mistletoe Carolers, she leads rehearsals and helps create warm, engaging performances throughout the region.
Typical Rehearsal Structure
1st Hour – Artisan Singers rehearsal
2nd Hour – Artisan, Bravo, Rising Singers
3rd Hour – Artisan, Bravo, Rising Singers
Dress Rehearsal – This is an actual dress rehearsal in costume.
Sunday, November 8, 2026, 2pm-5pm, St. Perpetua Catholic Church, Lafayette (REQUIRED attendance)
Caroling for a Cause Concert
Sunday, December 20, 2026, 3pm-5pm
FOR CLIENTS