At the annual ‘Songs of Good Cheer,’ Christmas carols never go out of style

Chicago Tribune / by Doug George / December 2, 2024

It may not draw crowds like “The Nutcracker,” but as an annual Chicago holiday tradition it has no less devoted an audience.

“Songs of Good Cheer,” on stage next week in a short series of concerts at the Old Town School of Folk Music, is a show with Christmas carols and other holiday music led by Mary Schmich and Eric Zorn, both former columnists for the Tribune. There’s a backing house band of professional folk, country and jazz musicians, and audience members get a copy of song lyrics at their seat, should they need it. The crowd is invited to sing along.

“The audience is part of the show, is what I’ve always said,” Schmich said in a recent interview.

Concerts last about two and a half hours with an intermission. Along with music, there’s always some back-and-forth exchange between Schmich and Zorn, and this year they’re planning a quiz about holiday songs. Read More Here.