South’s hallways will soon be filled with the sound of holiday carols sung by girls and boys dressed in hoop skirts and top hats. As the holidays approach, the tradition of the Chambers singers continues as they prepare for their upcoming season.

The Chambers group represents one of South’s selective singing programs. This year, Chambers includes 22 students: 11 boys and 11 girls. According to senior Noor Abdulmassih, they perform during the holiday season, at the fall, winter and spring concerts, V-Show and have their own Chambers concert in May.

The Chambers singers are primarily known for their holiday performances around the Glenview community. They spread holiday cheer by caroling in traditional Victorian-styled outfits.

Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, the Chambers singers will attend around 40 events. According to Chambers instructor Martin Sirvatka, Chambers spreads a lot of joy to people in retirement homes.

“Most of the people [in retirement homes], although they are suffering say from Alzheimer’s or some kind other of dementia, they still remember the words to the songs,” Sirvatka said. “They sing along with us, and that’s so good.”

However, not only do the performances touch the audience members, but they also inspire the Chambers group. Sirvatka remembers the life changing moment from the holiday performances at the hospital last year.

“Somebody asked us [last year to] sing [for a patient] [be]cause this will be the last day that this person lives, and they want to send them into heaven with a song,” Sirvatka said. “That’s pretty impactful that you have that much power or that you have that much ability to bring joy to the people.”

The Chambers singers plan to perform at many of the same events from last year. According to junior Paul Tisch, people can expect a great holiday season this year.

“People can expect good music that warms the soul and brings holiday cheer to all that hear,” Tisch said.

While many traditions will remain the same, the Chambers singers have added new songs for this particular holiday season.

“‘I’ve Got My Love to Keep Me Warm’ is a new [song], and I’m doing an arrangement right now of ‘Little Drummer Boy,’” Sirvatka said.

The Chambers singers experience a hectic schedule, practicing their holiday music every Thursday from September until May and preparing for both their holiday performances and their regular concerts. They often practice on their own to prepare for all of these performances. According to Sirvatka, the group has a very strong dynamic.

“[This group is] super passionate about their performance and the new [members] want to really please and do a good job,” Sirvatka said. “I’m seeing a bunch of [the new singers] after school or in the practice rooms […] without me having to nag them about anything. So that’s awesome.”

However, even with hard practice the Chambers singers find time to spread the joy to each other.

“[Junior] Jeffrey Mathew dressed up as Santa for our Chambers marathon- beard and all,” Tisch said. “That was pretty great.”

They continued to spread the holiday spirit to each other outside the realm of music.

“This Chambers group is really close this year, and we try to do as much as we can to spread the holiday cheer,” Abdulmassih said. “We decorated the choir classroom with the Christmas tree and the lights.”

This year the singers have great respect for the performances they do as well.

“I love watching the audience as we’re performing,” Tisch said. “There are always a few people in the audience who love every moment of each song and watch us with huge smiles. It’s mutual heart-warming.”

According to Abdulmassih, Chambers has had a very positive and influential role on her life.

“Being in Chambers has truly been an amazing experience,” Abdulmassih said. “It will probably be the first thing I think of when I look back at my high school experience because of […] the holiday joy [I have] spread and Chambers has spread.”