Wessel Carollers continue Christmas Eve tradition at Lions Gate Hospital

As they have done for more than 20 years, the Wessel Carollers will be spreading Christmas joy and making spirits bright with their annual Christmas Eve Sing-Along at Lions Gate Hospital.

“We are a group of enthusiastic Vancouver Coastal Health employees who enjoy singing throughout the hospital on Christmas Eve,” says Rosemary Hill, Wound Ostomy Nurse Clinician.

Accompanied by guitarist Mike Tanner, Rosemary leads the group of about 30 unrehearsed singers from one end of the hospital to the other. They sing from a repertoire of about 35 traditional Christmas carols, including “Good King Wenceslas” and, perennial favourite, “Joy to the World”. Click here to listen to the Irish Rovers sing “Good King Wenceslas.”

The group will meet this year outside the hospital chapel at 3:30 pm on Dec. 24th and begin to travel throughout all the floors, starting on the 7th and making their way down to the Emergency Department.

The carolling tradition started at LGH about 30 years ago by palliative care nurse Muriel Wessel, who wanted to bring joy and a little bit of Christmas to patients who couldn’t be with their families.

“Christmas is a family experience and music and song brings it together,” says LGH chaplain Andres Rebane, who joins in on the singing. “For people who cannot be at home or are unable to visit their church, the music can be very emotional.”

If the group gets too big and there are surplus singers, Rosemary says there could be two groups touring the hospital’s hallways.

“If you play an instrument, bring it along as it would certainly add to our vocal ensemble, ” says Rosemary. “We’re always looking for more guitar players. Our patients very much appreciate the visit and sing song.”