ENGLEWOOD, N.J. — Decked out in Santa hats, reindeer headbands or other seasonal garb, an all-Japanese troupe of singers recently made its annual pilgrimage to New Jersey, where they spread holiday spirit to patients, their families and staff at a hospital in their largest turnout ever.
For the past 16 years, the New York Men's Choir has caroled at Englewood Hospital and Medical Center in the New York City suburb. The group is well known, especially after they were featured in "Shall We Sing?" The documentary snagged two awards at the 2007 Tokyo Video Festival and has been widely shown at film festivals.
But in 2004, women's voices were added. As a mixed group the singers then made their debut at Carnegie Hall the next year, taking their renown to a new level. But for many the thrill of bringing joy to the sick is what they consider their greatest gift to the community.