The Voices of Liberty have returned as Dickens Carolers for the International Festival of the Holidays 2023 at EPCOT. The a cappella musical ensemble performs for guests in the rotunda of the American Adventure Pavilion in World Showcase at EPCOT year-round, but their special holiday performance and Dickens carolers costumes are only around for a limited time.
Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers
We caught their set today. The group performed modern a cappella versions of the following songs, but the lineup may vary:
- Christmas in the Air
- Hark the Harold Angels/Gloria mashup
- Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer
- Hanukkah, O Hanukkah/ Dreidl Song/Shalom My Friend mashup
- Christmas Tree
- The First Noel
- We Wish You a Merry Christmas
Voices of Liberty is performing at the American Adventure Pavilion. According to Disney’s website, showtimes may vary, but are running through December 30 several times per day at 11:15 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:45 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:15 p.m., 3 p.m., and 3:45 p.m. If you visit, step into the rotunda or sit along the edge for the perfect aural experience created by the rotunda.
Check out our video of Voices of Liberty as Dickens Carolers here:
Voices of Liberty and Voctave
The Voices of Liberty have been performing at Walt Disney World since 1972, when they were granted four performances a day for 11 days to sing in front of Cinderella Castle after they were discovered by Robert Cross, then-entertainment director for Magic Kingdom. “You’re more Disney than Disney,” Cross said about the group. Reception by guests was equally positive; crowds flocked to the castle to hear the group perform, filling all the way back to Main Street.
At the time, the group was a local gospel ensemble known as Re’Generation. When their Christmas album started to garner national attention, Disney asked the group to perform holiday songs in Magic Kingdom throughout the month of December. Ten years later, as EPCOT was opening, Re’Generation was asked to permanently rebrand as Voices of Liberty in the American Adventure Pavilion in the new park.
The first Voices of Liberty ensemble consisted of 16 members. Later, the group doubled in size to 32, and the base number has fluctuated over time. Hundreds of singers have auditioned and joined the cast of Voices of Liberty over the years.
Some alumni from Voices of Liberty have created albums over the years, including musical group Voctave. This group has produced several albums of a cappella music from Disney Parks and films, as well as a cappella holiday music.
Will you be adding a stop into the American Adventure Pavilion to catch Voices of Liberty in their Dickens Carolers costumes this holiday season? Let us know in the comments.
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