Whether one has performed with a professional choir, is a casual singer or has never sang in a public setting, all Rogue Valley community members are invited to participate in Rogue World Music’s Wassailing program.

In a partnership with the Ashland School of Uncovering the Voice, the Wassailing program involves five rehearsals in October and throughout November to practice winter, Christmas, New Year’s and traditional Wassailing songs with the goal of preparing for multiple public performances in the coming months.

“The Wassailing program supports folks to have more confidence using their voices; it’s not about perfection and more about feeling empowered,” said Ana Byers, executive director of Rogue World Music.

The free program not only invites people of all vocal skill levels, but also of all ages to participate, with families encouraged to bring the whole crew to sing together.

Wassailing rehearsals are scheduled from 2 to 4 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 26-Nov. 23.

The location of the rehearsals has yet to be determined, but interested parties can get updates at rogueworldmusic.org.

Ruth Hoffecker, teacher at the Ashland School of Uncovering the Voice, will lead each of the five rehearsals.

The program has had a decent draw in prior years, with last year’s rehearsals consistently bringing in approximately 40 singers each time.

The attendance of singers for public performances is even higher, according to organizers.

“When it came time to do Wassailing in the community, we had like 60 people show up to do it and with a huge range of ages; a lot of parents with children or grandparents with children,” Byers said.

The action of Wassailing holds a deep history in many parts of the world.

“It’s connected to ancient traditions throughout Europe and the Middle East and even into other areas,” Byers said.

The tradition of Wassailing falls under two categories of visiting orchards or visiting homes. The orchard-visiting wassail involves the custom of singing to the trees to promote a good harvest while the house-visiting wassail is a custom of visiting neighbors’ doors, singing and offering a drink from a wassail bowl — typically full of mulled cider, spices, wine and other ingredients — to neighbors in exchange for gifts.

Wassailing is seen as the ancient predecessor to the modern act of Christmas caroling.

“It’s magical though, to get together to sing with people and have fun,” Byers said.

The community building involved in Wassailing is another motivator for Byers and others at Rogue World Music.

“It’s such a quick route into building community and connecting with people, and with Rogue World Music, one of our basic tenants is highlighting cultural traditions around world,” she said.

Wassailing is “a way to interact, engage, celebrate … and there aren’t that many opportunities for people to get together informally and sing; it’s almost like karaoke.”

After rehearsing, the singers can take part in public community performances such as during Ashland’s Festival of Light after the Thanksgiving parade and at local farms.

“It’s a really low-stakes, high-reward situation and a perfect opportunity to try out something new,” Byers said.

Rogue World Music manages multiple programs throughout the year as well as its annual Rogue World Music Festival in May.

To check out upcoming Rogue World Music events, visit rogueworldmusic.org/events.