2019 Holiday program schedule on P.R.E. Classical
Wednesday, December 18th at 3pm
A Chanticleer Christmas
Celebrate the season with song! Brian Newhouse hosts this one-hour program of a cappella holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man choral ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices." APM
Thursday, December 19th at 3pm
All is Bright: Contemplative Music for Christmas
Lynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs. APM
Friday, December 20th at 3pm
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin
Winter holidays are celebrated around the world, and their music is wonderful to hear, regardless of which tradition you observe. Bill’s spirited selection starts in the 12th century with Nova Stella, medieval Italian Christmas music from Saint Francis of Assisi’s staging of the nativity; jazz pianist Dave Brubeck and more. WFTM
Saturday, December 21st at 7pm
Dee Alexander: Jazz at Christmastime
Recorded live at Chicago’s Jazz Showcase! With support from the WFMT Radio Network Jazz Network’s own Dave Schwan and longtime collaborators pianist Vijay Tellis-Nayak, bassist Junius Paul, guitarist John McLean, and drummer Rick Heath. The performance includes holiday favorites “Winter Wonderland”, “Little Drummer Boy”, “I’ll Be Home for Christmas”, alongside gems first recorded by Miriam Makeba and John Lennon. WFMT
Sunday, December 22nd at 1pm
Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of artistry, with arrangements of familiar carols, and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics. Julie Amacher hosts. Audiences will enjoy a warm, nostalgic holiday celebration featuring a choir of 360 voices, a 150-piece orchestra at Temple Square, the 32-member Bells on Temple Square, along with other artists and special guests. A 600-person cast will share a stunningly beautiful mix of carols in various unique arrangements. APM
Sunday, December 22nd at 5pm
Hanukkah Lights 2019
The NPR favorite returns with all new Hanukkah stories. Authors TBA. Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz. NPR
Monday, December 23rd at 12pm
Chanukah Celebration
Join Jonathan Miller, artistic director of Chicago a cappella and a longtime champion of Jewish choral music, for an inspiring and informative show featuring choral music set to Chanukah texts. Performed by Chicago a cappella, now in its 23rd season. Jonathan Miller provides liturgical and cultural background inside old and newer choral Chanukah traditions. WFMT
Monday, December 23rd at 2pm
Candles Burning Brightly
Mindy Ratner hosts this 2017 encore celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. "Candles Burning Brightly" explores the meaning and traditions of Chanukah, including holiday foods and Sephardic and Ashkenazi music. APM
Tuesday, December 24th 10am till 12pm
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Live
An an extraordinary and memorable live service of word and music from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. Audiences will share in a live, world-wide Christmas Eve broadcast of a service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal music Michael Barone hosts. APM
Tuesday, December 24th at 3pm
Welcome Christmas!
Welcome Christmas! is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. John Birge hosts an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest. APM
Wednesday, December 25th 9am
Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges -- two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation -- get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This encore presentation features the best works of the last several years. It's a joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols. Korva Coleman hosts. NPR
Wednesday, December 25th 12pm till 2pm
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
This service in song and word has become one of the nation's most cherished holiday celebrations. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians in five choirs, and the St. Olaf Orchestra. Valerie Kahler hosts. APM
Wednesday, December 25th at 2pm
An Afro Blue Christmas
A special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Hear the group perform a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. The celebration includes new compositions. Hosted by Michele Norris. NPR
Wednesday, December 25th 3pm
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul’s church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season. Hosted by Cathy Fuller of WGBH. Presented by NPR Music.
Wednesday, December 25th at 8pm
Joy To The World – A Holiday in Pink
The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee. Hosted by All Things Considered’s Ari Shapiro. NPR
Thursday, December 26th at 3pm
Hygge Holiday: Cozy Classics
Join host Elena See as she plays a a mix of wintry and nostalgic classical pieces designed to accompany listeners as they enjoy cozy wintertime activities. APM
Thursday, January 1st 11am till 1pm
New! New Year's Day from Vienna 2020
The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever popular annual New Year's Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. You'll hear your favorite waltzes, polkas and more -- a great way to start off the New Year. NPR