Special Holiday Programs for 2021 on PRE
Every Good Thing
Wednesday, November 24th
3pm - 4pm
On Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take some time to give thanks and celebrate one of life's most meaningful gifts: music. It's "Every Good Thing" — an hour of stories and music to celebrate Thanksgiving.
Giving Thanks
Wednesday, November 24th
7pm - 9pm
With music and stories for Thanksgiving, host John Birge creates a thoughtful, contemporary reflection on the meaning of the holiday. Between the music, no clichés about pilgrims and pumpkin pies. Instead, it's a contemporary celebration of the spirit of Gratitude. Whether in the kitchen, on the road, or relaxing after the feast, Giving Thanks provides the perfect atmosphere for Thanksgiving: the warmth of great music, and truly memorable words.
Candles Burning Brightly
Sunday, November 28th
6pm - 7pm
An enlightening one-hour celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. Mindy Ratner hosts this holiday favorite and exploration of Chanukah foods and traditional activities – and plenty of music.
A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella
Monday, November 29th
7pm – 8pm
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. Heartfelt original compositions by American and British composers provide added depth of expression to celebrating the holiday. Jonathan Miller provides liturgical and cultural background as part of this unique look inside old and newer choral Chanukah traditions.
Messiah with Craven Messiah Chorus
Monday, December 6th
7pm - 9pm
A revisited local production of Handel's Messiah from December 11, 2017, in New Bern, NC. The Craven Messiah Chorus has canceled its live performance this year due to the pandemic, and P.R.E. presents this broadcast of its 35th Season performance, recorded live at Centenary United Methodist Church, on the date and at the hour the live production would have occurred. Featuring an interview with conductor James Ogle, with local program host Finley Woolston.
Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season
Thursday, December 9th
7pm – 8pm
Sara Schneider, host of Early Music Now, presents Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season, with joyful and contemplative sounds of the season. Hear Byzantine chant by Kassiani, and selections from Missa Puer natus est nobis by Thomas Tallis, plus hymns and motets from Spain, Germany, and France. Performers include The Cardinall’s Musick, Theatre of Voices, Cappella Romana, and Oltremontano.
Christmas with Madrigalia
Monday, December 13th
7pm- 8pm
Christmas with Madrigalia celebrates the excitement and joy of the holiday season with traditional carols and anthems from the Medieval era through the 21st century. This program, recorded live in concert, features music by Michael Praetorius, Andreas Hammerschmidt, Ola Gjeilo, Alice Parker, and Craig Hella Johnson, along with a number of Cary Ratcliff’s own arrangements.
Apollo’s Fire Presents Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain
Wednesday, December 15th
3pm – 4pm
This Irish-Appalachian Celebration highlights the American immigrant experience, sharing the spirit and history of Appalachia’s Irish and Scottish roots through music. The 35-member ensemble includes 10 children and brings a joyous concert experience with the warmth of period instruments. Fiddlers, medieval harp, hammered dulcimer, bagpipes, singers, and children’s voices join together to evoke the Celtic roots of an Appalachian holiday.
Music of the Baroque: Brass and Choral Holiday Concert
Thursday, December 16th
7pm – 9pm
Drawn from diverse cultures and various points in history, conductor William Jon Gray has assembled a program highlighting holiday traditions around a single unifying principle: whether in the twelfth or nineteenth centuries, in Germany, Italy, Mexico, Russia, the Netherlands, or Spain, music gives voice to the spirit of the season. Music of the Baroque is comprised of approximately 60 professional musicians who individually perform around the world and come together in Chicago as a collective. Hosted by Candice Agree, featuring works of composers Samuel Scheidt, Giovanni Gabrieli, William Billings, Claudio Monteverdi, and more.
The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays
Friday, December 17th
7pm – 8pm
An hour-long special devoted to holiday and wintertime movie music. In addition to beloved standards (“White Christmas” from “Holiday Inn” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”), host Michael Phillips shares an eclectic mix of wintry film scores. Bundle up and enjoy!
All Is Bright
Monday, December 20th
7pm – 8pm
One hour of gorgeous, contemplative music related to the Christmas season and its symbolism. Hosted by Lynne Warfel, this program uses sacred choral music grouped to tell the traditional Christmas story by way of songs about angels, the star, and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cambridge Singers, Cantus, and Chanticleer.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Thursday, December 23th
7pm - 8pm
This unique, one-hour program of holiday music is presented live in concert by Chanticleer. Hear why this superb 12-man ensemble is known as "an orchestra of voices," as they perform holiday classics and new favorites, with choral commentary by host Steve Staruch.
A Festival of 9 Lessons
Friday, December 24th
10am - 12pm
Michael Barone presents this service of spoken-word and music (choral and organ) broadcast from the chapel of King's College in Cambridge, England. The 30-voice King's College Choir performs the legendary Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of Biblical readings and music.
Welcome Christmas
Friday, December 24th
7pm – 8pm
The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.
A Soulful Christmas
Friday, December 24th
8pm – 9pm
A Soulful Christmas is an uplifting, relevant display of Black music in the classical, gospel, spiritual, and jazz-inspired style. This special celebrates the non-idiomatic Black classical music, while exploring non-idiomatic choral traditions.
Messiah with Craven Messiah Chorus
Saturday, December 25th
6pm - 8pm
A revisited local production of Handel's Messiah from December 11, 2017, in New Bern, NC. The Craven Messiah Chorus presents a broadcast of its 35th Season performance, recorded live at Centenary United Methodist Church. Featuring an interview with conductor James Ogle, with local program host Finley Woolston.