In addition to wonderful music for the Christmas season from the WHRO FM library, we are happy to bring you a number of special programs again this year.

The beloved Christmas Eve Festival of Lessons and Carols will be broadcast on Sunday, December 24 at 10 a.m., live from King’s College, Cambridge in England, where the tradition began a century ago. This year, WHRO FM will also offer an encore broadcast at 5 p.m. on Christmas Day.

Here are some other highlights for the coming week:

Tuesday, December 19:

Noon – A Mexican Baroque Christmas with the Rose Ensemble

9 PM – Christmastime in New York with The Cathedral Choir of St. John the Divine

Wednesday, December 20:

 Noon – Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from American Public Media

The world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of great artistry this holiday season, with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics. Julie Amacher hosts this annual favorite.

9 PM – And Glory Shone Around: An Early-American Christmas with the Rose Ensemble

Thursday, December 21:

Noon – Welcome Christmas! from American Public Media

New for 2017, "Welcome Christmas!" is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles. Join host John Birge for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest.

9 PM – The Christmas Revels: A Winter Solstice Celebration

Friday, December 22:    

Noon – A Chanticleer Christmas from American Public Media

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 Brian Newhouse.

                9 PM – La Nochebuena: A Spanish Renaissance Christmas with the Rose Ensemble

Saturday, December 23:

                6 AM –Harmonia: A Baroque Christmas in the New World

Harmonia celebrates the holiday season with music from 17th- and 18th-century Mexico, Peru and Bolivia, including a cantata and three free-standing works by colonial Mexican composer Manuel de Sumaya, most of which come from the only surviving full-score manuscript in Sumaya's own hand.

                11 AM – Advent at St Paul’s

                Noon  – An Operavore Christmas

Enjoy an hour of Christmas and holiday pieces sung by opera stars like Marilyn Horne, Bryn Terfel, Joan Sutherland and more.

                 1 PM – 4:30 PM – Mozart, Le Nozze di Figaro (live Metropolitan Opera broadcast)

                11 PM – Harmonia: A Baroque Christmas in the New World

Sunday, December 24:

                10 AM – Noon – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (live broadcast)

Pipedreams host Michael Barone presents this live 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.

                1 PM – 3 PM – St. Olaf Christmas Festival from American Public Media

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. SymphonyCast host Alison Young shares the sights and sounds of this choral favorite.

                4 PM  – Holiday Brass broadcast concert from the Virginia Symphony Orchestra 

                10 PM – Midnight – St. Olaf Christmas Festival


Monday, December 25:

As always, WHRO FM will offer joyous and beautiful music for your Christmas celebrations throughout the day.

Here are a few highlights:

8 AM – Welcome Christmas! from American Public Media

10 AM – Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir from American Public Media

1 PM – A Chanticleer Christmas from American Public Media

5 PM – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King’s College, Cambridge (encore broadcast)

 

Tune in to WHRO 90.3 FM, or listen online. 

*Program times may be subject to change.