Welcome Christmas
Sunday, 6 a.m.-7 a.m.
The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.
A Sunday Baroque Christmas
Sunday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
"A Sunday Baroque Christmas" offers connections to long ago holiday cheer, including many beloved Christmas carols dating back to the Baroque era and earlier. The special also includes Christmas concertos. Composed by Baroque era musicians for their towns’ Christmas Eve celebrations, these cheerful instrumentals evoke the symbols of the holiday. Throughout the ages, musicians have found inspiration in the arrival of the Winter Solstice. Sunday Baroque will further spice up the holiday with an appealing mix of the familiar and the new that is reflective of the roots of the season.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Sunday, 2 p.m.-3 p.m.
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event at St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minn., are always gone months in advance. 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.
A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, 3 p.m.-4 p.m.
One of the most beloved traditions of the holiday season is the Festival of Lessons and Carols, a service made famous at King’s College in Cambridge, England. This Christmas, treat your listeners to A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols! The one-hour program will consist of the traditional readings that were selected by King’s College Dean Eric Milner White in 1918, and music by Boris Ord. Mack Wilberg, C V Stanford, John Rutter, and Philip Stopford.
Festivo AltLatino
Sunday, 5 p.m.-6 p.m.
NPR Music’s Alt.Latino presents a 2015 encore featuring songwriter/performer Gaby Moreno and her band performing tracks from her popular holiday album Posada - recorded live at the KUT studios in Austin, Texas. She was joined by special guests Gina Chavez and Chicano Zen bandleader and record producer Michael Ramos.
Jazz Night In America: A Holiday Celebration
Sunday, 6 p.m.-7p.m.
Jazz Night in America brings you holiday classics from their past five seasons – featuring fresh arrangements and entertaining storytelling recorded live from Rose Theater in New York City. You'll hear the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, plus special guest vocalists Catherine Russell and Kenny Washington. Christian McBride hosts.
A Soulful Christmas
Sunday, 7 p.m.-8 p.m.
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. Guests will include: D’Walla Simmons-Burke, director of Choral Activities at Winston-Salem State University; Jason Max Ferdinand, conductor, ‘The Aeolians’; Dr. David Morrow, director of Choral Activities at Morehouse College; Dr. Tony McNeil, director of Choral Activities at Clinton College; Dr. Brittany Boykin, assistant professor of music at Georgia Tech.
An Afro Blue Christmas
Sunday, 8 p.m.-9 p.m.
Here's a very special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. The a-cappela group performs a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. The joyous celebration includes one of a kind arrangements on traditional holiday songs plus new compositions - music perfect for the holidays and the spirit of Christmas. Hosted by Michele Norris.
Jazz Piano Christmas 38
Sunday, 9 p.m.-10 p.m.
Check out your favorite holiday classics as you’ve never heard them! This year, our annual sell-out event spotlights ferociously talented Japanese musical phenom Hiromi, Mountain Stage’s Bob Thompson, and Bolivian prodigy José André Montaño, chosen as one of the Kennedy Center’s “Next 50” leaders.
Sounds of the Season: Holiday Jazz from KSDS
Sunday, Midnight- 6 a.m.; Sunday 10 p.m.-Midnight
KSDS presents jazz from swing-era recordings by Count Basie and Duke Ellington to recent releases by Bill Cunliffe and Straight No Chaser.