GPB's 2009 Holiday Programming
Television Specials | Radio Specials
Radio Programming
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – Thursday, 12/24, 10am-12pm
Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a live, two-hour stereo music and spoken-word 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.
Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs - Thursday, 12/24, Noon-1pm
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Atlanta’s 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.
A Carolina Christmas from Biltmore Estate, with Kathy Mattea – Thursday, 12/24, 1-2pm
A Carolina Christmas is a festive celebration of the Appalachian folk traditions and other styles native to the Carolinas. Center stage will be two-time female vocalist of the year Kathy Mattea singing fresh arrangements from her acclaimed holiday albums, the Grammy award-winning Good News as well as Joy for Christmas Day. Joining Kathy Mattea will be the Carolinas’ premiere choral ensemble, VOX, as well as Baroque/Celtic trio The Beggar Boys. You’ll hear African-American spirituals, folk favorites, Celtic jigs, and even the Biltmore’s renowned 1916 E.M. Skinner organ in fresh, evocative performances of music for the season. Hosted by Jennifer Foster.
Jonathan Winters’ “A Christmas Carol” – Thursday, 12/24, 7-8pm
An updated version of a public radio tradition hosted by NPR’s Lisa Simeone. Master comedian Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of Dickens’ holiday classic, with a special performing edition prepared by Dickens for his own presentations. Also featuring Mimi Kennedy.
Tinsel Tales: NPR Christmas Favorites – Thursday, 12/24, 8-9pm
This program features stories from the NPR archives that touch on the meaning of Christmas. David Sedaris, Bailey White, John Henry Faulk – these and other NPR voices, past and present, tell stories of the season. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
Choirs & Carols: An NPR Christmas – Thursday, 12/24, 9 - 10pm
Hear musicians from around the world in NPR’s performance studio as they share special holiday moments. Join host Lisa Simeone for ancient harmonies from Trio Medieval, traditional carols from the Riga Dom Boys Choir, and a rarely heard Christmas song by Sibelius, straight from Finland’s YL Choir. The Pittsburgh Brass unpacks a pair of 500-pound bells to ring in the holiday, and the members of Trio Voronezh tune up a balalaika or two.
Christmas Around the Country - Thursday, 12/24, 10 – 11pm
The best of classical holiday music from coast to coast. NPR takes you from churches to concert halls to auditoriums to town halls all across the nation in search of performances that express the best of the holiday season. Lisa Simeone hosts.
A Harpist’s Christmas with Yolanda Kondonassis – Thursday, 12/24, 11pm-Midnight
America’s premiere harpist, Yolanda Kondonassis, celebrates the season with treasures of Christmas music for the harp. Kondonassis specially created this program for American Public Media listeners, spotlighting her heavenly instrument both as a soloist as well as with the accompaniment of Joshua Smith on flute and Cynthia Phelps on viola.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival – Friday, 12/25, 11am-1pm
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the live event, which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN, are always gone months in advance. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity and featuring more than 500 student musicians who are members of five choirs and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
A Chanticleer Christmas – Friday, 12/25, 1-2pm
America’s finest male chorus celebrates the mystery and wonder of Christmas with an elegant blend of traditional and best-loved Christmas songs from Gregorian chant to Gospel.. This San Francisco-based chorus is recognized worldwide for its brilliant technique and musicality.
Jazz Piano Christmas XX – Friday, 12/25, 7-8pm
On this ever-popular program we’ll hear solo performances and duo combos playing original interpretations of our favorite holiday classics. Artists include Dr. Billy Taylor, Ramsey Lewis, Patricia Barber, Eldar, and Robert Glasper. Felix Contreas hosts.
A Paul Winter Solstice Concert – Friday, 12/25, 8-10pm
The holiday tradition continues with Paul Winter’s Winter Solstice Celebration. A dynamic musical celebration in the extraordinary acoustics of the world’s largest Gothic cathedral – New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine—highlights the music of the Winter Consort with Gospel singer Theresa Thomason, Brazilian singer/guitarist Renato Braz, and woodwind master Paul McCandless. John Schaefer hosts the production from Living Music and Murray Street.
Welcome Christmas! – Friday, 12/25, 10 to 11pm
This lively musical program is a perennial broadcast favorite featuring the Minneapolis-based ensemble, VocalEssence. Recognized internationally as one of America’s premier choral arts organizations, VocalEssence is led by the visionary Philip Brunelle.
Echoes of Christmas – Friday, 12/25, 11pm to Midnight
For more than 30 years, The Dale Warland Singers provided magical performances to listeners across the country, gaining acclaim as America’s premier choir. The ensemble’s signature holiday concert—beloved by public radio listeners nationwide—was the annual Echoes of Christmas program. Drawing upon the group’s archive of live performances, Dale Warland together with host Brian Newhouse create a very special musical treat: a collection of the best and most moving choral classics celebrating Christmas.
Toast of the Nation – Thursday, 12/31, 8pm to Friday, 1/1, 5am
Count down to 2010 this New Year’s Eve with live jazz on Toast of the Nation. Party with live music from coast to coast and celebrate the New Year with four midnights!
New Year’s Day from Vienna – Friday, 1/1, 11am to 1pm
Join us on New Year’s Day 2010 for a sparkling celebration, live from the Golden Hall at the Musikverein in Vienna. The Vienna Philharmonic presents its annual New Year’s Day from Vienna, including your favorite waltzes and polkas, and so much more.
Television Programming
National Christmas Tree Lighting - Wednesday, 12/16, 7pm
Celebrate the season with an annual tradition in our nation’s capital.
Lights: Celebrate Hanukkah Live – Thursday, 12/17, 9pm
In celebration of the Jewish Festival of Lights. Craig Taubman hosts a musical extravaganza featuring the likes of the Grammy Award-winning Klezmatics; cantor/tenor Alberto Mizrahi; top-selling jazz artist Dave Koz; soulful and dynamic Joshua Nelson; Emmy Award-winning actress Mare Winningham; rising Star Michelle Citrin and others.
Georgia Traveler: Holiday Tour of Georgia – Friday, 12/18, 9pm
Check out some of Georgia’s most popular holiday attractions, including snow at Stone Mountain, the Nights of Lights at Lake Lanier Islands, the Pink Pig at Macy’s in Atlanta and Holiday Island and Jekyll and St. Simons Island.
Michael McDonald –This Christmas: A Soundstage Special Event - Friday, 12/18, 10pm
Singer Michael McDonald combines yuletide favorites such as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “White Christmas” with the Stevie Wonder Motown classic “What Christmas Means to Me” and some of his signature hits for a perfect blend of holiday cheer.
Christmas in Yellowstone: Nature, Sunday, 12/20, 8pm
From the unique crystals of individual snowflakes to the grand sweep of Yellowstone's Hayden Valley, this is a Christmas like no other.
Dance in America: San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker, Monday, 12/21, 9pm
San Francisco Ballet’s production of the beloved Nutcracker , reset during the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exhibition, introduces “Dance in America” viewers to the dazzling Maria Kochetkova and Davit Karapetyan. Olympic champion figure skater Kristi Yamaguchi hosts the broadcast.
A Renaissance Christmas: The 82nd Annual Morehouse- Spelman Christmas Carol, Thursday, 12/24, 7pm
Two of Atlanta’s most prestigious college performance ensembles come together for a spectacular holiday special.
Faith Hill, Joy to the World: A Soundstage Special Event - Thursday, 12/24, 8pm
Faith Hill, backed by an orchestra led by esteemed conductor David Campbell, sings favorites from her holiday album, Joy to the World.
Christmas at St. Olaf: Where Peace and Love and Hope Abide –Thursday, 12/24, 10pm
This Christmas special features the renowned choirs and orchestra of St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota.
