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Christmas Programming 2020

Christmas Eve

10AM- A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

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.

Noon- A Baroque Noel with Pegasus Early Music

Celebrate the holiday season with 17th century flair with A Baroque Noel. Join Rochester’s Pegasus Early Music for seasonal baroque gems brought to life by a full Baroque choir and orchestra. The one-hour program, hosted by WXXI’s Mona Seghatoleslami, features Marc-Antoine Charpentier's Messe de Minuit pour Noel. Acclaimed lutenist Paul O'Dette leads an ensemble of sought-after musicians from across the country in this grand Christmas mass that quotes many popular Christmas carols of the 1600s. The program is rounded out with virtuosic concertos for oboe and mandolin by Vivaldi, as well as French Christmas carols. Now in its 16th season, Pegasus presents over 400 years of music – from medieval to romantic – played on period instruments. Pegasus Early Music delivers music of the past with expressive relevance today. Since its creation in 2005, Pegasus has collaborated with the Eastman School of Music, Nazareth College, the Memorial Art Gallery, the Rochester City Ballet, and NYS Baroque

1PM- 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.

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’s classical composition La Fiesta de la Posada, evoking a Mexican Christmas celebration; and Vaughan Williams’ Fantasia on Christmas Carols. We will enjoy this time of year in Paris with music from Debussy, and then travel to Polynesia for a traditional hymn, Anau Oia Ea. And then ending with an excerpt from Gian Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors from the original television production. Turn on your radio, pour a cup of tea, cozy up to a warm fire, and enjoy the music!

4PM- 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.

5PM- A Rochester Festival of Lessons and Carols 2020

Peter Dubois, host of With Heart and Voice hosts this program recorded at Third Presbyterian Church in Rochester, New York.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day

11AM- "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.

Noon- Apollo's Fire presents Christmas on Sugarloaf Mountain: An Irish-Appalachian Celebration

The latest holiday program from GRAMMY®-award winners Jeannette Sorrell and Apollo’s Fire is a communal celebration of 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. In this one-hour special, the listener is transported from Christmas Eve in medieval Scotland to the folk carols and shape‐note hymns at a toe‐tapping Christmas gathering in Virginia. The people of the Appalachian Mountains welcome Christmas with LOVE, SINGING, DANCING, and PRAYER.

1PM- A Soulful Christmas

Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu host this uplifting Christmas special that features Black music and composers. A Soulful Christmas celebrates classical music by Black artists, while exploring Spirituals, Gospel Music, Jazz and other Black musical traditions.

2PM Handel's Messiah with the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra

This live broadcast, originally recorded on December 22, 2019 at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, NJ, features up-and-coming conductor Roderick Cox leading the New Jersey Symphony Orchestra and a stellar lineup of soloists in Handel’s iconic oratorio.

Chris Ranck is Delmarva Public Media's Executive Producer, Program Director and Automation Engineer.