FRIDAY
8am – Christmas with the Morehouse & Spelman Glee Clubs
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of 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 year's program 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.
9am – An Afro Blue Christmas
Here's a very special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue, and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. The a-cappella 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.
10am – Festivo Altlatino with Cantigas
NPR Music's Alt.Latino presents the 2014 edition of Festivo Alt.Latino -- a special holiday concert featuring the 20 piece choral ensemble Choral Cantigas. This musical performance also includes stories about holiday traditions and cultures. Hear a traditional Peruvian Christmas carol, folk music from Brazil, Spain, and Mexico plus Parrandas from Venezuela and Puerto Rico. The many rich styles of Latino choral music will unite listeners through the joyful and trans-formative power of music. Hosted by Felix Contreras.
11am – Jazz Piano Christmas
NPR Music brings you another great concert from Kennedy Center. Kenny Barron, Fred Hersch, and Carmen Staaf perform their favorite holiday songs in a program hosted by Felix Contreras.
2pm – A Paul Winter’s 36th Annual Winter Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the return of the sun and the warming of the heart with Paul Winter's 2014 encore Winter Solstice Celebration. On the darkest night of the year, we head back to New York's Cathedral of St. John the Divine to hear The Paul Winter Consort and the glorious Cathedral Pipe Organ. The performance brings traditional holiday favorites and new sounds from around the world with special guests Ivan Lins and Renato Braz. Hosted by John Schaefer
SATURDAY
9am – 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.
5pm – Hanukkah Lights 2016
A perennial NPR favorite, Hanukkah Lights features all new Hanukkah stories. written by R.L. Maizes, Lia Pripstein, Elisa Albert, and Ellen Orleans. Read by hosts Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
6pm – Sounds Jewish “The Festival of Re-Dedication”
Chanukah, the festival of Rededication, is fast approaching. Tune in to the next “Sounds Jewish” for recordings from around the world about the heroic Judah Maccabee, latkes sizzling in the frying pan, spinning dreidels, and the glowing candles that have illuminated the world for nearly two millennia. Hear recordings by Peter, Paul and Mary, Matisyahu, Moishe Oysher, Flory Jagoda, Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Tom Lehrer, Adam Sandler, Woody Guthrie, the Frank London Big Band, Peter Himmelman and David Broza, Jo Amar, Laura Berkson, latke cook and grandmother Harriet Segal, and the cast of a 1953 “Chanuko” radio drama.
SUNDAY
8am – Saint Olaf Christmas Festival
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event - which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN - 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.
10am – A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Winters
A public radio tradition hosted by NPR's Susan Stamberg. 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.
