2022 Holiday Programming

Holiday Programming

2021 Holiday SeasonJoin WWFM as we present a variety of musical specials for the holidays.Friday Dec. 176 pm - B&K Holiday SpecialBill McGlaughlin (host of Exploring Music) and Karrin Allyson bring a cozy hour of holiday music and conversation.8 pm – An Evening of Readings and Carols - Westminster Choir CollegeEnjoy this year's joyful return to Princeton University Chapel of this cherished holiday tradition. Seven choirs and soprano Laquita Mitchell perform.10 pm –Millennium of Music: A German ChristmasMusic from the late sixteenth and early seventeenth century featuring the Saxony Vocal Ensemble and the Schola Heidelberg.Saturday Dec. 181 pm – Listener Request HourToday's Request Hour features Menotti's Amahl and the Night Visitors.6 pm – Picture Perfect with Ross Amico: TV Christmas SpecialsEnjoy classic favorites from TV Christmas specials including music from “The Snowman” (Howard Blake), “The Homecoming” (Jerry Goldsmith), “A Christmas Carol” (Bernard Herrmann), and “A Charlie Brown Christmas” (Vince Guaraldi). 7 pm – A Tempo with Rachel KatzHost Rachel Katz wraps up her series exploring how choral ensembles are returning to the stage for the holiday season with performances including Messiah sing-ins and other traditionalholiday favorites. This week features an interview with Malcolm Merriweather, music director of The Dessoff Choirs, which will present a concert featuring Margaret Bonds' The Ballad of the Brown King on Dec. 19.Sunday Dec. 191 pm – With Heart and VoiceChoral and orchestral works celebrating the Fourth week of Advent and Christmas.2 pm – Sounds ChoralHost Ryan Brandau, Music Director of Princeton Pro Musica and Monmouth Civic Chorus, shares some of his holiday favorites, including motets, carols and Bonds' The Ballad of the Brown King.3 pm – The Sunday Opera with Michael KownackyThe Pulitzer Prize-winning opera "Silent Night" by Kevin Puts, inspired by the tragic, short-lived peace during WWI. Following the opera, stay tuned for more music for the season.7 pm – The Dress Circle with Ted Otten and Michael KownackyAn hour of holiday memories with songs from "Hans Brinker or The Silver Skates", "The Gift of the Magi," and "The Stingiest Man in Town," as well as a performance of Clement Moore's "A Visit from St. Nicholas" by Lionel Barrymore.10 pm – The Lost Chord with Ross Amico: Christmas RosesA Christmas bouquet featuring Hugo Distler's “Die Weihnachtsgeschichte” (“The Christmas Story”), an otherworldly, a cappella masterpiece punctuated by seven variations on the carol “Es ist ein Ros entsprungen” (“Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming”), and Emil Waldteufel’s waltz, “Roses de Noël.”Monday Dec. 2011 am – Pipedreams with Michael BaroneAn American Organist's Christmas featuring holiday music in performances featuring performers, composers and organ builders in the U.S. Wednesday Dec. 22, 20218 pm – The New York Philharmonic This WeekA Winter Holiday Jukebox, featuring a mix of holiday songs to celebrate the season.Thursday Dec. 23, 202112 pm – A Soulful ChristmasThis program presents 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. (From American Public Media)Friday Dec. 24 - Christmas Eve10 am – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College Cambridge (From American Public Media)2 pm – A Chanticleer Christmas - 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 Steve Staruch. (From American Public Media)6 pm – The Princeton Singers - "A Christmas Carol"Join The Princeton Singers and actor Christopher Coucill for Charles Dickens' classic "A Christmas Carol."8 pm – The Princeton SingersDr. Steven Sametz directs The Princeton Singers in this concert entitled "What Sweeter Music."10 pm – St. Olaf Christmas FestivalA service in song and word that 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. (From American Public Media)Saturday Dec. 25 - Christmas Day8 am – Festival Service of Christmas Lessons & Carols from Trinity Church Princeton12 pm - Welcome Christmas with VocalEssenceAn hour of traditional carols and new discoveries with VocalEssence, one of the world's premiere choral groups.1 pm - Christmas Request HourDavid Osenberg hosts this special two-hour edition of our Saturday Listener Request program, sharing Christmas and holiday requests that have come in from listeners.3 pm – Westminster Choir College Readings and CarolsEnjoy this year's joyful return to Princeton University Chapel of this cherished holiday tradition. Seven choirs and soprano Laquita Mitchell perform.5 pm – Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple SquareThe Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of great artistry with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and surprises with lesser-known melodies that will surely become new classics.6 pm - Picture Perfect with Ross AmicoMusic from some of the most beloved holiday movies, including "A Christmas Carol," "Miracle on 34th Street," and "Home Alone."7:30 pm – Inside Music with George Marriner MaullHallelujah! - Part 2.8 pm – Bach Choir of BethlehemThe choir performs JS Bach's Christmas Oratorio.10 pm – A Chanticleer Christmas (Rebroadcast)Sunday Dec. 2611 am - All is Bright: Contemplative Music for ChristmasLynne Warfel hosts an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angles, the star and the manger scene.3 pm - Sunday OperaJoin us for a charming fantasy for the holiday with Hans Pfitzner’s “Das Christ-Elflein.” 7 pm – The Dress Circle with Ted Otten and Michael KownackyAn hour of holiday memories, part 2, including a 1953 radio production of Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” featuring Sir Laurence Olivier.Saturday Jan. 1, 202110 am – New Year's from ViennaWelcome 2022 with this annual broadcast from the Vienna Philharmonic, conducted by Daniel Barenboim.

2017 Holiday Season Specials

WWFM The Classical Network

Published January 2, 2018 at 12:00 AM EST

Every year, WWFM The Classical Network is pleased to bring you a variety of holiday specials, including many that feature our musical partners. We hope that these special programs have become a part of your annual holiday tradition and wish you a joyous and bright holiday season. (We will update this list as new specials are scheduled).

Please support our hosts' efforts by becoming a member today.

Saturday Dec. 16
1 pm – Candles Burning Brightly (American Public Media). Mindy Ratner hosts a new edition of this holiday favorite, in celebration of Chanukah, the Jewish Festival of Lights. "Candles Burning Brightly" explores Chanukah foods and traditional activities - and plenty of music.

7 pm - A Tempo: Join A Tempo host Rachel Katz as she goes behind the scenes at this year’s Readings and Carols from Westminster Choir College.

8 pm - Handel’s Messiah from the New York Philharmonic, with the Westminster Symphonic Choir.

Sunday Dec. 17
2 pm – Sounds Choral: The first of a two-week series with host Ryan James Brandau surveying JS Bach’s works for the Christmas season.

7 pm – The Dress Circle: Television and television specials have played a large part of our various holiday traditions growing up, and hosts Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky look at a few of those in this program exploring original holiday musicals for television.

Monday Dec. 18
8 pm: Celebrating Our Musical Future. Westminster Choir College’s 25^th Anniversary “An Evening of Readings and Carols.” David Osenberg hosts.

Tuesday Dec. 19
12 noon: Noontime Concert - Christmas with the Princeton University Chapel Choir.

Thursday Dec. 21
12 Noon: Noontime Concert - A rebroadcast of the Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker Suite arranged for organ performed by Eric Plutz, Princeton University Organist.

Friday Dec. 22
6 pm - Picture Perfect with Ross Amico: "A Literary Christmas" - Selections from "O. Henry's Full House" (Alfred Newman), "Little Women" (Thomas Newman), "Ben-Hur" (Miklos Rozsa), and "A Christmas Carol" (Richard Addinsell).

8 pm - A St. Olaf Christmas Festival (from American Public Media): Enjoy the sights and sounds of Christmas with the world-renowned St. Olaf Choir. 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 students in five choirs along with the St. Olaf Orchestra. Alison Young hosts. (Rebroadcast Monday Dec. 25 at 8 pm)

10 pm - Distant Mirror with Allan Kelly: Enjoy a Medieval-Renaissance Christmas featuring performances by New York Polyphony, Celtic Christmas with La Nef and the Apollo Singers, the Martin Best Ensemble, and Anonymous 4.

Saturday Dec. 23
6 pm– Advent Voices (from American Public Media): Host Lynne Warfel presents an hour of gorgeous, contemplative music related to the Advent season, the Christmas Story and its symbolism (from American Public Media)

Sunday Dec. 24
10 am – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from King's College, Cambridge, England (from American Public Media): Enjoy the cherished Christmas Eve service with the King's College Choir, live from England! One of the longest running radio programs, this holiday special is heard by millions of listeners worldwide.

2 pm - Sounds Choral: In this second of two parts, host Ryan James Brandau surveys JS Bach’s works for the Christmas season.

3 pm - Sunday Opera: Two Christmas-themed operas and some additional music, will be featured this week on the Sunday Opera. The first is Hans Pfitzner's charming fantasy entitled "Das Christ-Elfein" about a wood elf who travels with the Christ Child in order to find out more about humans and the celebration of Christmas. The second work is a setting of "The Gift of the Magi" by David Conte and Nicholas Giardini. Michael Kownacky hosts.

7 pm - The Dress Circle with Ted Otten and Michael Kownacky: Favorite holiday moments from musicals, including "The Gift of the Magi" by Peter Ekstrom and "Scrooge" by Leslie Bricusse.

8 pm – Bach Choir of Bethlehem: A Child’s Christmas in Bethlehem - Join us for this annual holiday concert conducted by Greg Funfgeld, also featuring bass-baritone David Newman and the Bel Canto Children's Chorus of the Bach Choir of Bethlehem in a festive program of Christmas Carols, and A Child's Christmas in Bethlehem, music compiled by Maestro Funfgeld with spoken word compiled by Bridget George and directed by Jennie Gilrain. Alice Weiss hosts.

10 pm - The Lost Chord with Ross Amico: "A Play in the Manger" - Music for the Nativity by Sir Hubert Parry and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

11 pm - A Chanticleer Christmas (from American Public Media): This unique 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 Brian Newhouse (Rebroadcast Monday at 2 pm)

Monday Dec. 25

8 am – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols from Trinity Church, Princeton, Thomas Whittemore, Music Director. David Osenberg hosts.

1 pm - Welcome Christmas with VocalEssence (from American Public Media): Welcome Christmas is a perennial favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles. Join host John Birge for traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of two carols from the annual Christmas Carol Contest.

2 pm - A Chanticleer Christmas (from American Public Media): This unique 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 Brian Newhouse.

3 pm - Westminster Choir College’s 25^th Anniversary “An Evening of Readings and Carols.” David Osenberg hosts.

6 pm - Christmas with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir (from American Public Media): The world-renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of artistry this holiday season with touching arrangements of familiar carols and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics. Julie Amacher hosts.

7 pm - A Leroy Anderson Christmas (from the WFMT Radio Network): This program features classic Christmas arrangements of original music by Leroy Anderson, with host Leonard Slatkin also conducting the BBC Concert Orchestra and Leroy Anderson conducting his "pops" Concert Orchestra. You'll also hear Leroy Anderson himself talking about how he wrote some of his famous Christmas music and what Christmas means to him.

10 pm - In Italia: A Renaissance Christmas from Venice, Naples, Milan, and Beyond (from Public Radio International): In the sixteenth century, the splendor of the Renaissance blossomed across Italy as a new Holy Roman Empire stretched its wings from the Urals to the Atlantic. This holiday special brings you wonderful sixteenth-century Christmas music from Italy. The program is directed by Dr. Dana Marsh and Wendy Gillespie of the Historical Performance Institute of the Jacobs School of Music, Indiana University, with some of Aerican's most outstanding young voices and players specializing in early music.

Monday January 1
11 am - New Year's Day from Vienna 2018 (from National Public Radio): Join us for the beloved, annual concert to usher in the New Year! The Vienna Philharmonic, under the direction of Ricardo Muti, is heard in a festive program of waltzes, marches and polkas from the famous Strauss Family and others.