2018 Holiday Program Schedule
We have pulled some of the very best holiday programs available, some new and some classic, for our 2018 holiday program schedule for 2018. It is our hope that you enjoy these wonderful holiday offerings during this holiday season. If you have any questions regarding our holiday program schedule, please feel free to email Greg Hill. Happy Holidays from your public radio station WUOT!
Sunday, December 2nd
7 p.m. – Hanukkah Lights
A perennial NPR favorite with all new Hanukkah stories. Hosted by Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz.
Thursday, December 6th
8 p.m. – Candles Burning Brightly
Mindy Ratner hosts 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.
Sunday, December 9th
7 p.m. – Chanukah: In Story and Song
A Chanukah celebration by The Western Wind performing Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe and modern Israeli tunes. Hosted by Leonard Nimoy.
Tuesday, December 11th
8 p.m. – A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul’s church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group’s luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
9 p.m. – Carols and Cheer
Host Scott Blankenship reviews his favorite carols this holiday season. Audiences will love singing along as he shares his top picks for the Christmas season, performed by today's leading artists and ensembles.
Wednesday, December 12th
8 p.m. – Christmas with The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
The world-renowned Tabernacle Choir continues its tradition of great artistry this holiday season, with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics. Julie Amacher hosts this annual favorite.
9 p.m. – 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.
Thursday, December 13th
8 p.m. – Messiah with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra
Handel's much adored oratorio, Messiah, returns to Heinz Hall! Led by Music Director Manfred Honeck and featuring a cast of guest vocalists and the Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh, this work is a religious story of hope, inspiration and timeless expression.
Monday, December 17th
8 p.m. – Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol
An updated version of 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.
9 p.m. – Christmas with the Morehouse and 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 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.
Tuesday, December 18th
7 p.m. – An Afro Blue Christmas
Join us for a very special holiday concert with Howard University's premiere vocal ensemble Afro Blue and special guest pianist Cyrus Chestnut. Hear the a-cappela group perform 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.
8 p.m. – Knoxville Symphony Chamber Orchestra’s November 2018 Classical Christmas Concert
Performed in the Bijou Theatre.
10 p.m. – A Concierto Christmas Special
Frank Dominguez hosts a special holiday edition of the national bi-lingual program that features music by Spanish and Latin American composers and performers presented in English and in Spanish. The program features a broad range of sacred and seasonal selections, spanning from Renaissance Spain to the 20th century in South America and the U.S. Southwest.
Wednesday, December 19th
8 p.m. – Hollywood Holiday
Saturday Cinema host Lynne Warfel presents an hour-long musical retrospective of some of Hollywood's most cherished Christmas-themed movies.
9 p.m. – Welcome Christmas!
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.
Thursday, December 20th
7 p.m. – A Jazz Piano Christmas
Join the Kennedy Center and NPR Music for this annual holiday tradition highlighting jazz pianists and their favorite seasonal music. This year, Jason Moran will be joined by artists including Grammy® Lifetime Achievement Award recipient Booker T. Jones and James Francies, Felix Contreras hosts.
8 p.m. – 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. Host Valerie Kahler shares the sights and sounds of this choral favorite.
Friday, December 21st
10 p.m. – Paul Winter’s 31st Annual Winter Solstice Celebration
Celebrate the return of the sun with an encore performance recorded in the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. Musicians include gospel singer Theresa Thomason, multi-instrumentalist and singer Arto Tunçboyacıyan and double reed wizard Paul McCandless. Hear the American Performance Premiere of the Grammy-winning suite MIHO with The Paul Winter Consort: Eugene Friesen, Paul Sullivan, Eliot Wadopian, Jamey Haddad, Tim Brumfield and the thundering Cathedral Pipe Organ.
Saturday, December 22nd
8 p.m. – A Christmas Celtic Sojourn
Brian O'Donovan's "A Celtic Sojourn" has thrilled radio audiences for almost thirty years. For the last fifteen, the Christmas-themed live version of the show has drawn on Celtic, Pagan, and Christian traditions to celebrate the music of this season.
Sunday, December 23rd
1 p.m. – Joy to the World – A Holiday in Pink
The internationally acclaimed “little orchestra" Pink Martini bedecks the airwaves with festive holiday songs from across the globe. From timeless classics to rarely heard gems, hear a multi-denominational, multi-cultural jubilee, overflowing with enough holiday spirit to warm your entire family. Hosted by All Things Considered’s Ari Shapiro.
2 p.m. – A World Café Holiday
From the World Cafe archives, hear special one of a kind holiday performances from big-name artists including Jack Johnson, Carole King, Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings, The Oh-Hellos and more. Hosted by Talia Schlanger, this musical Santa will provide a full hour of hour of hip holiday cheer.
3 p.m. - The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Concert
Celebrate the season with amazing holiday performances from The Tiny Desk Concert series, including Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings, Steve Martin, Hanson, The Polyphonic Spree and more! Hosted by NPR Music frenemies Bob Boilen and Stephen Thompson.
9 p.m. – A Chanticleer Christmas
This unique, one-hour 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 host Brian Newhouse.
Monday, December 24th
10 a.m. – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols LIVE
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.
7 p.m. – Holiday Jazz with Dee Alexander
It's Chicago’s First Lady of Jazz Dee Alexander recorded live for the holidays! Dee Alexander brings all her warmth, charm, luscious voice and exquisite technique to this soon-to-be holiday tradition. Accompanied by her trio, Dee takes us on a musical holiday journey through such beloved standards as “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” and “Coventry Carol,” and cherished spirituals inspired by Chicago gospel legend Mahalia Jackson.
8 p.m. – The Knoxville Symphony Orchestra’s 32nd Annual Clayton Holiday Concert
Performed in the Knoxville Civic Auditorium
10 p.m. – A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols REPEAT
Tuesday, December 25th
9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Holiday Classical Music
Wednesday, December 26th
8 p.m. – A Season’s Griot
This one-hour celebration in story and song is public radio's only nationally syndicated Kwanzaa program. Hosted for 23 years by acclaimed storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson, this annual special captures the tales and traditions of African American and African peoples.
Monday, December 31st
10 p.m. – Toast of the Nation
New Year’s Eve Celebrations through 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day
Tuesday, January 1st
11 a.m. – New Year’s Day from Vienna 2019
The Vienna Philharmonic presents its ever popular annual New Year's Day concert from the Golden Hall of the Musikverein in Vienna. You'll hear your favorite waltzes, polkas and more -- a festive way to start off the New Year.