New Orleans Public Radio presents its 2018 Holiday Programming schedule for WWNO 89.9 and 104.9 Classical FM.
89.9 WWNO
Wednesday, December 19
9-10 p.m. All Songs Considered - NPR's Bob Boilen, with Robin Hilton and guests, play a mix of the seasonal songs they love most.
10-11 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.
Thursday, December 20
8-10 p.m. Christmas Revels
Friday, December 21
7-8 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 cappella group perform a variety of holiday songs including African-American spirituals, jazz and pop tunes, and classical repertoire. Hosted by Michele Norris.
Sunday, December 23
9-10 p.m. A Chanticleer Christmas - Brian Newhouse hosts this one-hour program of a cappella holiday favorites, new and old, presented in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man choral ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
10-11 p.m. Music for Winter 2018 - Our own James Arey presents a seasonal hour of music to welcome Winter. You'll hear selections by Vivaldi, Michael Giacchino and Tchaikovsky. Plus: winter-themed folk tunes from the British Isles.
11 p.m.-Midnight Slavic Wonders
Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
9-11 a.m. Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols (LIVE) - A beloved Christmas tradition, "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols" is an extraordinary and memorable service of word and music broadcast live from the Chapel of King's College, Cambridge, England. Detailed information about the performance, including a downloadable program is available at http://www.kings.cam.ac.uk/events/chapel-services/nine-lessons.html
6-7 p.m. Tinsel Tales 4 - The fourth collection of extraordinary NPR Christmas stories that will transport you to unexpected places, told by NPR personalities past and present tell stories of the season in this hour-long special. Some tales are funny; some are touching; some are insightful or irreverent or nostalgic or surprising. Hosted by Lynn Neary.
7-8 p.m. 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 Acheivement Award recipient Booker T. Jones and James Francies, Felix Contreras hosts.
8-9 p.m. Christmas at the Movies - Classical 104.9 FM host James Arey takes you on a journey through the scores of some favorite Christmas movies. You'll hear music from Elf, Home Alone, Miracle on 34th Street, and The Polar Express. Sponsored by Carver Darden.
9-10 p.m. A Christmas Carol with Jonathan Winters - 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. From NPR and KCRW.
10-11 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.
11 p.m.-Midnight Madrigalia
Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
Midnight-1 a.m. Welcome Christmas - A favorite from Vocal Essence, 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.
1-5 a.m. Seasonal Sounds from Classical 24
6:51 a.m., 8:51 a.m. Santaland Diaries (during Morning Edition) - The radio segment that launched David Sedaris' career over twenty years ago! Join the Morning Edition team for this hilarious annual rebroadcast as David recounts his experiences as an elf in Macy's Santaland.
9-11 a.m. A St. Olaf Christmas Festival - Hosted by Valerie Kahler, this service has become a cherished holiday celebration. The festival includes hymns, carols, choral works, as well as orchestral selections, and features more than 500 student musicians in five choirs, and the St. Olaf Orchestra.
11 a.m.-Noon Christmas with the Morehouse & Spellman Glee Club - One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges get together to present a spine-tingling concert, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols. Korva Coleman hosts.
Noon-2 p.m. Handel's "Messiah" with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
7-8 p.m. Carols and Cheer - Host Scott Blankenship reviews his favorite carols this holiday season. Sing along as he shares his top picks for the Christmas season, performed by today's leading artists and ensembles.
Monday, December 31 (New Year's Eve)
9 p.m.-3 a.m. Toast of the Nation - An NPR tradition every New Year's Eve since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation is the perfect audio complement for the occasion. It's festive jazz you can party to, all night long. Spirited, improvised, and swinging, each segment stops in a Blue Note venue throughout the country and the world. Hear encore sets from Buika,The Dirty Dozen Brass Band, Joshua Redman and Brad Meldau, pianist Fred Hersch, Ron Carter, and Dee Dee Bridgewater.
Tuesday, January 1 (New Year's Day)
10 a.m.-NOON New Year's Day from Vienna (LIVE) - 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. Presented by NPR Music.
CLASSICAL 104.9 FM & WWNO HD-2
Monday, December 24 (Christmas Eve)
3-5 p.m. Handel's "Messiah" with the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra & Chorus
5-6 p.m. Music for Winter 2018 - Our own James Arey presents a seasonal hour of music to welcome Winter. You'll hear selections by Vivaldi, Michael Giacchino and Tchaikovsky. Plus: winter-themed folk tunes from the British Isles.
9-11 p.m. A Concierto Christmas Special
11 p.m.-Midnight Stile Antico: A Choral Christmas
Tuesday, December 25 (Christmas Day)
Midnight-1 a.m. In Italia: A Renaissance Christmas
1-2 a.m. Gloria in Excelsis: Christmas with the New Jersey Master Chorale
2-3 a.m. All is Bright: A Contemplative 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
3-5 a.m. Echoes: Christmas 2018
Wednesday, December 26
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. Classical New Orleans - Our local host James Arey continues the annual tradition of presenting some of his favorite recordings and performances for his Dec. 26th birthday!
6-8 p.m. Chicago Symphony Orchestra - A special program of sacred works, including Poulenc's "Gloria" and the Gounod "Saint Cecilia Mass"