Here's a list of holiday music and specials coming your way this month on WPSU-FM:
A Mountain Stage Holiday – Sunday, December 20 at 8:00 p.m.
From the heartfelt to the humorous, Mountain Stage looks back at the songs and stories that remind us of
this special time of year. Performers include Odetta, Bruce Cockburn, Joan Baez, Loudon Wainwright III, Kathy Mattea and more. Larry Groce hosts.
The Big Tiny Desk Holiday Special – Sunday, December 20 at 9:00 p.m.
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.
Holiday Music from WPSU – Thursday, December 24 at 9:00 a.m.
An eclectic blend of holiday music from our library, ranging from classical to folk to pop to jazz.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – live, Thursday, December 24 at 10:00 a.m.
An annual and beloved Christmas tradition, “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” is an extraordinary and memorable service of word and music from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. Update: on Friday, of December 18, King's College announced that this year's festival will be pre-recorded instead of live, do to the worsening pandemic situation in the United Kingdon.
Hear a broadcast of a service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal music (anthems a cappella and with organ accompaniment, and congregational hymns), presented by one of the world’s foremost choirs of men and boys and performed in an acoustically and architecturally renowned venue.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico – Thursday, December 24 at 12:00 p.m.
Sing along with this year’s mix of holiday classics and contemporary hits. Host Scott Blankenship shares his favorite Christmas carols of the season, performed by today’s leading artists and ensembles.
Holiday Music from WPSU – Thursday, December 24 at 1:00 p.m.
An eclectic blend of holiday music from our library, ranging from classical to folk to pop to jazz.
All Songs Considered for the Holidays: The Return to the Cabin – Thursday, December 24 at 2:00 p.m.
For the first holiday extravaganza in 2012 (at a snow-covered cabin in the woods), nearly all of the invited guests canceled. The party was a lovable flop, but it launched a tradition that’s continued since, including trips to Bermuda, the north pole and even outer space. For this holiday party, Bob and Robin return to the cozy cabin where it all began. The special guests include Taylor Swift, Jenny Lewis, Tarriona "Tank" Ball, Lucy Dacus and more. What could possibly go wrong?
Jonathan Winters A Christmas Carol - Thursday, December 24 at 3:00 p.m.
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.
Joy to the World: a Holiday in Pink- Thursday, December 24 at 6:00 p.m.
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.
Winterfest: Our Gift In Song- Thursday, December 24 at 7:00 p.m. (rebroacast December 25 at 2:00 p.m.)
The Penn State gospel choir, Essence of Joy, joins with the community choir, Essence Two, in a concert of holiday choral music from the African and African American traditions, directed by Tony Leach. (Recorded by WPSU in 2011.)
A Soulful Christmas – Thursday, December 24 at 9:00 p.m.
Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu host this uplifting Christmas special that features Black music and composers. Including choral music, gospel, spiritual and jazz-inspired styles, this special celebrates and explores non-idiomatic Black classical music and choral traditions.
A Chanticleer Christmas - Thursday, December 24 at 10:00 p.m. (rebroacast December 25 at 10:00 a.m.)
Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
All Is Bright - Thursday, December 24 at 11:00 p.m.
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.
Holiday Music from WPSU – Friday, December 25 at 9:00 a.m.
An eclectic blend of holiday music from our library, ranging from classical to folk to pop to jazz.
A Chanticleer Christmas - Friday, December 25 at 10:00 a.m.
Celebrate the season with song! Steve Staruch hosts this one-hour program of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by Chanticleer, the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
Christmas with the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square - Friday, December 25 at 11:00 a.m.
The sounds of the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square floated into many homes during the holidays in the '60s & '70s on Goodyear and Firestone albums, bringing lush renditions of favorite Christmas carols. Those warm memories and feelings come right back again in this holiday special.
Holiday Music from WPSU – Friday, December 25 at 12:00 p.m.
An eclectic blend of holiday music from our library, ranging from classical to folk to pop to jazz.
A Soulful Christmas – Friday, December 25 at 1:00 p.m.
Julie Amacher and Tesfa Wondemagegnehu host this uplifting Christmas special that features Black music and composers. Including choral music, gospel, spiritual and jazz-inspired styles, this special celebrates and explores non-idiomatic Black classical music and choral traditions.
Winterfest: Our Gift In Song – Friday, December 25 at 2:00 p.m.
The Penn State gospel choir, Essence of Joy, joins with the community choir, Essence Two, in a concert of holiday choral music from the African and African American traditions, directed by Tony Leach. (Recorded by WPSU in 2011.)
All Songs Considered for the Holidays: The Return to the Cabin – Friday, December 25 at 6:00 p.m.
For the first holiday extravaganza in 2012 (at a snow-covered cabin in the woods), nearly all of the invited guests canceled. The party was a lovable flop, but it launched a tradition that’s continued since, including trips to Bermuda, the north pole and even outer space. For this holiday party, Bob and Robin return to the cozy cabin where it all began. The special guests include Taylor Swift, Jenny Lewis, Tarriona "Tank" Ball, Lucy Dacus and more. What could possibly go wrong?
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico – Friday, December 25 at 7:00 p.m.
Sing along with this year’s mix of holiday classics and contemporary hits. Host Scott Blankenship shares his favorite Christmas carols of the season, performed by today’s leading artists and ensembles.
Christmas with Morehouse and Spellman Glee Clubs – Friday, December 25 at 8:00 p.m.
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.
An Afro Blue Christmas – Friday, December 25 at 9:00 p.m.
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. 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.
Jazz Night in America: A Holiday Celebration – Friday, December 25 at 10:00 p.m.
A program of holiday classics featuring the Jazz At Lincoln Center Orchestra and special
guests. Christian McBride hosts.
A Jazz Piano Christmas – Friday, December 25 at 11:00 p.m.
Join the Kennedy Center and NPR Music for this annual holiday tradition highlighting jazz pianists and their favorite seasonal music, captured live in concert with a small audience. The line-up will be announced soon. Felix Contreras hosts.
How We Survive: Adapting to Climate Change (from Marketplace) – Thursday, December 31 at 7:00 p.m.
Climate change is here. We hear about it more than ever. And experts say we need to adapt — but what does that actually look like? This one-hour special from Marketplace, led by Molly Wood, explores the role of technology in helping humanity weather the impacts of climate change. The time of complete prevention has passed, and we must turn towards adaptation.
This special will focus on how practical, tangible tools can help solve this crisis — and the pandemic’s impact on how quickly that technology can be deployed. In this solutions-based reporting, Wood and team talk to Big Tech, startups and researchers in an attempt to answer what comes next.
Toast of the Nation – Thursday, December 31 at 10:00 p.m.
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, even on lockdown.
