HOLIDAY 2016 PROGRAMMING
The holidays are here! KPR celebrates with a number of specialty programs now through the New Year. See our list of specials and plan your life accordingly.
Thursday, 11/24/2016
Giving Thanks – 9-11 a.m.
Classical music is the heart and soul of Giving Thanks, with no clichés about pilgrims and pumpkin pies between pieces. Instead, host John Birge presents a contemporary celebration of the spirit of gratitude, with this year's special guest, chef Jacques Pepin. Whether you’re listening in the kitchen, on the road, or relaxing after their feast, Giving Thanks provides the warmth of great music and memorable words.
A Feast for the Ears – 6-8 p.m.
A Feast for the Ears celebrates Thanksgiving with music that sets the atmosphere and reflections that provide deeper meaning to the holiday, with music by Aaron Copland, Virgil Thomson, Antonio Vivaldi and J.S. Bach.
Saturday, 12/3/2016
Right Between the Ears Holiday Special – 1-2 p.m.
An all-new holiday special, recorded at a live performance at Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence. Topical take-offs and seasonal spoofs from KPR’s award-winning comedy troupe. (KPR2)
Monday, 12/5/2016
Welcome Christmas – 7-8 p.m.
The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premiere choral groups, led by Philip Brunelle. Join host John Birge for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.
Wednesday, 12/7/2016
Right Between the Ears Holiday Special – 6-7 p.m.
An all-new holiday special, recorded at a live performance at Liberty Hall in downtown Lawrence. Topical take-offs and seasonal spoofs from KPR’s award-winning comedy troupe. (KPR2)
Tuesday, 12/13/2016
Noel! Great Organ Works – 7-8:30 p.m.
In a concert at Topeka’s Grace Cathedral, organist Adam Brakel performs music for the Christmas season, including Gaston Marie Dethier’s “Christmas,” Ralph Vaughan Williams’ “Rhosymedre” and Marcel Dupre’s variations on the French Renaissance carol “Noel Nouvelet,” among others.
Saturday, 12/17/2016
Right Between the Ears Best of Christmas Past – 1-2 p.m.
An hour of favorite Yuletide bits and satirical songs, drawn from past live performances of Right Between the Ears. (KPR2)
Monday, 12/19/2016
A Chanticleer Christmas – 7-8 p.m.
An hour of holiday favorites, new and old, presented live in concert by the superb 12-man ensemble known as "an orchestra of voices."
Tuesday, 12/20/2016
A Leroy Anderson Christmas – 7-8 p.m.
An hour of classic Christmas arrangements and original music by Leroy Anderson, hosted by conductor Leonard Slatkin and the composer's son Kurt Anderson, and featuring performances by the BBC Concert Orchestra and Leroy Anderson conducting his “Pops” Concert Orchestra.
Wednesday, 12/21/2016
Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir – 7-8 p.m.
The sounds of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir 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.
Thursday, 12/22/2016
Holiday Vespers – 7-8 p.m.
The annual Yuletide concert from the University of Kansas, with the KU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs.
Friday, 12/23/2016
Holiday Vespers – 2-3 p.m.
The annual Yuletide concert from the University of Kansas, with the KU Symphony Orchestra and Choirs (repeat).
Saturday, 12/24/2016
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – 9-11 a.m.
Hosted by Michael Barone, this is a 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.
Big Band Christmas – 2-4 p.m.
KPR's annual concert for the holiday season, recorded live at Liberty Hall, featuring the KC Jazz Orchestra, with singers Ron Gutierrez and Kathleen Holeman.
The Retro Cocktail Hour – 7-9 p.m.
Music that’s “shaken, not stirred” for Christmas Eve.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – 10 p.m.-Midnight
A rebroadcast of the Christmas Eve service 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.
Sunday, 12/25/2016
Trail Mix Christmas – 1-7 p.m.
Trail Mix host Bob McWilliams presents original songs for the season by the likes of Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dar Williams, Carrie Newcomer and Robin & Linda Williams as well as traditional carols, hymns and spirituals from such artists as Bruce Cockburn and the Fairfield Four.
KPR Presents – 7-8 p.m.
KPR Presents host Kaye McIntyre takes us on a trip to Christmas Past with sketches, readings, and music from the KANU archives.
Monday, 12/26/2016
Holiday Vespers – 11 a.m.-Noon
An encore broadcast of the annual Yuletide concert by the KU Symphony and choirs.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival – 1-3 p.m.
A 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.
A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago a cappella – 8-9 p.m.
Join Jonathan Miller, artistic director of Chicago a cappella and a longtime champion of Jewish choral music, for an inspiring and informative show featuring choral music set to Chanukah texts.
Big Band Christmas – 9-11 p.m.
An encore broadcast of the annual concert at Liberty Hall by the Kansas City Jazz Orchestra, presented by KPR.