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Holidays Sound Good on WKMS!

We’re happy announce that our annual holiday programming schedule is set! We hope you’ll curl up with a hot mug of cocoa to enjoy nearly 80 hours of special national and local programing to celebrate the season.

You’ll hear favorites like A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,  A Chanticleer Christmas, and New Year’s Day from Vienna, as well as some new additions like A Journey Through the Nutcracker and Tallis Scholars: Love is Better than Wine

We'd like to thank Jim Bryant, Professor of Graphic Design at Murray State University, for the special artwork shown above.

HOLIDAY SHOW TIMES & DESCRIPTIONS:

Giving Thanks
Thursday, November 28, 11 am – 1 pm
This year Minnesota Public Radio host John Birge is joined by actress Julia Sweeney (SNL) and author Anne Lamott to celebrate Thanksgiving with two hours of music and stories. 

Chanukah in Story and Song
Thursday, November 28, 1 – 2 pm
Chanukah coincides with Thanksgiving this year! Leonard Nimoy hosts with The Western Wind performing Ladino songs, Yiddish melodies and modern Israeli tunes. 

Ties That Bind: A StoryCorps 10th Anniversary Special
Friday, November 29, 11 am – Noon
NPR’s Scott Simon and StoryCorps founder Dave Isay reflect on the importance of humanity and intimacy, and revisit beloved StoryCorps stories from its first 10 years.

Preserving Our Voices
Friday, November 29, Noon – 1 pm
Sunday, December 1, 9 – 10 am
Thursday, December 26, 11 am – Noon
WKMS marks the National Day of Listening with our region’s voices and stories from Hopkinsville, Paducah, Madisonville, Murray, and Paris, TN, recorded in October 2013.

A Journey Through the Nutcracker
Tuesday, December 3, 7 – 9 pm
WGBH host James David Jacobs goes behind the scenes with the Boston Ballet’s conductor, castmembers and audience of its performance of The Nutcracker, revealing Tchaikovsky’s magic.

Holidays at MSU 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 7 – 8 pm
Tuesday, December 24, Noon – 1 pm
The Murray State Concert Choir, Wind Ensemble, Chamber Singers, and Jazz Orchestra highlight this 10th annual seasonal special produced for KET.

Hanukkah Lights 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 8 – 9 pm
NPR’s Susan Stamberg and Murray Horwitz read original stories and memoirs written expressly for this program.

The Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas Party (2012)
Thursday, December 5, 7 – 9 pm
Enjoy crooner classics and seasonal tiki tunes by Frank Sinatra, Peggy Lee, and more. 

Tallis Scholars: Love is Better than Wine
Monday, December 9, Noon – 1 pm
Peter Phillips directs the revered a cappella ensemble The Tallis Scholars in a sublime holiday program by these “rock stars of Renaissance Music.”

Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol
Tuesday, December 10, Noon – 1 pm
Susan Stamberg hosts with the late master comedian Jonathan Winters in a signature reading of Dickens’ holiday classic.

Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
Wednesday, December 11, Noon – 1 pm
NPR’s Korva Coleman hosts the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges in a celebration of spirituals and carols.

A Centennial Ceremony of Carols: A Benjamin Britten Holiday Celebration
Thursday, December 12, Noon – 1 pm
This centennial celebration of Britten (1913-1976), features the New England Conservatory Chamber Chorus, the NEC Brass Ensemble and the Back Bay Ringers.

Christmas Sounds Good with Dr. Bob
Friday, December 13 11, am – 1 pm
Holiday favorites from the Eisenhower Hour® library.

Classical Encore Christmas
Sunday, December 15, 5 – 7 am & 9 – 11 pm
Kala Dunn spreads classical holiday cheer.

Welcome Christmas!
Monday, December 16, Noon – 1 pm
John Birge hosts an hour of joyful holiday music with the Minneapolis-based chorus, VocalEssence. 

All Songs Considered for the Holidays
Tuesday, December 17, Noon – 1 pm
Hear host Bob Boilen and friends bring you their top picks of holiday songs from new and emerging breakout bands.

Jazz Piano Christmas XXIX
Wednesday, December 18, Noon – 1 pm
Enjoy a Kennedy Center gala concert featuring jazz keyboardists Andy Bey, Stanley Cowell, Sullivan Fortner and Michele Rosewoman performing holiday favorites.

A Chanticleer Christmas
Thursday, December 19, Noon – 1 pm
American’s finest 12-voice male choir performs beloved Christmas songs from Gregorian chant to Gospel.

The Jive House Funky Christmas
Thursday, December 19, 9 – 10 pm
Brad and John bring the Christmas funk. 

A Funky Jazz Christmas with George Eldred
Thursday, December 19, 10 – 11 pm
The funky Christmas music continues.

A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Friday, December 20, Noon – 1pm
A young British group devoted to music of the Renaissance performs in St. Paul’s Church on Harvard Square. 

Paul Winter Consort’s Winter Solstice Celebration
Friday, December 20, 7 – 9 pm
We celebrate the longest night of the year with an ethereal concert in the world’s largest gothic cathedral, New York’s Cathedral of St. John the Divine.

House Blend Festive Holiday Show
Friday, December 20, 9 – 11 pm
David Weatherly cooks up jazz, funk and more.

The Retro Cocktail Hour Christmas Party (2013)
Friday, December 20, 11 pm – 1 am
Retro host Darrell Brogdon brings you holiday music that’s shaken, not stirred.

Music from the Front Porch Christmas
Saturday, December 21, 10 am – 1 pm
Mark Welch plays Americana Christmas favorites.

Rick’s Kitchen Sink Christmas Special
Saturday, December 21, 1 – 3 pm
Join Rick Nance for an ultra-festive show!

Beyond The Edge Holiday Special
Saturday, December 21, 8 – 11 pm
Tracy plays alternative favorites for the season.

Weekend Energy Dubstep Christmas
Saturday, December 21, 11 pm – 1 am
Matt McG’s fourth-annual Dubstep Christmas!

Classical Encore Christmas
Sunday, December 22, 5 – 7 am
Dr. John Dressler brings holiday cheer to classical.

The Paducah Symphony Orchestra’s A Christmas Celebration
Sunday, December 22, 11 am – 1 pm & 9 – 11 pm
The Paducah Symphony Orchestra, its choruses and the Murray State University Concert Choir performance of December 14, 2013.

Jazzman Christmas
Sunday, December 22, 1 – 2 pm
Join the Jazzman for an hour of Christmas jazz.

A Christmas Celtic Sojourn 2013
Sunday, December 22, 7 – 9 pm
WGBH’s host Brian O’Donovan tells Celtic stories and presents great traditional singers and instrumentalists in the Cutler Majestic Theatre in Boston. 

Messiah from Washington National Cathedral
Monday, December 23, Noon – 1 pm
WETA’s Robert Aubry Davis hosts a performance of Handel’s Messiah at Washington’s National Cathedral.

A Café Jazz Christmas with George Eldred
Monday, December 23, 9 – 11 pm
George Eldred presents a very special Café Jazz.

A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Tuesday, December 24, 9 – 11 am
The 30-voice King’s College Choir performs the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols service of readings and music live from Cambridge, England.

A Kentucky Christmas
Tuesday, December 24, 11 am – Noon
WKMS presents selections from A Kentucky Christmas, edited by George Ella Lyon and published by The University Press of Kentucky, voiced by wonderful volunteers.

A Café Jazz Christmas Eve with Todd Hill
Tuesday, December 24, 9 – 11 pm
It’s Christmas Eve! Celebrate with holiday classics.

St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Wednesday, December 25, 11 am – 1 pm
Enjoy a service in song and word from St. Olaf College with hymns, carols, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity.

A Café Jazz Christmas Night with Brian Clardy
Wednesday, December 25, 9 – 11 pm
Festive and soulful music thoughtfully produced.

A Season’s Griot 2013
Thursday, December 26, Noon – 1 pm
Renowned storyteller Madafo Lloyd Wilson hosts the hour-long Kwanzaa celebration with a focus on family and the familiar and favorite elements of Griot along with plenty of music

Toast of the Nation
Tuesday, December 31, 8 pm – 3 am
An NPR tradition every New Year’s Eve since the 1970s, Toast of the Nation takes you along for jazz parties across the country.

New Year’s Day from Vienna 2014
Wednesday, January 1, 10 am – Noon
Maestro Daniel Barenboim conducts The Vienna Philharmonic for your morning-after party. Happy New Year!

**This schedule is subject to change. Thanks to all who make this schedule possible!

Matt Markgraf joined the WKMS team as a student in January 2007. He's served in a variety of roles over the years: as News Director March 2016-September 2019 and previously as the New Media & Promotions Coordinator beginning in 2011. Prior to that, he was a graduate and undergraduate assistant. He is currently the host of the international music show Imported on Sunday nights at 10 p.m.
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