KCET Announces 13 Hours of Holiday Programming Starting Dec. 23
CONTACT
JP Shields
JPShields@kcet.org
747-201-5886
54th Annual Holiday Wassail Concert at Chapman University
Kicks Off Seasonal Programming Lineup Featuring Five Network Debuts
Burbank, Calif. – Nov. 28, 2017 - KCET, the nation’s largest independent public television station, announced today a 13-hour holiday programming lineup devoted to seasonal specials featuring five all-new programs making their premiere outing on the Southern California public television station. Starting with the station’s traditional broadcast of the 54th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY, five all-new specials will debut on KCET that include FESTIVAL OF CAROLS WITH SYLVIA MCNAIR, A ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS: SO BRIGHT THE STAR, CHRISTMAS AT CONCORDIA: GATHER US IN and CHRISTMAS AT SUSQUEHANNA: 50th ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT CONCERT. The seasonal programming will start on Sat., Dec. 23 and run through Mon., Dec. 25 on KCET in Southern California.
KCET’s broadcast of the 54th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY features the Chapman University Singers, the Chapman University Choir and Women’s Choir along with spectacular music by The Chapman Orchestra. The performance is a collaboration between students and faculty. This year’s program will feature a magnificent selection of holiday season favorites, as well as music from around the world and will be held in the acclaimed Musco Center for the Arts. The 1,044-seat, world-class center provides a state-of-the-art experience with acoustics designed by world-renowned Yasuhisa Toyota of Nagata Acoustic.
The holiday lineup will telecast as follows (*subject to change):
54th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY Sat., Dec. 23 at 7 p.m.
The beloved Chapman University tradition returns! Watch a magnificent concert of holiday season favorites performed by the Chapman University Singers, University Choir and Women’s Choir along with music performed by the Chapman Orchestra. (Network premiere!)
HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE BOSTON POPS Sat., Dec. 23 at 8 p.m.
This one-hour music special showcases the best of the New England holiday season with the Boston Pops and Tanglewood Festival Chorus, under the direction of Keith Lockhart, performing beloved classics, including "Christmas Canticles" and "Hallelujah Chorus" from Handel's Messiah. Filmed at Symphony Hall in Boston, the show features several special segments, including a performance by bass-baritone Justin Hopkins. Country superstar Sara Evans sings songs from her 2014 holiday album "At Christmas," and Mad Men and Broadway star Robert Morse reads "Twas the Night Before Christmas" with musical accompaniment.
FESTIVAL OF CAROLS WITH SYLVIA MCNAIR Sat., Dec. 23 at 9 p.m.
Grammy-winning soprano Sylvia McNair joins the 150-voice Indianapolis Symphonic Choir and the Chamber Orchestra at The Palladium at The Center for The Performing Arts for the 25th anniversary of the holiday favorite “Festival of Carols With Sylvia McNair.” The annual concert is one of the largest holiday performances in Indianapolis and includes familiar carol classics such as "Joy to the World," "The First Noel" and "O Holy Night.” (Network premiere!)
53rd ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY Sun., Dec. 24 at 10 a.m.
A rebroadcast of last year’s magnificent concert of holiday season favorites, held for the first time in the acclaimed Musco Center for the Arts. The program features the Chapman University Singers, University Choir and Women’s Choir along with spectacular music by The Chapman Orchestra.
A ST. THOMAS CHRISTMAS: SO BRIGHT THE STAR Sun., Dec. 24 at 11 a.m.
Recorded before a live audience at Orchestra Hall in downtown Minneapolis, this hour special celebrates the Advent and Christmas season by drawing from a songbook of familiar traditional carols and innovative contemporary selections. The festive one-hour concert showcases the University of St. Thomas’ internationally renowned vocal and instrumental ensembles in performance with inspired musical programming. (Network premiere!)
HOLIDAY HANDBELLS: THE RALEIGH RINGERS Sun., Dec. 24 at 12 p.m.
The Raleigh Ringers, an internationally acclaimed community handbell choir based in Raleigh, North Carolina runs the gamut of song selections from old yuletide favorites to Vince Guaraldi's “A Charlie Brown Christmas” score and other sounds of the season. Director and conductor David Harris explains the centuries-old history of handbells, the variety of bells and bell-like instruments used, and the teamwork required to perform a piece.
JORDAN SMITH: ‘TIS THE SEASON Sun., Dec. 24 at 1 p.m.
Jordan Smith, season nine winner of NBC's The Voice (and biggest selling The Voice artist to date), stars in his very first one-hour concert program. Taped on the Evergreen Stage at Diadan Studios, the special spotlights music from Jordan's new Christmas album “Tis the Season," and features special guest David Foster, the legendary composer, songwriter and producer.
HAPPY HOLIDAYS WITH THE BOSTON POPS Sun., Dec. 24 at 2 p.m.
Program synopsis listed above.
54th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY Sun., Dec. 24 at 3 p.m.
Program synopsis listed above.
54th ANNUAL WASSAIL CONCERT AT CHAPMAN UNIVERSITY Mon., Dec. 25 at 9 a.m.
Program synopsis listed above.
CHRISTMAS AT CONCORDIA: GATHER US IN Mon., Dec. 25 at 10 a.m.
In the music special, Concordia College re-imagines the Christmas message with music embracing peace and reconciliation. The concert marks the 125th anniversary of Concordia College, which was founded by Norwegian immigrants and is located in Moorhead, Minnesota. (Network premiere!)
CHRISTMAS AT SUSQUEHANNA: 50th ANNIVERSARY CANDLELIGHT CONCERT Mon., Dec. 25 at 11 a.m.
Experience the beauty of Weber Chapel bathed in the glow of 1,500 candles in this beautiful holiday special. Recorded in December 2016, the program captures the voices of students, faculty, staff, alumni, families and community members joining together on the campus of Susquehanna University in historic Selinsgrove, Pennsylvania to celebrate 50 years of a cherished tradition: Susquehanna University's annual Christmas candlelight service. (Network premiere!)
JORDAN SMITH: ‘TIS THE SEASON Mon., Dec. 25 at 12 p.m.
Program synopsis listed above.
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