WPR has special holiday shows planned throughout December, bringing inspiring music and fun.
Hear choral programs from the Eau Claire Master Singers, the Morehouse and Spelman College Glee Clubs, and King’s College, Cambridge; special holiday reads on “Chapter A Day,” and a visit from a guest who’s very busy this time of year on “The Larry Meiller Show.”
Plus much more to keep the season bright.
Here’s a rundown of special holiday programs on WPR Music and WPR News, subject to addition and change. There will also be celebrations of the season during regular WPR Music broadcasts, and national programs on WPR News may have holiday shows in their schedules too.
WPR Music
December 21-22
“The Road to Higher Ground with Jonathan Øverby” – 12/21, 5 p.m.
Celebrate the Winter Solstice and the holiday season with an inspiring mix of world music.
“Simply Folk” shares hosts’ Winter Solstice and holiday favorites – 12/22 , 5 p.m.
Host Sile Shigley and co-hosts Jeff Durkee and Steve Gotcher come together in the studio taking turns sharing their favorite songs of the season.
December 24
Welcome Christmas – 7 a.m. (1 hour)
The ensemble VocalEssence presents an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries
Christmas at Luther College – 8 a.m. and repeated 12/25 at 3p.m. (1 hour)
WPR’s La Crosse Station Manager Ezra Wall hosts this encore of “Christmas at Luther: Love, the Rose, is on the Way.” Recorded in December 2023, it features Luther’s five choral ensembles, symphony orchestra, and percussion ensemble performing a variety of selections celebrating the Advent and Christmas seasons.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – 9 a.m. and repeated 12/25 , 4 p.m. (2 hours)
Broadcast live around the world, this annual favorite features carols sung by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, England.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico – 11 a.m. (1 hour)
Celebrate Christmas with radiant Renaissance music performed by this acclaimed choir, including works by William Byrd and Thomas Tallis.
Carols as Home with the Imani Winds – noon (1 hour)
The group presents a modern take on Christmas carols, along with reflections on why these classic carols are still meaningful today.
Candles Burning Brightly – 1 p.m. (1 hour)
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with this program of music, stories, and recipes for Hanukkah.
A Chanticleer Christmas – 2 p.m. and repeated 12/25, 10 a.m. (1 hour)
The Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings us a centuries-spanning program ranging from Renaissance works to roof-raising spirituals.
Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs – 3 p.m. and repeated 12/25, 11 a.m. (1 hour)
The choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges get together to present a joyous mix of spirituals and carols.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival 2024 – 4 p.m. and repeated 12/25, noon (2 hours)
A program of highlights celebrating the long tradition of popular Christmas concerts from St. Olaf College, which have been broadcast on public radio stations for many years.
Jonathan Winters’ A Christmas Carol – 6 p.m. (1 hour)
An updated version of a public radio favorite. Jonathan Winters presents a distinctive reading of this classic story, using a performing edition that author Charles Dickens prepared for his own readings.
December 25
Holiday Favorites from WPR – 7 a.m. (3 hours)
Stephanie Elkins presents a festive mix of music drawn from WPR’s extensive collection of holiday music recordings.
A Chanticleer Christmas –10 a.m. (1 hour)
The Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings us a centuries-spanning program ranging from Renaissance works to roof-raising spirituals
Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs – 11 a.m. (1 hour)
The choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges get together to present a joyous mix of spirituals and carols.
Welcome Christmas – noon (1 hour)
The ensemble VocalEssence presents an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.
Christmas with the Eau Claire Master Singers – 1 p.m. (2 hours)
For over three decades, the Eau Claire Master Singers have brought great artistic commitment to their performances. That commitment is at its most heartfelt in the annual “Lessons and Carols” concerts, which often feature newly commissioned works. Enjoy highlights from the 2023, 2021, and 2019 programs, under the direction of Dr. Frank A. Watkins, Dr. Gary R. Schwartzhoff, and Rebecca Santine.
Christmas at Luther College – 3 p.m. (1 hour)
WPR’s La Crosse Station Manager Ezra Wall hosts this encore of “Christmas at Luther: Love, the Rose, is on the Way.” Recorded in December 2023, it features Luther’s five choral ensembles, symphony orchestra, and percussion ensemble performing a variety of selections celebrating the Advent and Christmas seasons.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – 4 p.m. (2 hours)
Broadcast around the world, this encore of the annual favorite features carols sung by the Choir of King’s College, Cambridge, England.
Candles Burning Brightly – 6 p.m. (1 hour)
Celebrate the Festival of Lights with this program of music, stories, and recipes for Hanukkah.
December 29
Wisconsin School Music Association Honor Concerts – 2 p.m. (2 hours)
Join us for two hours of performances by Middle and High School students from around the state. Recorded in October, 2024.
January 1
News Year’s Day from Vienna 2025 – 10 a.m., and repeated at 5 p.m. (2 hours)
Celebrate the new year with this annual favorite. A concert filled with waltzes, marches, and polkas, all performed by the Vienna Philharmonic and broadcast live, conducted this year by Riccardo Muti.
WPR News
“Chapter A Day” – “Skipping Christmas” by John Grisham – Monday, Dec. 16 -Wednesday, Dec. 25. Weeknights – 7 p.m. (30 mins) on WPR Music, 9:30 p.m. on WPR News. Read by Jim Fleming. Missed the earlier chapters? Catch up at the “Chapter A Day” website or on the WPR app. Chapters are archived for one week after the broadcast.
Luther and Nora Krank, having sent their daughter off to work for the Peace Corps, sense an opportunity. “We won’t do Christmas,” says Luther, and books a cruise instead. Their neighbors find this decision unseemly, to say the least, and the humor of the story is in how the Kranks respond to pressure. The Kranks may want to skip Christmas, but you won’t.
“The Larry Meiller Show” – Guest: Santa Claus. Tuesday, Dec. 24 noon
Larry and Santa talk about the busy holiday season, give tips on sleigh and reindeer care, and invite kids to call in and share their Christmas wishes.
“Chapter A Day” – “The Chimes” by Charles Dickens – Thursday, Dec. 26 -Friday Jan. 3. Weeknights – 7 p.m. (30 mins) on WPR Music, 9:30 p.m. on WPR News. Read by Jim Fleming. Missed the earlier chapters? Catch up at the “Chapter A Day” website or on the WPR app. Chapters are archived for one week after the broadcast.
This 1844 Charles Dickens’ novella concerns the disillusionment of Toby “Trotty” Veck, a poor working-class man. When Trotty has lost his faith in humanity and believes that his poverty is the result of his unworthiness he is visited on New Year’s Eve by spirits to help restore his faith and show him that nobody is born evil, but rather that crime and poverty are things created by man.
