KISU-FM 2023 Holiday Special Programs Line-up
December 23 2023
The Film Score 6:00 pm
Music for the Winter Holidays is an hour-long special devoted to holiday and wintertime movie music. In addition to beloved standards (“White Christmas” from “Holiday Inn” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” from “Meet Me in St. Louis”), Michael shares an eclectic mix of wintry film scores, ranging from “It Happened in Sun Valley” (from “Sun Valley Serenade”) to Alexandre Desplat’s folk-inspired score for “The Grand Budapest Hotel” to Bernard Herrmann’s bracing sleigh ride accompaniment composed for the Orson Welles drama “The Magnificent Ambersons.” Bundle up and enjoy The Film Score: Music for the Winter Holidays!
Joy to the World 7:00 pm
Jazz pianist Bob Thompson, and the Bob Thompson unit have been featuring holiday classics at Christmas time for more than 20 years. Join Bob, his band, and guest Kim Nalley for an hour of holiday cheer, from West Virginia Public Broadcasting.
December 24, 2023
Welcome Christmas 3:00 pm
The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries.
Your Classical Christmas Favorites 6-8:00 pm
Join us this holiday season as we count down the top Christmas songs as voted by you in a two-hour special.
Alternative School 8:00 pm
Host CJ Morrison hosts an hour of alternative-rock Christmas covers!
Chanticleer 9:00 pm
This unique, one-hour program of holiday music is presented live in concert by Chanticleer. Hear why this superb 12-man ensemble is known as "an orchestra of voices," as they perform holiday classics and new favorites, with choral commentary by host Steve Staruch.
Joy to the World 2023 10:00 pm
Pianist Bob Thompson and his band perform a mixture of instrumental selections and vocal pieces with special guest Zara Bode and trumpeter James Moore.
A Swinging Holiday Party with Wyson Marsalis 11:00 pm
Wynton Marsalis hosts an hour of holiday jazz favorites by Duke Ellington, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong, Cécile McLorin Salvant, Gregory Porter, René Marie, and the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.
December 25, 2023
Christmas with Madrigalia 9:00 am
This one-hour program, recorded live in concert, features beautiful music for the winter holidays by Kim Baryluk, Taylor Scott Davis, Michael Praetorius, Sergei Rachmaninov and others. And they will be joined by the Rochester Bach Children’s Chorus for traditional music for the December holidays.
St Olaf Christmas 10:00 am - Noon
A service in song and word that has become one of the nation’s most cherished holiday celebrations. Tickets to the event - which takes place at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN - are always gone months in advance. 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.
Holiday Jazz w/Dee Alexander 6:00 pm
With support from emcee and Chicago radio luminary Richard Steele and longtime collaborators pianist Miguel de la Cerna, bassist Junius Paul, and drummer Yussef Ernie Adams, the beloved Chicago vocalist and WFMT Radio Network Jazz Network host Dee Alexander entertains and enchants with songs and reminiscences of holidays past.
All is Bright 7:00 pm
One hour of gorgeous, contemplative music related to the Christmas season and its symbolism. Hosted by Lynne Warfel
December 26, 2023
The Sounds of Kwanzaa 3:00 pm
In this broadcast, Garrett McQueen offers a background on the history of Kwanzaa and its guiding principles, alongside musical selections that highlight the spirit of the celebration. The show features the compositions of Florence Price, Duke Ellington, Sean O’Loughlin, and special performances by Imani Winds.
