2017 Holiday Schedule
The Sounds of the Season are sponsored by Terra Toys and KMFA Board Members Malcolm Cooper and Nancy Scanlan.
Thursday, November 23
1:00 p.m. | Giving Thanks
This Thanksgiving, KMFA invites you to tune in to Giving Thanks, which reveals how classical music inspires the souls of acclaimed people from a very wide range of different backgrounds. Legendary mezzo-soprano Marilyn Horne, New York Philharmonic principal clarinetist Anthony McGill, and his brother, flutist Demarre McGill, award winning dancer/choreographer and artistic director Jessica Lang and multi award winning journalist Maria Hinojosa tell us about musical works that have powerfully affected them.
Musical selections include Bach’s B Minor Mass, Samuel Barber’s Knoxville Summer of 1915, Beethoven’s String Quartet No. 15 Opus 132, Schumann’s Dichterliebe and Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture.
6:00 p.m. | Thanksgiving with Cantus
KMFA is pleased to bring you this special broadcast, hosted by Alison Young, featuring premier men's vocal ensemble Cantus for a conversation about Thanksgiving music and food, and sitting down with those we love and to celebrate the blessings in our lives.
You’ll enjoy a variety of performances by Cantus, including "We Gather Together," "The 23rd Psalm," "Brothers, Sing On!" and "Wanting Memories."
Friday, November 24
12:00 p.m. | Listen Local: ACMC's A Charlie Brown Christmas
Michelle Schumann, Utah Hamrick and David Sierra usher in the spirit of the holidays with A Charlie Brown Christmas, fast becoming a KMFA tradition for noon on Friday after Thanksgiving. Great for children from one to ninety-two!
Friday, December 8
12:00 p.m. | Advent Voices
Advent is a time of quiet contemplation and waiting. It's waiting for darkness to become light and for hopes to be realized. Throughout the centuries Advent has been observed musically in sacred and secular ways. Join Lynne Warfel for an hour of the most beautiful vocal music inspired by and written for Advent.
Tuesday, December 12
12:00 p.m. | Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker
Tchaikovsky’s classic Christmas themed ballet, The Nutcracker has been popular since its first performance in 1892. Our performance features the Kirov Orchestra led by Valery Gergiev.
Friday, December 15
6:00 p.m. | Listen Local: ACMC's A Charlie Brown Christmas
Vince Guaraldi’s music for Charles Schulz’s beloved Charlie Brown Christmas has become a classic, and so has Austin Chamber Music Center’s annual performances, with Michelle Schumann, piano, Utah Hamrick, bass and David Sierra, drums. KMFA loves it too, and we’re happy to bring it to you, recorded live in 2015!
Saturday, December 16
6:00 p.m. | Concierto Holiday Special
Tune in for a special holiday edition of Concierto! This broadcast includes 18th century choral villancicos from New Spain by Antonio de Salazar; a taste of Christmas in the Southwest from Conrad Susa; traditional music of the season from Puerto Rico and Spain, and much more!
Sunday, December 17
1:00 p.m. | Handel's Messiah with Ensemble VIII
Join KMFA’s Sara Schneider as she hosts a performance of the complete Messiah by Handel, with Austin’s Ensemble VIII.
Monday, December 18
6:00 p.m. | Mormon Tabernacle Choir
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. The choir continues its tradition of great artistry with touching arrangements of familiar carols, and surprises with lesser-known melodies that are fast becoming the new classics.
Tuesday, December 19
6:00 p.m. | Welcome Christmas
The perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premiere choral groups. An hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, hosted by John Birge.
Wednesday, December 20
6:00 p.m. | Chanticleer Christmas
The ever-popular ensemble Chanticleer celebrate the season with a brand new program for 2017.
Thursday, December 21
6:00 p.m. | Listen Local: Texas Early Music Project's Early Christmas
In An Early Christmas, TEMP explores the intangible essence of Christmas with joyful carols, motets, dances, and traditional songs, conducted by Daniel Johnson. KMFA’s Sara Schneider hosts.
Friday, December 22 through Christmas Day
Festival of Carols - A long-standing tradition, KMFA brings you wonderful music for the holiday, in addition to specials leading up to the 25th. Great music to get you and yours into the spirit!
Saturday, December 23
12:00 p.m. | Metropolitan Opera broadcast of Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro
Sunday, December 24
9:00 a.m. | Festival of Lessons and Carols, Live from King's College
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.
Monday, December 25
7:00 p.m. | St. Olaf Christmas
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.
Programming subject to change. See the playlist page for current information.