NEWS
Ready, Set, This Week in Davidson: December 20 -26
We might not have snow on Christmas, but that won't dim the holiday spirit in Davidson.
While the calendar is pretty light over the coming weeks, we are including some of the on air highlights from WDAV in the event you simply want to relax with some great hometown classical music.
Friday – December 20
Davidson Branch Library: Special Guest Event: Opera Carolina presents "Noah's Big Opera Dream 2.0"
Dec. 20 @ 10:30 a.m.
Davidson Branch Library
Everyone is singing, and that means it’s time for Family Opera! In the quaint town of Harmonyville lives Noah, who has dreamed of singing at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. A chance encounter with Mozart's music at school propels him into a magical world called “Opera” where his voice knows no bounds. With unwavering determination and the support of loved ones, Noah's dream becomes a reality, inspiring children to chase their dreams against all odds. Noah’s Big Opera Dream 2.0 musical Storytime and Song creation session. This will be an indoor performance, so please register online!
Music at Summit: Basecamp Winter Music Series
Dec. 20 @ 7:00 p.m.
Summit Coffee Stage
Saturday – December 21
Davidson Farmers Market – Holiday Market
Dec 21 @ 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Behind Ben & Jerry’s and Summit
Women’s Basketball vs UNC Charlotte
Dec. 21 @ 12:00 p.m.
John M. Belk Arena
Men’s Basketball vs Bethune Cookman
Dec. 21 @ 5:00 p.m.
John M. Belk Arena
Reel Music: Christmas at the Movies on WDAV
Dec. 21 @ 5:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
The holidays wouldn’t be the same without those cherished Christmas classics—A Christmas Carol (1951), Miracle on 34th Street (1947), It’s a Wonderful Life, White Christmas… Pour a mug of egg nog and enjoy Christmas at the movies on this special edition of Reel Music.
Christmas Lessons and Carols from St. John’s 2024 on WDAV
Dec. 21 @ 6:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. With Charlotte Master Chorale. (An original WDAV production. Rebroadcast.)
Sunday – December 22
Biscuits & Bach: Baroque for Christmas 2024 | 7:00 AM
Dec. 22 @ 7:00 a.m.
89.9 FM
Rachel Stewart shares a selection of Baroque holiday favorites.
Concierto Holiday Special | 6:00 PM
Dec. 22 @ 6:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Feliz Navidad from WDAV’s program celebrating the rich diversity of Hispanic and LatinX classical artists. Tenor Juan Diego Florez sings “O Holy Night” in addition to excerpts from Handel’s Messiah featuring conductor Jordi Saval and the Royal Chamber Choir of Catalonia. There’s also music for a “Spanish Christmas Pageant” by Joaquin Rodrigo. (An original WDAV production).
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Dec. 22 @ 8:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul's Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group's luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
Monday – December 23
Nothing on the calendar at time of publication.
Remember, shop local for all your last-minute holiday shopping needs. Most Davidson retailers will be open.
Tuesday – December 24
Town of Davidson Offices Closed
Holiday Music with Mike McKay
Dec. 24 @ 5:00 a.m.
89.9 FM
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Cambridge [LIVE]
Dec. 24 @ 10:00 a.m.
89.9 FM
The King's College Choir performs the legendary service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal Classical music in the 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. This live broadcast is a perennial favorite of WDAV listeners.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Dec. 24 @ 12:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
One of the nation’s most cherished holiday traditions, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival started in 1912. The program includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Dec. 24 @ 2:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its unique sound to its signature holiday celebration. The centuries-spanning program ranges from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals.
Winter Holidays Around the World with Bill McGlaughlin
Dec. 24 @ 3:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Winter holidays are celebrated around the world, and their music is wonderful to hear, regardless of which tradition you observe. Join Bill McGlaughlin for a variety of holiday selections, many of them less well known. He’ll take you from 12th century music for St. Francis of Assisi’s staging of the Nativity to jazz pianist Dave Brubeck’s evocation of a Mexican Christmas celebration to Polynesian Christmas hymns to selections by Debussy and Vaughan Williams.
NEW! | Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus
Dec. 24 @ 4:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Vocal ensemble Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program features Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Christine Lê’s The Hawai’i Snowman, alongside Mark Twain’s “A Letter from Santa Claus,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and joy of the holiday season.
Welcome, Christmas!
Dec. 24 @ 5:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
This is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Tune in for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Christmas with the Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs
Dec. 24 @ 6:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
One of the great holiday traditions in America, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman Colleges -- two of the most prestigious historically black institutions in the nation -- get together to present a spine-tingling concert program. This encore presentation features the best works of the last several years. It's a joyous celebration of the schools' tradition of singing excellence, with their trademark mixture of spirituals and carols.
NEW! | Carols, Customs and Candlelight: a Celtic Christmas Celebration
Dec. 24 @ 7:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Host Andrea Blain explores music and customs that have roots in ancient winter celebrations and traditional Christmas festivals. The music features classical ensembles and soloists like Apollo’s Fire and Bryn Terfel, as well as traditional instruments like harp, fiddle and mandolin.
NEW! | Gaudete! Early Music for the Christmas Season
Dec. 24 @ 8:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Hear a mixture of joyful and contemplative sounds of the season including Byzantine chant by Kassiani, music by Thomas Tallis, and hymns and motets from Spain, Germany, and France. Performers include The Cardinall’s Musick, Theatre of Voices, Cappella Romana, and Oltremontano.
All Is Bright
Dec. 24 @ 9:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Host Lynne Warfel, offers an hour of gorgeous, contemplative choral music that tells the traditional Christmas story with songs about angels, the star and the manger scene. Featured artists include Cantus, Chanticleer, Cambridge Singers, Bryn Terfel, Emma Kirkby, Jessye Norman, and a variety of choirs.
Holiday Night Music
Dec. 24 @ 10:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Low key holiday favorites with Frank Dominguez.
Wednesday – December 25
Town of Davidson Offices Closed
Holiday Music with Mike McKay
Dec. 25 @ 7:00 a.m.
89.9 FM
Welcome, Christmas!
Dec. 25 @ 12:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
This is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world's premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Tune in for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.
Charlotte Lessons & Carols from St. John’s 2024 - Listen on Demand
Dec. 25 @ 1:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
WDAV’s live holiday broadcast returns with another program of beloved carols and holiday music illuminated by scripture readings. With Charlotte Master Chorale. (An original WDAV production. Re-broadcast)
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Dec. 25 @ 2:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
One of the nation’s most cherished holiday traditions, the St. Olaf Christmas Festival started in 1912. The program includes hymns, carols, choral works, and orchestral selections celebrating the Nativity.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Dec. 25 @ 4:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its unique sound to its signature holiday celebration. The centuries-spanning program ranges from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals.
A Choral Christmas with Stile Antico
Dec. 25 @ 5:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Celebrate Christmas with the sound of soaring voices. Stile Antico, the award-winning choir from London, pays a visit to St. Paul's Church on Harvard Square for a concert of radiant sacred music for the Christmas season by the most acclaimed composers of the renaissance. Hear the group's luminous blend of voices sing the intricately woven music of Thomas Tallis and William Byrd.
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols
Dec. 25 @ 6:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
The King's College Choir performs the legendary service of Biblical readings, carols, and related seasonal classical music in the acoustically and architecturally renowned 500-year-old Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England. This live broadcast is a perennial favorite of WDAV listeners. (Re-broadcast.)
Carols as Home with the Imani Winds
Dec. 25 @ 8:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
“Carols as Home” features a modern take on classic Christmas carols, hosted by Imani Winds founding oboist, Toyin Spellman-Diaz. Toyin coaxes intimate stories of Christmas memories from the members of the ensemble, and why these classic carols are still essential today.
NEW | Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus
Dec. 25 @ 9:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Vocal ensemble Cantus weaves together three holiday stories with time-honored carols and new classics. Blending narration and song, the program features Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol and Christine Lê’s The Hawai’i Snowman, alongside Mark Twain’s “A Letter from Santa Claus,” offering an opportunity to reflect on the meaning and joy of the holiday season.
Christmas Night Music
Dec. 25 @ 10:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Finish Christmas Day with soothing selections for the season. Hosted by Frank Dominguez.
Thursday – December 26
Town of Davidson Offices Closed - Regular business hours will resume Friday, December 27, 2024.
Candles Burning Brightly
Dec. 26 @ 4:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! Lots of music from Jewish communities around the world, plus a hilarious lesson on how to prepare a classic Chanukah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.
The Sounds of Kwanzaa
Dec. 26 @ 5:00 p.m.
89.9 FM
Celebrate Kwanzaa, the holiday that honors Black people and their culture. Host Loki Karuna shares the guiding principles and history of Kwanzaa as well as musical selections by Florence Price, Duke Ellington, and others that highlight the spirit of the holiday.