Tune into WQED-FM’s Q the Music station to hear 24/7 local holiday music from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day!
We’ve assembled your commercial free holiday soundtrack featuring a multitude of local ensembles, artists and composers. It’s all local, all the time, and available to you online, on smart speakers and the WQED app.
Every Good Thing
Thursday November 28th, 6-7p.m.
This Thanksgiving, host Andrea Blain and classical music fans from all around the country take time to give thanks and celebrate one of life’s most meaningful gifts: music. It’s Every Good Thing — an hour of stories and music to celebrate Thanksgiving.
This Land: Thanksgiving with The American Sound
Thursday November 28th, 7-8p.m.
This land, the physical land called the United States of America, is home to people of a wide range of ethnicities, cultures, races, creeds and genders. This Thanksgiving Day join host Jennifer Hambrick for a musical celebration of the diversity of this land – the varied natural topographies and biospheres, and the many communities that make this land exceptionally rich.
Songs of Thanks
Thursday November 28th, 8-9p.m.
Join us for “Songs of Thanks,” an innovative new production by Cantus, presented exclusively by Minnesota Public Radio. Through their signature narrative programming, the acclaimed octet will weave together stories and songs celebrating gratitude and community. Don’t miss this special broadcast, designed to uplift the human spirit and honor the season.
The Thanksgiving Visitor
Thursday November 28th, 10-11p.m.
Truman Capote reads his classic – The Thanksgiving Visitor.
CMU Philharmonic Live
Thursday December 5th, 8-10 p.m.
A live broadcast of the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus December concert – live from Carnegie Music Hall. Jordan Holloway conducts “Slalom” by Carter Pann; Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite;” and selections from Handel’s “Messiah.”
Heinz Chapel Choir Live
Friday December 6h, 8:30-10pm
A live broadcast of the Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert from Heinz Chapel, directed by Dr. Susan Rice.
River City Brass Live
Thursday December 12th, 7:30-10pm
A live broadcast of the River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular from Carnegie Music Hall.
Performance in Pittsburgh
Friday December 13th, 7-9 p.m.
A broadcast of the 2023 Pitt Men’s Glee Club Holiday concert. Recorded at First Baptist Church on December 7, 2024.
Pittsburgh Symphony Radio
Wednesday December 18th, 7-9 p.m.
Manfred Honeck conducts the orchestra, soloists and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in Handel’s Messiah.
Polish Christmas Cheer
Friday December 20th, 6-7 p.m
Polish holiday music, hosted by guest announcer Eva Tumiel Kozak.
Performance in Pittsburgh
Friday December 20th, 7-9pm
A broadcast of the 2018 Festival of 9 Lesson and Carols performed at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
In Winter’s Glow
Saturday December 21st, 7-8pm
A winter solstice program, with modern classical sounds for the longest night of the year, chosen especially to compliment the chilly, starry nights of the season.
A Chanticleer Christmas
Tuesday December 24th, 11a-Noon.
The beloved, Grammy-winning men’s chorus brings its “rich, intricately blended sound” (The Washington Post) to its signature holiday celebration. The centuries-spanning program ranges from Renaissance masterworks to roof-raising spirituals.
Jim & Rick Play Holiday Classics
Sunday December 22nd, 2-5pm
Rick Sebak joins Jim Cunningham for 3 hours of holiday music and storytelling.
Pittsburgh Symphony Radio
Sunday December 22nd, 7-9 p.m.
Manfred Honeck conducts the orchestra, soloists and Mendelssohn Choir of Pittsburgh in Handel’s Messiah. (repeat)
Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – Live
Live from Kings College, Cambridge, England
Tuesday December 24th, 10 – noon.
An annual and beloved Christmas tradition, “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” is an extraordinary and memorable live service of word and music from the Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, England.
St. Olaf Christmas Festival
Tuesday December 24th, 12-2 p.m.
For one and a half centuries, St. Olaf has been a hub of connections, knowledge, and growth. And for more than a century, the St. Olaf Christmas festival has been a cherished part of that history. Join us as we celebrate their legacy.
Carols as Home with the Imani Winds
Tuesday December 24th, 6-7pm
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.
Three Tales of Christmas with Cantus
Tuesday December 24th, 7-8pm
In Christmas with Cantus, 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.
YourClassical Christmas Favorites
Tuesday December 24th, 8-9pm
Join us this holiday season as we count down the top christmas songs as voted by you in a new hour-long special.
Welcome Christmas
Tuesday December 24th, 10-11pm
Welcome Christmas is a perennial Christmas favorite from VocalEssence, one of the world’s premier choral ensembles, conducted by Philip Brunelle and G. Phillip Shoultz. Join host Bonnie North for an hour of traditional carols and new discoveries, including including the world premiere of three beloved Latvian carols by composer Ēriks Ešenvalds.
A Christmas Memory
Sunday December 24th, 11pm-midnight
Truman Capote reads this traditional classic.
Home for the Holidays 1
Wednesday December 25th, 6-7am
A holiday special featuring the Eaken Trio.
Jim & Rick Play Holiday Classics (repeat)
Wednesday December 25th, 7-10 a.m.
Rick Sebak joins Jim Cunningham for 3 hours of holiday music and storytelling.
CMU Philharmonic Live (repeat)
Wednesday December 25th, 10-noon
A rebroadcast of the CMU Philharmonic and Chorus December concert – live from Carnegie Music Hall. Jordan Holloway conducts “Slalom” by Carter Pann; Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker Suite;” and selections from Handel’s “Messiah.”
Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday Concert (repeat)
Wednesday December 25th, 12-1:30pm
A rebroadcast of the Heinz Chapel Choir Holiday concert from Heinz Chapel
Pitt Men’s Glee Club (repeat)
Wednesday December 25th, 1:30pm-3p.m
A broadcast of the 2023 Pitt Men’s Glee Club Holiday concert. Recorded at First Baptist Church on December 7, 20234
River City Brass Live (repeat)
Wednesday December 25th, 3-5 p.m.
A rebroadcast of the 2024 River City Brass Christmas Brasstacular from Carnegie Music Hall.
Pittsburgh Concert Chorale
Wednesday December 25th, 5-6pm
WQED-FM’s Anna Singer to take you through the Pittsburgh Concert Chorale’s 2017 Holiday Concert, recorded at Ingomar United Methodist Church.
Home for the Holidays 2
Wednesday December 25th, 6-7pm
A holiday special featuring the Eaken Trio.
All Is Bright
Wednesday December 25th, 10-11pm
Lynne Warfel hosts 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.
A Chanukah Celebration Across the Globe
Thursday December 26th, 8-9 p.m.
Illuminate the Festival of Lights with this fascinating journey into the rich and varied melodic traditions of countries where Jews have lived and worshiped for centuries. This program includes Jewish music from Eastern Europe, the Mediterranean, the Balkans, Central Asia …and Africa! You’ll hear performances from top New York ensembles East of the River, Shashmaqam, and the Marty Levitt Klezmer Orchestra – plus a recording of the astounding Jewish community of Putti Village, in Uganda.
A Chanukah Celebration with Chicago A Cappella
Friday December 27th, 6-7 p.m.
This inspiring and informative program features choral music set to Chanukah texts. Heartfelt original compositions by American and British composers provided added depth of expression to celebrating the holiday.
Chanukah in Story and Song 2023
Monday December 30th, 7-8 p.m.
Leonard Nimoy and the Western Wind with a musical celebration spanning Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies from Europe, and modern Israeli tunes.
A Taste of Chanukah
Monday December 30th, 8-9pm
Theodore Bikel hosts a joyous Chanukah concert for the whole family, with traditional and contemporary storytelling and music from more than 150 musicians of the New England Conservatory and Boston Community Choir.
Candles Burning Brightly
Tuesday December 31st, 7-8 p.m.
A delightful hour for everyone to celebrate the Jewish Festival of Lights! There is lots of music from Jewish communities worldwide, a hilarious lesson on preparing a classic Hanukkah dish, and a timeless and touching holiday story that brings light into every home.
Chanukah Memories and Melodies
Friday December 31st, 8-9 p.m.
A new special featuring interviews with artists and public personalities about their Chanukah memories grounded in the music tied to their holiday memories. Guests include cellist Alisa Weilerstein, Broadway actress Tovah Feldshuh, Sephardic music expert and flutist Daphna Mor, musician and Yiddish musicologist Henry Sapoznik, poet, musician and author Aaron Dworkin, and Eric Jacobsen, artistic director of The Knights.
Itzhak Perlman’s Chanukah Radio Party
Wednesday January 1, 6-7 p.m.
Join the superstar violinist as he tells the story of the Jewish festival of lights, and shares his favorite recordings for the holiday – some serious, some silly. This engaging one-hour special includes numbers from Itzhak Perlman’s radio-addicted childhood in Israel; evocative songs in Yiddish and Ladino; classical music that revolves around the Maccabee heroes of the story; and Chanukah gems by American folk singers.