“A Baylor Christmas” Musical Special to Air on TV Stations in 10 States

Annual concert featuring combined choirs and orchestra celebrates Christmas in music and song

Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, 254-710-6275

Follow Lori on Twitter at @LoriBaylorU
Follow Baylor Media Communications on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia

WACO, Texas (Dec. 17, 2015) – "A Baylor Christmas," an hour-long program created from the performances of the orchestra and combined choirs of the Baylor University School of Music, will air on Gray Television stations throughout Texas and nine other states during the Christmas holidays.

"A Baylor Christmas" also is available for viewing on the university's YouTube page: https://www.youtube.com/baylor/.

For nearly 50 years, the combined choirs and orchestra of Baylor University have heralded the arrival of Christmas in joyful expectation. During sold-out performances Dec. 3 and 4, the student voices of Baylor's combined choirs resounded throughout the university's Jones Concert Hall as they performed traditional favorites. The television broadcast features Baylor President and Chancellor Ken Starr, who will introduce the various selections from the concert.

"We are thrilled with the production of 'A Baylor Christmas' and are eager to share with viewers our students' performances of some of the most beloved music of the Christmas season," said Alan Raines, D.M.A., The Mary Gibbs Jones Professor of Music and director of choral activities at Baylor. "Baylor has a long tradition of celebrating Christmas in both music and song, and the School of Music is honored to be able to provide a musical gift this Christmas. We are grateful to KWTX for helping to bring this music to our community and Baylor Nation."

Produced for broadcast by KWTX-TV, a Gray Television station, and the Baylor School of Music, "A Baylor Christmas" will air on the following stations and dates (check local TV listings for schedule updates):

KWTX-TV, Waco-Temple-Killeen, Texas

• 6 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 20
  6 p.m. and 10:35 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  6 a.m. and 3 p.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

NWTX-TV (CW-12), Waco-Temple-Killeen, Texas

• 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 19
  Noon Sunday, Dec. 20
  9 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  Midnight and 8 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

KBTX-TV, Bryan-College Station, Texas

• Noon Sunday, Dec. 20
  11:35 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  4 p.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

NBTX-TV (CW-8), Bryan-College Station, Texas

• Noon Sunday, Dec. 20

KOSA-TV/NOSA-TV, Odessa/Midland, Texas

• 7 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (NOSA)
  6:30 a.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 (KOSA)

KNOE-TV/KAQY-TV/NNOE-TV, Monroe, LA

• Noon Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 (NNOE)
  11:35 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 (KNOE)
  6 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (KNOE)
  11:30 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 (KAQY)

KALB-TV, Alexandria, LA

• 6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (KALB-TV, Ch. 25)
  9 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (KALB-TV, Ch. 2)

WIBW-TV, Topeka, KS

• 11:37 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24

KEVN-TV/KIVV-TV, Rapid City, SD

• 6 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25
  Additional airings TBA

WYMT-TV/EYMT-TV, Hazard, KY

• 7 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 (WYMT)
  10 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25 (EYMT)

WEAU-TV, Eau Claire, WI

• 10:35 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  6 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

WJHG-TV, Panama City, FL

• 10 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  6 a.m. and 11 a.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

WTOK-TV/ETOK-TV, Meridian, MS

• Noon Saturday, Dec. 19 (ETOK)
  12:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 20 (WTOK)
  4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 27 (WTOK)

KKTV-TV/KKTV-DT2, Colorado Springs, CO

• 11:35 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24 (KKTV)
  9 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 26 (KKTV-DT2)

KCWY-TV, Casper, WY

• 10 p.m. Christmas Eve, Thursday, Dec. 24
  Noon and 5 p.m. Christmas Day, Friday, Dec. 25

KGNS-TV, Laredo, TX

• Broadcast schedule TBA

Featured in this year's "A Baylor Christmas" special are students in Baylor's A Cappella Choir (Alan Raines, conductor), Concert Choir (Lynne Gackle, conductor), Bella Voce (Lynne Gackle, conductor), Men's Choir (C. Randall Bradley, conductor), Women's Choir (Stephen Gusukuma, conductor) and Baylor Symphony Orchestra (Stephen Heyde, conductor).

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution, characterized as having "high research activity" by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching. The University provides a vibrant campus community for approximately 16,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions. Baylor sponsors 19 varsity athletic teams and is a founding member of the Big 12 Conference.

ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC

The Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. Our students thrive in a Christian environment characterized by a nurturing resident faculty, an unwavering pursuit of musical excellence, a global perspective, dedication to service, and devotion to faith. They investigate the rich musical and cultural heritage of the past, develop superior musical skills and knowledge in the present, and explore and create new modes of musical expression for the future. While preparing for future leadership roles, the students join with School of Music faculty in enhancing the quality of community life, enriching the larger culture and making Baylor a place in which heart, mind and soul coalesce. The Baylor School of Music is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs leading to the bachelor of music education degree conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency.