"A Baylor Christmas" Concert to Air on TV Stations in 25 States
2019 concert featuring Combined Choirs and Baylor Symphony Orchestra celebrates Christmas in music and song
Media Contact: Lori Fogleman, Baylor University Media and Public Relations, 254-709-5959Follow us on Twitter: @BaylorUMedia
WACO, Texas (Dec. 16, 2020) – Beginning on Dec. 20 and through the Christmas holidays, KWTX Television will broadcast the premiere of "A Baylor Christmas," the University's annual Christmas concert recorded in 2019 that features performances of the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and combined choirs of the Baylor University School of Music.
The Christmas concert special will air on KWTX-TV and its CW affiliate on Sunday, Dec. 20, Thursday, Dec. 24 and Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and on six Gray Television stations throughout Texas and 49 other affiliates during the holidays. (See the broadcast schedule below. Check local listings to confirm dates/times.) The program also will be available for streaming on Dec. 21 on Baylor's YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/baylor.
The concert, which has heralded the arrival of Christmas at Baylor for nearly 50 years, features the talent of more than 450 Baylor students and faculty, including the Baylor Symphony Orchestra and five choirs of the Baylor choral program: Women's Choir, Concert Choir, Men's Choir, Bella Voce and A Cappella Choir. In 2019, the School of Music and KWTX made the decision to record the performance of that year's concert for a television premiere on KWTX and its Gray affiliates in the Christmas season of 2020.
"Little did we know that our world would face the current global pandemic and that there would be no in-person concert in 2020," said Lynne Gackle, Ph.D., director of choral activities, professor of ensembles and The Mary Gibbs Jones Chair in the Baylor School of Music. "However, we are thrilled that KWTX will premiere 'A Baylor Christmas' 2019 locally and on Gray Television affiliates nationwide this Christmas season. We invite the Baylor Family and viewers throughout the country to revel in the spectacular music this Christmas in 2020, which will touch hearts and lighten spirits as we celebrate the birth of our Savior."
During sold-out performances in 2019, KWTX Television captured the brilliant voices and music that resounded throughout Jones Concert Hall on the Baylor campus. This year, KWTX provided Gray TV affiliates with 30-minute and 60-minute versions of the program, which enabled more affiliates to broadcast the concert.
"A Baylor Christmas" features "Paulus, Op. 36 – Overture" by Felix Mendelssohn performed by the Baylor Symphony, leading into the ever-popular candlelight processional that proclaims the birth of Christ, as the combined choirs sing "The First Nowell," arranged by Mack Wilberg, and "Ring Out, Ye Crystal Spheres (from Hodie) by Ralph Vaughan Williams.
The Baylor Women's Choir performs "In dulco jubilo" (from A Celebration of Christmas) by Karl Jenkins. Taking the stage next are four choirs: the Baylor Concert Choir singing "Sing We Now of Christmas," arranged by Fred Prentice, and "All Praise to Thee" by Elaine Hagenberg; the Baylor Men's Choir performing "Let There Be Light" by Craig Courtney; Bella Voce singing "What Sweeter Music" by Eleanor Daley and the traditional French carol "Pat-a-pan" arranged by David Conte; and the A Cappella Choir performing "All My Heart This Night Rejoices" by Z. Randall Stroope.
The Baylor Symphony returns to play Tchaikovsky's "Waltz of the Flowers" (from The Nutcracker), followed by the Combined Choirs joining together for "Silent Night" by Franz Grüber, with a special arrangement by Dan Forrest commissioned by the Baylor School of Music for the 2019 performance. To conclude the program, the choir will perform another well-known carol, "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" by Mendelssohn, also arranged by Forrest.
"This award-winning Central Texas musical tradition is sure to bring tidings of comfort and joy to families everywhere," said Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. "We know that this year, the Christmas message of hope is more fitting than ever. As 2020 finally comes to an end, let us reflect on the message of peace, hope and love that marks the Christmas season."
Texas Broadcast Schedule
Check local listings to confirm airtimes.
Waco-Temple-Killeen, Texas
Sunday Dec. 20, Midnight CT, (KWTX), 3 p.m. CT (CW12)
Christmas Eve, 9:30 p.m. CT (CW12), 10:35 p.m. CT (KWTX-TV)
Christmas Day, 6 a.m. CT (KWTX), 8 a.m. CT (CW12)
Bryan-College Station, Texas
Christmas Eve, 9 p.m. CT (NBTX-TV), 10:35 p.m. CT (KBTX-TV)
Christmas Day, 5 a.m. CT (KBTX-TV)
Amarillo, Texas
Christmas Eve, 11:05 p.m. CT (KFDA-TV)
Christmas Day, 9:30 a.m. (KFDA-TV), 11:30 a.m. CT (KZBZ-TV)
Laredo, Texas
KGNS-TV, NGNS-TV. Check local listings.
Odessa, Texas
KOSA-TV, NOSA-TV, KCWO-TV. Check local listings.
Sherman, Texas
Christmas Day, 5 a.m. CT (FXII-TV)
New Year's Day, 6 a.m. CT (KXII-TV)
Tyler-Lufkin, Texas
Christmas Day, 11 a.m. CT (KLTV-TV)
"A Baylor Christmas" also will air on the following Gray Television stations in these states. (Check local listings to confirm airtimes.)
Alaska
Anchorage, AK
Christmas Day, 4 p.m. (KYES-TV), 6 p.m. (KTUU-TV)
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/programming/schedule/
Fairbanks, AK
Christmas Day, 5 p.m. (KXDF-TV), 6:30 p.m. and 11 p.m. (KTVF-TV)
https://www.webcenterfairbanks.com/programming/schedule/
Juneau, AK
Christmas Day, 4 p.m. KYEX-TV, 6 p.m. KATH-TV
https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/programming/schedule/
Arizona
Tucson, AZ
Dec. 19, 9:30 p.m. (KOLD-TV)
https://www.kold.com/programming/schedule/
Colorado
Colorado Springs, CO
KKTV-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.kktv.com/programming/schedule/
Georgia
Augusta, Georgia
Christmas Day, 4 a.m., 6 a.m. (WRDW-TV)
https://www.wrdw.com/programming/schedule/
Florida
Panama City, FL
Christmas Eve, 10 p.m. (WJHG-TV)
Christmas Day, 11 a.m. (WJHG-TV)
https://www.wjhg.com/programming/schedule/
Sarasota, FL
Dec. 27, 12:30 p.m. (WWSB-TV)
https://www.mysuncoast.com/programming/schedule/
Tallahassee, FL
Christmas Day, 4 p.m. (WCTV-TV)
https://www.wctv.tv/programming/schedule/
West Palm Beach, FL
Christmas Day, 7 a.m. (WFLX-TV)
https://www.wflx.com/programming/schedule/
Idaho
Twin Falls, ID
KMVT-TV, KSVT-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.kmvt.com/programming/schedule/
Illinois
Rockford, IL
Christmas Day, 4:30 a.m., 6 a.m. (WIFR-TV)
https://www.wifr.com/programming/schedule/
Iowa
Cedar Rapids, IA
Christmas Day, 4:30 a.m. (KCRG-TV), noon (NCRG-TV)
https://www.kcrg.com/programming/schedule/
Ottumwa, IA
Dec. 19, 5:30 a.m. (NYOU-TV), 11 a.m., 3:30 p.m. (KYOU-TV)
https://www.kyoutv.com/programming/schedule/
Kansas
Topeka, KS
WIBW-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wibw.com/programming/schedule/
Wichita/Hutchinson, KS
KWCH-TV, KSCW-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.kwch.com/programming/schedule/
Kentucky
Bowling Green, KY
WBKO-TV, EBKO-TV, GBKO-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wbko.com/programming/schedule/
Hazard, KY
Dec. 18, Dec. 23, 7:30 p.m. (WYMT-TV)
https://www.wymt.com/programming/schedule/
Louisiana
Alexandria, LA
Dec. 20, noon (OALB-TV)
Christmas Eve, 6:30 p.m. (NALB-TV), 10:35 p.m. (KALB-TV)
Christmas Day, 5 a.m., 4 p.m. (KALB-TV)
https://www.kalb.com/programming/schedule/
Baton Rouge, LA
WAFB. WBHX. Check local listings.
https://www.wafb.com/programming/
Monroe, LA
Christmas Day, 5a.m. (KNOE-TV)
https://www.knoe.com/programming/schedule/
Michigan
Lansing, MI
Christmas Eve, 2 a.m. (WILX-TV)
https://www.wilx.com/programming/schedule/
Mississippi
Hattiesburg, MS
WDAM-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wdam.com/programming/schedule/
Jackson, MS
WLBT-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wlbt.com/programming/schedule/
Meridian, MS
WTOK-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wtok.com/programming/schedule/
Missouri
Springfield, MO
Christmas Eve, 10:30 p.m. (KYTV-TV)
https://www.ky3.com/programming/schedule/
North Carolina
Charlotte, NC
Christmas Day, 7 p.m. (WBTV-TV)
https://www.wbtv.com/programming/schedule/
Wilmington, NC
WECT-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.wect.com/programming/schedule/
North Dakota
Bismarck-Minot, ND
Dec. 20, 4:30 p.m. (KNDX-TV)
Christmas Day, 4 p.m. (KFYR-TV)
Dec. 26, noon (KNDX-TV)
https://www.kfyrtv.com/programming/schedule/
Fargo, ND
KVLY-TV, KXJB-TV. Check local listings.
https://www.valleynewslive.com/programming/schedule/
Nebraska
Lincoln, NE
Christmas Day, 6 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (KSNB-TV)
Jan. 2, 2021, 2 p.m. (KSNB-TV)
https://www.ksnblocal4.com/programming/schedule/
North Platte, NE
Christmas Day, 6 a.m., 11:30 a.m. (KSNB-TV)
Jan. 2, 2021, 2 p.m. (KSNB-TV)
https://www.ksnblocal4.com/programming/schedule/
Ohio
Cincinnati, OH
Christmas Day, 9 a.m. (WXIX-TV)
Dec. 26, 1 a.m. (WXIX-TV)
https://www.fox19.com/programming/schedule/
Cleveland, OH
Christmas Day, 4:30 a.m. (WOIO-TV), 6 a.m. (WUAB-TV)
https://www.cleveland19.com/programming/schedule/
Toledo, OH
Dec. 20, 1 p.m. (WTVG-TV)
https://www.13abc.com/programming/schedule/
South Carolina
Greenville-New Bern, SC
Christmas Day, 2 a.m., 4:30 a.m. (WITN-TV)
https://www.witn.com/programming/schedule/
Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
Christmas Day, 5 p.m. (WVIR-TV)
https://www.nbc29.com/programming/schedule/
Harrisonburg, VA
Christmas Day, 7 a.m. (WSVF-TV), 6 p.m. (WHSV-TV)
https://www.whsv.com/programming/schedule/
Richmond, VA
Christmas Day, 4:30 a.m. (WWBT-TV)
https://www.nbc12.com/programming/schedule/
Roanoke, VA
Christmas Day, 6 a.m. (WDBJ-TV), Jan. 1, 2021, 8 a.m. (WZBJ-TV)
https://www.wdbj7.com/programming/schedule/
Vermont
Burlington, VT
Christmas Day, 6:30 p.m. (WCAX-TV)
https://www.wcax.com/programming/schedule/
West Virginia
Charleston-Huntington, WV
Christmas Day, 5 p.m. (WSAZ-TV)
https://www.wsaz.com/programming/schedule/
Clarksburg, WV
Dec. 26, 1 p.m. (WVFX-TV)
Jan. 2, 2021, noon (WDTV-TV, WVFX-TV)
https://www.wdtv.com/programming/schedule/
Wisconsin
Green Bay, WI
Christmas Day, noon (WBAYTV)
https://www.wbay.com/page/programming/
LaCrosse, WI
Dec. 19, 6 a.m. (WEAU-TV)
https://www.weau.com/programming/schedule/
Wausau, WI
Christmas Eve, 9 p.m. (WZAW-TV), 10 p.m. (WSAW-TV)
Christmas Day, 5 a.m., 5 p.m. (WSAW-TV)
https://www.wsaw.com/programming/schedule/
Wyoming
Casper, WY
Christmas Eve, 10 p.m. (KCWY-TV)
https://www.wyomingnewsnow.tv/programming/schedule
Cheyenne, WY
Christmas Day, 5:30 p.m. (KGWN-TV)
https://www.wyomingnewsnow.tv/programming/schedule/
ABOUT BAYLOR UNIVERSITY
Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked research institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 19,000 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 90 countries to study a broad range of degrees among its 12 nationally recognized academic divisions.
ABOUT THE BAYLOR UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF MUSIC
The Baylor University School of Music provides transformational experiences that prepare students for careers in music. 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, 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. Baylor's School of Music is a member of the National Association of Schools of Music and the Texas Association of Music Schools. Degree programs include bachelor's and master's degrees in performance, music education and academic majors, as well as doctoral degrees in church music. Degrees leading to the Bachelor of Music Education conform to certification requirements of the Texas Education Agency. Visit www.baylor.edu/music to learn