On December 23, 1974 WXXI-FM 91.5 hit the air as a holiday present to the Rochester community. With a mixed service that included local programming, music, and some NPR offerings, it was the first public media radio station in the city. Now, 50 years later, classical music dominates FM 91.5, providing the region with its only full-time classical music station. We invite you to take a trip down memory lane with WXXI Classical Program Director Ruth Phinney, who captures special moments from the past five decades in her blog. Click here to check it out.
Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story • WXXI-WORLD
The life and legacy of Jewish theologian and philosopher Abraham Joshua Heschel.
Spiritual Audacity: The Abraham Joshua Heschel Story airs Saturday, December 21 at 11 p.m. on WXXI-WORLD.
Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel fled Nazi Germany to became “an authoritative voice not only in the Jewish community but in the religious life of America.” His book, “The Prophets” inspired Martin Luther King, Jr. to invite him to take a roll in the Civil Rights Movement. Heschel was an outspoken critic of the Vietnam War, an advocate for Soviet Jewry and a pioneer of interfaith dialogue.
Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2024 • WXXI-TV
It’s Christmas 1969, and the funfair and carol concert add color to frosty Poplar.
Call The Midwife Holiday Special 2024 airs Wednesday, December 25 at 8 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
Yet, the festive spirit at Nonnatus House is dampened by the spread of influenza alongside growing fears of an escaped prisoner after a spate of break-ins.
Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah • WXXI-TV
Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece “The Messiah” is reimagined and infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B.
Too Hot to Handel: The Gospel Messiah airs Sunday, December 22 at 1 p.m. on WXXI-TV
Handel’s 18th-century masterpiece “The Messiah” is reimagined by Conductor Marin Alsop and colleagues Bob Christianson and Gary Anderson. Handel’s arias, choruses, and orchestration are infused with Gospel, Jazz, and R&B, creating an uplifting reinterpretation of this seasonal favorite. “Too Hot To Handel: The Gospel Messiah” has been seen regularly across the United States since its premiere in New York in 1993. This performance in front of nearly 5,000 people at London’s Royal Albert Hall marks its European premiere. Presented by choirmaster and broadcaster Gareth Malone, the program sees The BBC Concert Orchestra joined by The BBC Symphony Chorus and The London Adventist Chorale, along with soloists Vanessa Haynes and Zwakele Tshabalala.
Photo: Singer Vanessa Haynes on stage/Credit: Michael O’Halloran, BBC Studios
A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society • WXXI-TV
The Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra performs a beloved Central Florida Tradition.
A Classic Christmas with the Bach Festival Society airs Tuesday, December 24 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
A Classic Christmas is a beloved Central Florida tradition. From the beautiful Knowles Memorial Chapel on the campus of Rollins College, the Bach Festival Choir and Orchestra, along with guest soloists Mary Wilson and Stephen Mumbert, as well as the Bach Festival Children’s Choir, perform custom arrangements of treasured holiday classics created specifically for this joyous celebration.
Sesame Street Career Exploration Games
A Job for Me
Learn more about jobs with Elmo and Abby as they visit different locations in their neighborhood and try the tasks related to the jobs they see. Support young children by expanding their knowledge of the work that people do in their community by having them explore jobs and try some of the job activities through these interactive games from Sesame Street and PBS KIDS.
Elmo & Grover’s Farm Time Fun
Get ready for a barnyard adventure with Elmo and Grover in “Farm Time Fun” where Elmo and Grover learn what happens on a farm and help out with the work.
Cookie Monster’s Foodie Truck Game
Cookie Monster and chef Gonger make a variety of foods in their foodie truck. Some of the ingredients are missing so you need to go with them to gather the needed ingredients and follow the recipe to make food for your Sesame Street customers.
Super Salad Diner
You work in the Super Salad Diner with Ernie & Burt. Can you finish making the salads in the kitchen and keep up with all the orders?
Play Together
Pretend to do different jobs at home is a great way for your child to use their imagination and build vocabulary. Run a restaurant where your child chooses a job such as server, chef, kitchen staff, cashier, etc. Play store or train station, health clinic, library, laudromat, etc.
Talking About Jobs You Observe with Your Child
When you go stores, buy food, go to health care settings, ride on public transportation, get your car serviced, drive by farms or other industries, talk about the what you see and ask your child questions about what takes place there and what kind of jobs people have there.
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas • WXXI-TV
Much loved home cook Dame Mary Berry travels to her mother’s homeland, Scotland, for a magical winter break.
Mary Berry’s Highland Christmas airs Monday, December 23 at 9 p.m. on WXXI-TV.
Much loved home cook Dame Mary Berry travels to her mother’s homeland Scotland for a magical winter break. Inspired by her own family holidays, she cooks up an array of sumptuous dishes. She’s joined by friends Andy Murray, Iain Stirling and Emeli Sandé to cook indulgent Christmas dishes that can be enjoyed anytime over the holidays.
Mary begins her journey on a steam train, heading off into the beautiful Highlands.
After settling into her cozy holiday kitchen, Mary kicks things off creating a spectacular Christmas Cranachan wreath, combining the traditional Scottish dessert with a pavlova twist.
Mary takes a trip to tennis player Andy Murray’s hotel in Dunblane to catch up with him and his Granny, where they cook classic breakfast dish Kedgeree and tease Andy about his culinary skills.
Back at the cottage, Mary rustles up the perfect festive canape for any time of day with smoked salmon and guacamole, followed by her Fennel and red onion tarte tatin accompanied with a raw winter veg slaw.
Iain Stirling attempts to herd some reindeer while Mary rustles up an indulgent Christmas fondue with a twist; it uses the classic leftovers from the big day – proving her theory that everything tastes better with melted cheese, especially pigs in blankets. Back at the cottage, Mary makes her ‘Happy Christmas Pie’ with Aberdeen Angus beef and pickled walnuts. Then it’s off to a traditional ceilidh, where she makes her classic mulled wine for the revelers.
Inspired by her years spent working in the alps as a chalet girl, Mary makes her festive stollen, perfect at any time over the season.
Aberdeenshire-raised singer, Emeli Sandé, pops in to help Mary make her classic Buche de Noel, before surprising her with some visitors – a carol singing choir, performing outside the cottage in the snow.
Mountain Stage, presented by The Route & Eastman School of Music • Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Join us as Mountain Stage “hits the road” for a live show!
For 40 years, Mountain Stage has been an institution, standing as one of the most beloved and enduring programs in public radio history, broadcasting thousands of unforgettable live performances by rising stars and veteran legends alike. Each two-hour episode of Mountain Stage is recorded in front of a live audience and features a variety of musical styles in genres ranging from traditional roots, folk, blues, americana and country to indie rock, alternative, global music, and beyond. Some of their most iconic guests over the years have included John Prine, Odetta, Wilco, R.E.M., Angélique Kidjo, Phish, Mavis Staples, Allen Toussaint, Alison Krauss, Townes Van Zandt, Patti Smith, Allen Ginsberg, Miriam Makeba, Dr. John, Buddy Guy, and recently Josh Ritter, St. Paul & the Broken Bones, Amythyst Kiah, and Bela Fleck & Abigail Washburn.
Mountain Stage with Kathy Mattea
Presented by The Route and Eastman School of Music
Friday, March 21, 2025 at 7 p.m.
Kodak Hall at Eastman Theatre
Mountain Stage is produced by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and distributed by NPR Music. It airs Sundays at 2 p.m. on The Route.