Asheville.com news: WCQS Public Radio Celebrates 20 Years, Hosts Annual Holiday Programming

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WCQS Public Radio Celebrates 20 Years, Hosts Annual Holiday Programming

WCQS Radio, with its humble beginnings as a 10-watt station on the UNCA campus to the regional station it is today, is celebrating its 20th anniversary. The station recently received approval from the FCC to expand its coverage into Polk County, with additional approval to add new translators in Black Mountain and Bryson City during 2005. The station has also acquired the Mars Hill College radio station, which will allow the creation of a complete second program service.

WCQS has also released its special 2004 holiday programming. The programming has become a much-anticipated tradition at the station, adding numerous seasonal concerts and readings. Listed below are the special programs.

Wednesday, December 8, 11AM � Chanukah in Story and Song � Leonard Nimoy narrates this special of story and song, featuring Ladino songs of Spanish Jews, Yiddish melodies of Eastern Europe, and more, all performed by The Western Wind. The program is one hour.
Sunday, December 12, 6 PM � Chanukah Lights 2004 � Four authors explore Chanukah traditions in original stories. Hosted by Murray Horwitz and Susan Stamberg. The program is one hour.
Monday, December 13, 10 AM � Christmas at El Pardo � A concert of the works of 18th century Spanish composer Antonio Soler performed by the Lyra Baroque Orchestra. The program is one hour.
Monday, December 13, 8 PM � Echoes of Christmas � The annual holiday concert from the renowned Dale Warland Singers. The program is one hour.
Monday, December 20, 10 AM � Christmas with the King�s Singers � The world-famous Choir of King�s College Cambridge in performance at the Cathedral of St. Paul, Minnesota, featuring Ralph Vaughan Williams� �Fantasia on Christmas Carols.� The program is one hour.
Monday, December 20, 9 PM � A Chanticleer Christmas � One of America�s premier vocal ensembles in a concert featuring everything from Renaissance hymns to holiday classics.
Tuesday, December 21, 7 PM � Paul Winter�s Solstice Concert � The annual celebration features the Dmitri Pokrovsky Ensemble, mbira master Chris Berry, and the Paul Winter Consort, performing in New York�s Cathedral of Saint John the Divine. The program is two hours.
Wednesday, December 22, 6 PM � Jonathan Winters� A Christmas Carol � Comedian Jonathan Winters with a distinctive reading of the Dickens classic. The program is one hour.
Wednesday, December 22, 10 AM � Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs � With their traditional mixture of spirituals, carols, and sacred texts, the choirs of Morehouse and Spelman colleges present a magnificent concert. The program is one hour.
Thursday, December 23, 7 PM � Amahl and the Night Visitors � Original cast recording of Gian Carlo Menotti�s holiday opera. The program is one hour.
Thursday, December 23, 8 PM � The Nutcracker � Artur Rodzinski conducts the Royal Philharmonic in this complete version of Tchaikovsky�s beloved classic. The program is one and a half hours.
Friday, December 24, 10 AM � A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols � The annual live broadcast from historic King�s College Chapel in Cambridge, England. The program is one and a half hours.
Friday, December 24, 9 PM � Christmas with Morehouse and Spelman Glee Clubs � A re-broadcast of the magnificent December 22 concert. The program is one hour.
Friday, December 24, 10 PM � Jazz Piano Christmas � A holiday concert from the Kennedy Center, featuring Kenny Barron, Lynne Arriale, and more. The program is one hour.
Saturday, December 25, 8 PM � Close to Home � Don Pedi celebrates the day with an all-holiday version of his program. The program is two hours.
Sunday, December 26, 6 PM � A Season�s Griot: The Trickster � A Kwanzaa special on the many forms and faces of the Trickster in African folklore. The program is one hour.
Friday, December 31, 6 PM � The Capitol Steps New Year�s Special � The annual year-in-review from the Steps. The program is one hour.
Friday, December 31, 8 PM � New Year�s Eve with the New York Philharmonic � The acclaimed orchestra in a New Year�s Eve concert featuring Beethoven�s 9th. The program is two hours.
Friday, December 31, 10 PM � Toast of the Nation � Ring in 2005 with NPR�s annual jazz celebration, beginning with an Apollo Theatre tribute to Ray Charles, featuring Kenny Barron, Regina Carter, Danny Aiello, Diane Schuur, and more. Later, the program goes live to Clarkdale, Mississippi, and Denver, Colorado, for the James Mathus Knockdown Society, the Latin Giants of Jazz, and more.

WCQS transmits from 88.1 FM in Asheville and 91.3 in Franklin, with translators at 89.7 in Clyde, Cullowhee, Waynesville, and Webster, 91.5 in Brevard, Dillsboro, and Sylva, 93.5 in Tryon, 95.3 in Cherokee and Waynesville, and 101.7 in Highlands. For more information, please call the station at 828-253-6875 or 800-768-6698, or visit their web site, www.wcqs.org.

(Images provided by WCQS & www.jonathanwinters.com & www.capsteps.com)