Bill Raffel previews this week's Christmas music special programming on WBFO.By Bill Raffel, WBFO
Buffalo, NY – With the holidays approaching, WBFO will offer you a two day musical tapestry woven by local musicians. Good morning. I'm Bill Raffel with Music Notes.
There's only one live performance to tell you about. The Freudig Singers will present their Christmas Pie concert one last time, Sunday (12/28)at 4?p.m. in Saint Joseph's University Church on Main Street. Director Roland Martin will lead the choir in some old carols before serving up some fresh pie.
But first be sure to take in all the musical treats on WBFO.
You heard all about the Buffalo Choral Arts Society's Christmas concert a couple of weeks ago on Music Notes. And we're pleased to bring you the entire performance on Wednesday (12/24) at 2?p.m. The program includes a Christmas cantata by Bach and highlights from Handel's Oratorio Messiah.
That's the Buffalo Choral Arts Society, Wednesday at 2?p.m. on WBFO, followed around 3:15 by the American Legion Band of the Tonawandas.
The band recently received quite an honor: an invitation to perform at a prestigious wind festival held every year in New York City's Carnegie Hall. For their Christmas concert this year, Music Director William Wiekert pulled out old favorites such as Leroy Anderson's Sleigh Ride, combined with newer works such as this Overture for a Winter Festival by James Curnow.
We'll bring you highlights from American Legion Band of the Tonawandas Christmas Concert, Wednesday at 3:15?p.m., before the full performance on Thursday (12/25) at 3:30?p.m. following the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols from Saint Paul's Cathedral downtown.
Last week on Music Notes, you had a chance to meet Saint Paul's Interim Organist and Choirmaster Gerald Wheeler, who added his own touches to the service this year. Yes, the traditional scripture lessons, plain chant, and many favorite carols remain. But a new addition was this spirited arrangement of a French carol, Masters in the Hall.
You can hear Nine Lessons on Christmas Eve (12/24) at 6?p.m., then on Christmas Day (12/25) at 2?p.m., right before the American Legion Band Christmas concert. I'm Bill Raffel. Wishing you happy holidays and hoping you can join me for some great music this week on WBFO.