The BBC has announced a range of religious programming which will air across its national and local radio stations throughout this year’s festive period.
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 Young Chorister of the Year 2020 – BBC Radio 2, 6 December, 9-10pm
The final of the very first joint BBC Radio 2 and Songs of Praise Young Chorister of the Year 2020 competition.
From Gorton Monastery in Manchester, the Revd Kate Bottley with Katherine Jenkins and Aled Jones, help expert judges John Rutter, Laura Wright and Carl Jackson, identify the winner and honourably mentioned Choristers.
Chosen from hundreds of entries, five talented girl and five talented boy choristers hope to impress and go through to the final.
As it’s the second Sunday of Advent, six of the best girl and boy choristers in the UK perform their chosen Christmas carol or song.
The competition, now in its 34th year of broadcast on Radio 2, celebrates young talent singing in churches, chapels, cathedrals and beyond.
The programme includes a performance of O Holy Night from Aled Jones, Katherine Jenkins and all the finalists.
Presenter: Revd. Kate Bottley
Producer: Katharine Longworth for BBC Audio
Good Morning Christmas – BBC Radio 2, 25 December, 8-10am
Revd Kate Bottley helps the nation celebrate a rather different Christmas morning with carols and Christmas wishes from the stars. With a specially curated mix of fabulous festive songs and sing-a-long carols, Kate will have the perfect soundtrack for Christmas morning, whatever Christmas looks like for listeners this year.
She’ll be reflecting on the story of Christmas, connecting the nation through listeners’ messages, and hearing from some of our most beloved stars and national treasures with their Christmas messages for those tuning in today.
Presenter: Revd Kate Bottley
Producer: Rebecca Maxted for BBC Audio
Mica’s Gospel Christmas – BBC Radio 2, 25 December
Gospel was my first musical love, so I’m thrilled that I’ll be sharing my favourite gospel songs with Radio 2 listeners on Christmas Day morning.
— Mica Paris
Soul diva Mica Paris returns to her gospel roots on Christmas morning. Mica’s love of music started with the gospel records played at home by her family and the music she heard in church, where her singing talent was discovered and nurtured. She returns to some of the first records that moved her, to curate the perfect soundtrack for an uplifting Christmas morning.
Mica explored the revival of gospel music in pop earlier this year in her BBC TV documentary The Story of Gospel in Six Songs, and has now recorded her first ever gospel album.
Mica says: “Gospel was my first musical love, so I’m thrilled that I’ll be sharing my favourite gospel songs with Radio 2 listeners on Christmas Day morning.”
From the Edwin Hawkin Singers to The Kingdom Choir, via The Clarke Sisters, Reverend Al Green, Mary Mary, Aretha Franklin and Mariah Carey, Mica presents Christmas classics and rare gospel gems that stir the soul and get the Christmas celebrations started.
Presenter: Mica Paris
Producer: Rebecca Maxted for BBC Audio
BBC Radio 3
A Service for Advent, with Carols – BBC Radio 3, 29 November, 3-4.30pm
Live from the Chapel of St John’s College, Cambridge , with Director of Music Andrew Nethsingha, Assistant Organist James Anderson-Besant, and Herbert Howells Organ Scholar George Herbert, BBC Radio 3 broadcasts the annual musical celebration of Advent with its four sections, reflecting the season’s growing anticipation, both of the first coming of Christ and of that Day when the prayer ‘Thy Kingdom come’ is finally and fully answered.
Producer: Ben Collingwood for BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 Breakfast Christmas Carol Competition – BBC Radio 3, 10-18 December
Now in its seventh year, the popular annual fixture of the Radio 3 Christmas schedule invited applications in all musical styles for the first time.
Aspiring composers were encouraged to submit tunes of any musical style, from classical to jazz, gospel, and more, and entrants could submit either a traditional written score or upload a video or audio recording.
The only requirement was to set verses from Paul Laurence Dunbar’s hope-filled seasonal poem Christmas Carol.
The 2020 competition received a record volume of entries in a wide variety of musical styles.
A team of judges including The Kingdom Choir founder, conductor and workshop leader Karen Gibson; composer and choral director Ken Burton; opera icon bass-baritone Bryn Terfel; organist Anna Lapwood; jazz singer and broadcaster Clare Teal; among others are now shortlisting the tunes to the final six in a blind-judging process.
Singer, composer and arranger Clare Wheeler – a former member of vocal group The Swingles – will mentor the six finalists through the second phase of the competition, guiding them on the journey from an initial score or voice recording to a fully-arranged piece.
The six carols, in their final form, will then be recorded by the BBC Singers and Principal Guest Conductor Bob Chilcott and played across Radio 3 from 10 December, with members of the public invited to vote for their favourite carol online.
The vote closes on 17 December and the winner will be revealed during the Radio 3 Breakfast show and online on 18 December.
European Broadcasting Union: Christmas Around the World – BBC Radio 3, 20 December, 9am-11pm
A day-long festival of Christmas and singing from across Europe and Canada in the European Broadcasting Union’s annual Christmas music day.
In a year where singing in choirs has largely been curtailed due to the global pandemic, choirs and orchestras come together in socially distant performances of music that celebrates the joy of singing and the wonder of Christmas.
Presented by Sara Mohr-Pietsch and Andrew McGregor
Choral Evensong – BBC Radio 3, 23 December, 3.30pm
From the Chapel of Royal Holloway, University of London
The BBC Singers explore the Christmas story through the eyes of 20th and 21st century composers.
From Messiaen’s 1935 exploration of the birth of Christ to more contemporary carols from composers such as Toby Young, Errollyn Wallen, Roderick Williams and Sally Beamish, the ensemble provide Radio 3 with a range of religious choral music for the festive season
Rupert Gough (Director of Music)
George Nicholls (Organ Scholar)
BBC Singers
The BBC Singers live from the Temple Church, London – BBC Radio 3, 10 December, 2pm
The BBC Singers live from the Temple Church, London, with Ashley Grote performing Messiaen’s work for organ, exploring the birth of Christ. Presented by Emma Cleobury
Messiaen: La Nativité du Seigneur, interspersed with thematically related choral works.
BBC Singers
Nicholas Chalmers, conductor
Ashley Grote, organ
Contemporary Christmas Carols with Readings – BBC Radio 3, 22 December, 2pm
Sofi Jeannin directs the BBC Singers in a concert of carols from the late 20th and 21st centuries, interspersed with poetry reflecting the Christmas story.
BBC Singers
Ashley Grote, organ
Sofi Jeannin, conductor
BBC National Orchestra of Wales
Carols for Christmas with BBC NOW – BBC Radio Wales, 25 December, midnight
A best of programme looking back through BBC National Orchestra of Wales’ Carols for Christmas archive.
Repeated on Friday 25 December at 6am on BBC Radio Wales
Christmas Classics from Around the World – BBC Radio Wales, 24 December, 9pm
A studio concert recorded without an audience and with a socially distanced BBC National Orchestra of Wales exploring Christmas music and traditions around the world.
Repeated on Friday 25 December at 2pm on BBC Radio Wales
BBC Radio 4
Faith In Music – BBC Radio 4 – 7, 14, 21 and 28 December, 4-4.30pm
Catholic composer Sir James MacMillan considers the faith lives of four very different composers.
Over the centuries, composers have created musical masterpieces which many listeners have come to regard as spiritual touchstones.
For example, Tallis’s motet Spem in alium, Wagner’s opera Parsifal, Elgar’s oratorio The Dream of Gerontius, Bernstein’s Mass.
But what did these composers actually believe about God, faith, compassion, an afterlife and redemption? And do we need to share these beliefs in any way, to have a spiritual experience as listeners to their music?
Producer: Rosie Boulton
A Must Try Softer Production for BBC Radio 4
Beyond Belief – BBC Radio 4, 21 December, 4.30-5pm
Christmas is often a time of celebration and reflection. A time of sitting by the Christmas tree, eating and drinking, spending time with loved ones and for Christians reflecting on the birth of Jesus.
His mother Mary is a highly revered figure in both Christianity and Islam.
The iconic pose of the Madonna and Child is celebrated in art but we are told very little about her in the Bible.
Joining Ernie Rea to discuss the Virgin Mary is Prof Tina Beattie, Director of the Catherine of Sienna College, the University of Roehampton; Mona Siddiqui, Professor of Islamic and Interreligious Studies at the University of Edinburgh; and His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos, Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London.
Producer: Amanda Hancox for BBC Radio 4
A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols – BBC Radio 4, 24 December, 3-4.30pm
For millions listening on radio and online around the world, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, live from the candlelit Chapel of King’s College, Cambridge, marks the beginning of Christmas.
It is based around nine Bible readings which tell the story of the loving purposes of God. They are interspersed with carols old and new, sung by the world-famous chapel choir.
In a normal year the choir would also lead the congregation in traditional Christmas hymns, but this Christmas Eve there will be no congregation present.
With Covid restrictions and the need for social distancing within the choir, a number of new arrangements have been made which capitalise on the rare opportunity to hear these ever popular hymns in versions for choir only.
As is so often the case, this year’s service marks the musical contribution (through their arrangements and descants) of several former Directors of Music, including Sir David Willcocks, Sir Philip Ledger and Sir Stephen Cleobury, as well as the current Director, Daniel Hyde.
Significant twentieth century composer Elizabeth Poston features in the service, as well as arrangements by Witold Lutoslawski and former chorister Bob Chilcott.
Producer: Philip Billson for BBC Radio 4
Repeated on BBC Radio 3 on 25 December at 1pm
Something Understood: Hope in an Age of Adversity – BBC Radio 4, 24 December, 9-10pm
A special Christmas edition of Something Understood. Towards the close of this difficult year, in which comfort has been in short supply for many, hope is a precious commodity.
Unable to get into BBC studios in India because of Covid restrictions, Mark Tully returns to present this hour long programme from his home in Delhi.
In this unique blend of music interview and readings, he examines what strength can be taken from adversity itself, what comfort both spiritual and psychological can be used to soothe it and how poets, philosophers, artists and thinkers have found the strength to find joy and light in times of darkness both now and in the past.
Presenter: Mark Tully
Producer: Frank Stirling
A 7 Digital production for BBC Radio 4
Midnight Mass – BBC Radio 4, 24 December, 11.30pm-12.45am
The Mass of the Nativity of the Lord, live from Manchester Cathedral. Carols and anthems include the seasonal favourite by Harold Darke – In the Bleak Midwinter and the mass is sung to Mozart’s Missa Brevis in F K192.
Celebrant – Rogers Govender, Dean
Preacher – Dr David Walker, Bishop of Manchester
Organist and Master of the Choristers – Christopher Stokes
Sub-Organist – Geoffrey Woollatt
Producer – Ruth Thomson for BBC Radio 4
Christmas Service – BBC Radio 4, 25 December, 9-9.45am
“A draft in the stable.”
The Revd Richard Carter and the Revd Catherine Duce lead a socially distanced retelling of the Christmas story starting with a donkey in Hackney City Farm’s most drafty stable.
As mandated, angels appear at the Annunciation, shepherds “in-the-fields” and Joseph does finally agree to let everybody in, all in agreement with latest Church of England guidance!
With St Martin’s Voices directed by Gabriella Noble and St Martin’s Brass. With organist Ben Giddens. Sermon: The Vicar, the Revd Dr Sam Wells. Recorded in St Martin-in-the-Fields, Hackney City Farm and on location around Trafalgar Square.
Producer: Andrew Earis for BBC Radio 4
Christmas Meditation – BBC Radio 4, 26 December, 12.15-12.30am
A reflection on the meaning of Christmas.
Producer: Ruth Thomson for BBC Radio 4
BBC Local Radio
Over Christmas, BBC local radio will bring listeners a series of exclusive interviews with some of the most famous music stars in the world plus a number of special carol concerts to ensure everyone can still enjoy the sound of Christmas this year.
With listeners separated from loved ones, local radio will connect families and friends spread out across the country through a new project called Send a Christmas Hug, with listeners recording special messages for family members for broadcast on local radio and regional TV.
Weekly church services during advent (every Sunday from 8am)
• Sunday 6 December – Reverend David Shosanya, former gang member turned Baptist minister
• Sunday 13 December – A Nativity service led by the Bishop of Dorking, Jo Wells, and featuring the Wintershall Players (who do a famous Nativity and a Passion play every year in Trafalgar Square)
• Sunday 20 December – The new Archbishop of York, Stephen Cottrell, leads a Christmas service
Meanwhile, on Christmas Day BBC local radio will broadcast a festive service from the Salvation Army with carols and readings.