Christmas Vespers, a 75-year tradition at Hope, has been recorded and will be featured on multiple radio stations and PBS television affiliates.
First held in 1941, the program of Christmas carols and anthems is presented by the college’s Department of Music and features more than 200 performers in historic Dimnent Memorial Chapel. The services feature a variety of Hope instrumental and vocal groups as well as the college’s historic Skinner organ. This year’s four services were presented on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 5 and 6.
Hope has recorded the service and made it available to radio stations annually for more than 40 years. Christmas Vespers was first broadcast on PBS station WGVU in 1994 and is now filmed every two or three years, including this year. The WGVU productions have earned multiple awards through the years.
Radio stations planning to broadcast this year’s service include:
Connecticut
Middletown: WIHS-FM
Indiana
West Terre Haute: WKZI-AM
Iowa
Mason City: KCMR-FM
Sioux Center: KDCR-FM
Michigan
Benton Harbor: WSJM-AM/FM
Escanaba: WCHT-AM
Escanaba: WDBC-AM
Grand Rapids: WFUR-AM
Hillsdale: WCSR-AM/FM
Holland: WHTC-AM
Holland: WTHS-FM
Lapeer: WMPC-AM
Ludington: WLDN-FM
Marquette: WNMU-FM
Port Huron: WPHM-AM
Twin Lake: WBLV/WBLU
Zeeland: WGNB-FM
Oregon
Portland: KPDQ-FM
Tennessee
Bristol: WHCB-FM
Washington
Chehalis: KACS-FM
Please check with the station in your area for the day and time. Hope has learned of the telecast plans of the following PBS stations in Michigan:
Detroit: WTVS, Friday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.
East Lansing: WKAR, Thursday, Dec. 24, 9 p.m.
East Lansing: WKAR World, Sunday, Dec. 20, 5 p.m., 11 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m.
Flint/Tri-Cities: WDCQ, Tuesday, Dec. 22, 9 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 25, 7 p.m.
Grand Rapids: WGVU TV, Thursday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.; Friday, Dec. 25, 8 a.m., noon, 8 p.m.
Marquette: WNMU, Sunday, Dec. 20, 4 p.m.
Mount Pleasant: WCMU, Saturday, Dec. 19, 7 p.m.
The program may also be carried by other PBS stations. Please check your local listings to learn more.