Sound of Christmas Music Will Fill the Air

Los Angeles radio stations have scheduled special holiday programming for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

The annual “Christmas at the Music Center” program, a daylong live broadcast from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, will be carried today from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. on KUSC-FM (91.5) (simulcast with Channel 28). Some 29 community musical groups representing different cultures and religions will be featured.

Another live broadcast, the annual “A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols” from the King’s College chapel at Cambridge University in England, will air from 7-9 a.m. today on KUSC-FM (91.5). The station also will broadcast highlights of this Christmas service featuring the King’s College Choir on “Carols from King’s,” a simulcast with KCET Channel 28 from 10-11 tonight.

Many stations will air nonstop Christmas music. KKGO-FM (105.1) will play continuous Christmas jazz music from 6 a.m. today to 6 p.m. Christmas Day, while KFAC (AM 1330, FM 92.3) has scheduled Christmas music for classical aficionados from 10 a.m. today to 6 p.m. Christmas Day.

KGIL-FM (94.3) will present an uninterrupted playlist of holiday tunes tonight from 6 to midnight, followed by Handel’s “Messiah” until 2:40 a.m., then resuming Christmas music until midnight Friday .

KMPC-AM (710) will play commercial-free holiday music from 6 tonight until 12:15 p.m. Christmas Day when it will pick up the Aloha Bowl football game between UCLA and Florida.

KLAC-AM (570), KZLA-FM (93.9), KRTH (FM 101, AM 930), KBIG-FM (104.3), KFI-AM (640) will have 24 hours of nonstop Christmas music starting at 6 tonight.

Other stations with long-play Christmas music include KJOI-FM (98.7), from noon today to midnight Christmas Day; KOST-FM (103.5), from 6 tonight to noon Christmas Day; KRLA-AM (1110) from noon today to 6 p.m. Christmas Day, and KNOB-FM (97.9) from 3 p.m. today until 9 p.m. Christmas Day.

Here are other holiday broadcasts.

TODAY, CHRISTMAS EVE “ ‘Tis the Season for Peace & Justice,” a sampler of programs reflecting the holiday theme, 7-9:30 a.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“The Crooky Christmas Special,” a drama for children narrated by Joni Erickson, 10-10:15 a.m., KPZE-AM (1190).

“KRTH Holiday Classic Rock ‘n’ Roll,” Christmas songs by classic rock ‘n’ roll musicians and stories about the performers, with host Bryan Beirne, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., KRTH-FM (101).

Morning Reading: “The Gift of the Magi,” a reading of O. Henry’s classic Christmas tale by Elsa Knight Thompson, 11:30 a.m.-noon, KPFK-FM (90.7).

“Holiday Folk Music,” hosted by Brian May, noon-2 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“A Christmas Carol,” an unabridged reading of Charles Dickens’ work, 2-6 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“South Africa Shall be Free,” the Rev. Allan Boesak, founder of the United Democratic Front and President of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, conducts a Christmas Service, with South African Christmas songs performed by a South African choir, 6:30-8:30 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“Motown Christmas,” three hours of Christmas music and interviews with Motown artists, 9 p.m.-midnight, KDAY-AM (1580).

“ ‘Messiah’ Highlights,” selections from Handel’s work, performed by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus with conductor Robert Shaw, 9-10 p.m., KUSC-FM (91.5), simulcast on KCET Channel 28.

“Songs of Christmas, 1987,” holiday songs and greetings from members of the European Broadcasting Union, 11 p.m.-midnight, KUSC-FM (91.5).

FRIDAY, CHRISTMAS DAY

“Christmas with the Philadelphia Singers,” holiday songs performed by this choral ensemble, 8-9 a.m., KUSC-FM (91.5).

“Christmas in Vermont,” a program of choral music and Bible readings from Mead Chapel at Middlebury College, Vermont, 9-10 a.m., KUSC-FM (91.5), simulcast on KCET Channel 28.

Uninterrupted Christmas music from National Public Radio, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., KPCC-FM (89.3).

Bach’s “Christmas Oratorio,” Nikolaus Harnoncourt and the Concentus Musicus of Vienna perform six cantatas, 10 a.m.-1 p.m., KUSC-FM (91.5), simulcast on KCET Channel 28.

Morning Reading: “Hanukkah Gelt,” a story of two brothers receiving Hanukkah money, read by Than Wyann, 11:30 a.m.-noon, KPFK-FM (90.7).

Handel’s “Messiah,” performed by the Academy of Ancient Music with the King’s College Choir in England, noon-2:30 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“A Merry Christmas from ‘Little Women,’ ” a reading by Julie Harris of Louisa May Alcott’s novel, 12:30-1 p.m., KCRW-FM (89.9).

“The Carols of Glenstal Abbey,” traditional Irish music of the season from the 16th and 18th centuries, 1-2 p.m., KCRW-FM (89.9).

“Robert Shaw’s Christmas Special,” a presentation by the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra and Chorus of carols and hymns and works by Tchaikovsky, Mendelssohn, Berlioz and Bach, 1-2:30 p.m., KUSC-FM (91.5), simulcast on KCET Channel 28.

“A Child’s Christmas in Wales,” written and read by Dylan Thomas, 2-2:30 p.m., KCRW-FM (89.9).

KCRW Playhouse: “A Christmas Carol” stars Lionel Barrymore as Scrooge, 3:30-4 p.m., KCRW-FM (89.9).

“A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols,” repeat of Christmas Eve live broadcast, 3:30-5 p.m., KUSC-FM (91.5).

“Hanukkah with Rabbi Will Kramer,” readings from “The World of Sholom Aleichem” interpreted by Maurice Samuel, 6:30-7 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

Christmas carols sung by the Goldenaires from Wilkinson Senior Citizen Center, 6:30-7 p.m., KCSN-FM (88.5).

“Christmas with the Firesign Theatre,” a rebroadcast of December, 1971, comedy act, 7-8 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“ ‘Tis the Season for Peace & Justice,” programs reflecting holiday themes, 7-9:30 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

KCRW Playhouse: “Funny Stuff’s Annual Fourth of July Spectacular, Part 2,” a spoof of holiday spirit with Bob Claster, 7:30-8 p.m., KCRW-FM (89.9).

“Christmas Dinner,” a satire on Christmas broadcasting, 8-10 p.m., KPFK-FM (90.7).

“The Thistle and Shamrock: Festive Folk,” Riona Ritchie’s annual Celtic holiday celebration featuring songs performed by Celtic musicians, 8-10 p.m., KUSC-FM (91.5).

“Mike Hodel’s Hour 25,” Christmas and Hanukkah science-fiction readings, including Arthur C. Clark’s “The Star,” 10 p.m.-midnight, KPFK-FM (90.7).