Radio programs
“Christmas 2008,” a festival of Christmas music, will be presented through Christmas Day on KPOR, 90.7 FM. Short inspirational features as well as Christmas cantatas by renowned choirs will be interspersed throughout this special programming. Family Radio’s “Christmas Evensong,” airs weekdays at 5:30 p.m. through Dec. 26 and is a program of traditional carols and sacred classical music of the Christmas season. On Dec. 23, “Christmas with the National Christian Choir” will be aired at 10 a.m. and on Dec. 24, “The Majesty and Glory of Christmas” will be featured at 10 a.m., along with a “Canticle of Christmas” at 1 p.m. and “A Night of Miracles” at 10 p.m.
On Christmas Day, “O Holy Night” will air at 10 a.m., “Magnificat” at 1 p.m. and “If Christ had not Come Today” at 5:30 p.m. On Christmas night, Family Radio’s traditional broadcast of Handel’s “Messiah” will be broadcast at 8 p.m. This CD recording of Handel’s masterpiece will be performed by The Taverner Choir and Players, conducted by Andrew Parrott.
Lechliter selected
Former Emporian Eric Lechliter, a student at Kickapoo High School in Springfield, Mo., has been selected to the Missouri All-State Band. On Dec. 6, more than 1,000 students from across Missouri met at Hickman High School in Columbia to audition for the honor of participating in the top honor band in the state. Only 108 students are accepted into this elite ensemble. Lechliter was placed in second chair in the trumpet section. The band will meet, rehearse and perform at the Missouri Music Educators Association Conference Jan. 28 through Jan. 31, 2009, at Tan-Tar-A Resort at Lake of the Ozarks. The only performance of the Missouri All-State Bank will be at noon Jan. 31 in Salon A of Marriott’s Tan-Tar-A Resort.
The conductor and clinician for the 2008-2009 Missouri All-State Band is Anthony J. Maiello, professor of music and director of instrumental studies at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Maiello is an internationally acclaimed conductor and clinician and his bands have been considered some of the finest in the nation.
Eric is the son of John and Anna Lechliter of Battlefield, Mo. Eric is also a member of the Springfield Youth Symphony, Kickapoo Golden Arrow Marching Band, Advanced Concert Band and Jazz Band. He has won several solo awards at various jazz festivals and camps in the area. Eric is also the JV captain of the Kickapoo Academic Team.
Art gifts
The Emporia Arts Council Art Gifts, 618 Mechanic St., includes glass, ceramics, paintings, textiles, jewelry and wood from more than 50 local and regional artists. Extended hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday through Dec. 30. The EAC will be closed Dec. 25 and 26.
New Year’s Eve gala
The Emporia Arts Council is offering New Year’s Eve at the Granada from 8:30 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Limited tickets are available. To reserve tickets, call 343-6473.
‘Nunsense’
Sally Struthers will star in “Nunsense,” a musical comedy with book, music and lyrics by Dan Goggin, at 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Granada Theatre. Tickets, $30 for adults and $20 for youth, are available at the EAC. For more information, call 343-6473.
Concert
The Wichita Symphony Orchestra Classic Concerts continue with “All That Jazz” by pianist Kirill Gerstein at 8 p.m. Jan. 17 and 3 p.m. Jan. 18 at the Century II Concert Hall in Wichita. For tickets and more information, call (316) 267-7658. Tickets also are available online at www.wso.org.