Silent Night

The Story Behind The Beloved Christmas Carol "Silent Night"

By • Dec 19, 2020
Tom Hill / Unsplash

It was 202 years ago when "Silent Night" was first heard by Austrian villagers attending Christmas Eve mass in St. Nicholas Church in Oberndorf. How did this simple melody, with its words of comfort, become a beloved hymn of peace throughout the world? WRTI's Susan Lewis has the story.

Sing "Silent Night" with WRTI's Gregg Whiteside at the Kimmel Center on Dec. 16th

By WRTI Staff • Dec 13, 2019

Let’s share something extraordinary together! We’re gathering at the Kimmel Center on Monday, December 16th at 6 PM to sing a beloved carol, side-by-side with our fellow Philadelphians.

When 1,200 Music Lovers in Philadelphia Came Together To Sing a Beloved Carol, This Is What Happened

By & Jessica Schultz • Dec 26, 2018
Lisa Schaffer @LisaSchafferPhotography

It was a dark December evening in Philadelphia, just a few days shy of the winter solstice. Decked in down against the cold, people streamed into the Kimmel Center's cavernous lobby from the front and side doors.

Watch and Listen: The Wissahickon H.S. Camerata Sings Christmas Carols Live on WRTI

By WRTI Staff • Dec 14, 2018

Listen to this delightful performance by the Wissahickon High School Camerata Choir, led by John Conahan, when they were live on the radio and on the WRTI Facebook page on December 12th. WRTI's Gregg Whiteside is your host.

You're Invited! Sing at the Kimmel Center on Dec. 17 at 7 PM To Celebrate 200 Years of Silent Night

By WRTI Staff • Dec 14, 2018

This month marks the 200th anniversary of the beloved Christmas carol “Silent Night," and we're inviting you to celebrate! Come sing at a free, community performance of a new arrangement of the song by Philadelphia composer John Conahan, who will conduct the work. WRTI's Gregg Whiteside will be your host.

Jazz Album of the Week: South Philly Big Band's XMAS Featuring Najwa Parkins

By • Dec 10, 2018
Jill Saul Photography

December 10, 2018. What brings on that warm holiday feeling? A crackling fire, a hot toddy, lights on the tree and some excellent big band seasonal music. The South Philly Big Band (SPBB) provides the latter, executing some gorgeous holiday charts on SPBB XMAS featuring Najwa Parkins.

A Very Jon Batiste Christmas

By • Dec 13, 2016

Jon Batiste has two big gigs –- he's the band director for The Late Show With Stephen Colbert, and he's an artistic director at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem. And now, he also has his very own holiday album: Christmas With Jon Batiste.