The sounds of Christmas are filling the airwaves today, and will continue right on through tomorrow evening. Here are some highlights:
* "A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols," the traditional Christmas Eve service from King's College Chapel in Cambridge, England, can be heard live at 10 a.m. today on both WBJC-FM (91.5) and WJHU-FM (88.1). It also repeats at noon tomorrow on WJHU.
* Beginning at 11 a.m. today and continuing through 7 p.m. tomorrow, "Good Time Oldies" WQSR-FM (105.7) plans a continuous run of holiday music, with station personalities sharing holiday memories. At 7 p.m. today (with a repeat at 6 a.m. tomorrow), WQSR is also carrying "Disney's Wonderful World of Christmas," a three-hour nationally aired program with host James Earl Jones and all the familiar Disney voices.
* Beginning at noon today and continuing through midnight tomorrow, "LITE 102" WLIF-FM (101.9) plans a continuous, commercial-free run of "the most popular holiday music of all time."
* Bob Benson presents an afternoon of all-Christmas selections beginning at 1 p.m. today on WJHU-FM (88.1). And other highlights on WJHU through the weekend include:
Special Christmas editions of "Riverwalk" (at 7 p.m. today); Andy Bienstock's jazz program (8 p.m. today); the organ music show "Pipe Dreams" (6 a.m. tomorrow); "On Music" with Ray Sprenkle (10 a.m. tomorrow); "A Christmas Casual Concert" with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (11 a.m. tomorrow); and an afternoon of more Christmas music with Bob Benson, including music from the Peabody Conservatory (1:30 p.m. tomorrow).
* Memorable segments from Christmas shows past can be heard on "A Prairie Home Companion," at 6 p.m. today on WBJC-FM (91.5). Other highlights on WBJC through tomorrow include:
"On Yoolis Night," a program of English music of the 13th through 15th centuries, performed by the quartet Anonymous 4 (9 p.m. today); Tchaikovsky's "The Nutcracker Suite," by the New Symphony of London (10 a.m. tomorrow); "An American Festival of Lessons and Carols," with the Memphis Boychoir and Chamber Choir (2:30 p.m. tomorrow); and Baltimore's own Handel Choir performing "Messiah" (10 p.m. tomorrow).
* "WBAL's Christmas Carol" is airing on WBAL-AM (1090) from 7 p.m. today to 6 p.m. tomorrow, featuring music and customs of the holidays across America. The holiday spirit continues at 6 p.m. tomorrow with "The Magic of Christmas," an 11-hour program with holiday features, including clips from movies and television shows.
* Old, old radio traditions of the season are featured in "The Big Broadcast," from 8 p.m. to midnight today and 7 to 11 p.m. tomorrow, on WAMU-FM (88.5). Host Ed Walker presents such classics as "A Christmas Carol" with Lionel Barrymore, and Christmas editions of such shows as "Fibber McGee and Molly" and "Grand Central Station."
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Fifty years ago, Christmas was an ordeal for American soldiers in Europe. At noon on Monday , WCBM-AM (680) presents "The Battle of the Bulge," a recreation commemorating the critical conflict.
Station figures Sean Casey and Gary St. Ours portray figures of the battle, with musical accompaniment by the U.S. Army Band. Following the show at 2 p.m., the station's Tom Marr portrays a "Portrait of Patton." Les Kinsolving narrates both patriotic observances, which also repeat at 7 p.m. Monday on WPGC-FM in Washington.
Aircheck is a weekly column of local radio news and highlights. Send items to Aircheck, Steve McKerrow, 501 N. Calvert St., Baltimore 21278; or fax, (410) 783-2519.