The Grammy Award-winning Atlanta Symphony Orchestra presents a televised holiday special airing on WXIA and WATL beginning December 6 and running through December 28. This year’s show features the orchestra and their powerhouse chorus performing Handel's Messiah, featuring the joyful “Hallelujah Chorus,” along with a selection of traditional Christmas carols, and “Winter” from Vivaldi's ever-popular The Four Seasons. 

The exact air dates are: 
 

WXIA 

• Sat, 12/6, 7-8pm
• Thu, 12/25, 12-1pm 
• Sun, 12/28, 11A-12pm 

WATL

• Sat, 12/13, 6-7pm
• Thu, 12/25, 3-4pm

The broadcast is conducted by Norman MacKenzie, who recently celebrated 25 years as the Director of Choruses at the ASO. For decades, Norman has shaped the sound of Messiah, which traces the musical journey through the prophecy and anticipation of Christ's miraculous birth. It was written nearly three centuries ago and remains one of the most performed and popular holiday traditions today. 

The Atlanta Symphony Orchestra Chorus shines when it joins the orchestra to sing traditional carols such as “The First Nowell” and selections from Benjamin Britten’s A Ceremony of Carols. Every selection in the televised special is drawn from the ASO’s annual performances of Christmas with the ASO, The Messiah and The Four Seasons.