Each December, KUSI (Channel 51) records and airs performances of student choirs as a special called “Songs of the Holiday Season.” This two-hour extravaganza of choral singing is broadcast twice: usually the evening of Christmas Eve and the morning of Christmas Day. Choirs from ten SDUSD schools were featured on this year’s special.

Now in its 27th year, “Songs of the Holiday Season” is the outcome of a whole week of bringing local student choirs into the television studio, recording them singing, and compiling the performances. Schools apply in the early fall for a limited number of recording spots. Some schools are additionally given the exciting opportunity to perform live on “Good Morning, San Diego” before recording their numbers.

Patrick Henry High School (director Rachel Samuelsz) and Serra High School (director Michael Fiedler) had live on-air performances during “Good Morning San Diego” on Thursday, December 5 and Monday, December 9, respectively. Their performances were re-aired during the “Songs of the Holiday Season” special.

Other participating SDUSD schools include:

• De Portola Middle School (director Maureen Flynn)

• Wangenheim Middle School (director Cassandra Brown)

• La Jolla Elementary School (director Julie Greathouse-Suazo)

• San Diego High School (director Kayla Rodgers)

• Dingeman Elementary School (director Garner Saguil)

• CPMA Middle School (director Sara Freese)

• Farb Middle School (director Barbara Toombs)

• Hawthorne Elementary School

A change to previous years, this winter’s broadcast aired on the evening of Sunday, December 22 and midday on Wednesday, December 25. If you missed it, the performances are available for a limited time on the KUSI website at https://www.kusi.com/the-27th-annual-songs-of-the-holiday-season/.