Holiday Music

The Chipmunks, left to right: Simon, Theodore, Alvin. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

A sampling of one listener's cherished classical Christmas albums from a few years back. Mito Habe-Evans/NPR hide caption

From left: Kathryn Montoya, Jackie Moran, Hanneke Cassel, Ryan McKasson, Sue Richards and Carolyn Surrick. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Medellín, Colombia is famous for its Christmas lights. Raul Arboleda/AFP/Getty Images hide caption

Of "Christmas Time is Here," Kem says, "It's one of those songs that I hear and it's like, 'I wish I wrote that.' " Anthony Mandler/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Geri Allen watches as Taylor Eigsti, Jason Moran and Ellis Marsalis, from left, perform in a round robin at A Jazz Piano Christmas 2012. Brendan Hoffman for NPR hide caption

Tracey Thorn's album Tinsel and Lights was released Oct. 30. Edward Bishop/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

KEM's first holiday album, What Christmas Means, was released Oct. 16. Courtesy of the artist hide caption

Rebecca Kilgore is one of America's leading song stylists. courtesy of the artist hide caption

The late Hugh Martin wrote the Christmas standard, "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas." The Musical Theater Project hide caption

Bob Dorough circa 1960. Jon Sievert/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images hide caption

The Cathedral of Saint John the Divine in New York City. Rhonda R. Dorsett hide caption