DEC. 17) News12, the cable news network with outposts in New Jersey, New York and Connecticut, has a special gift for tri-state performing arts fans who haven’t yet experienced the new, expanded Count Basie Center for the Arts.

“Sounds Of The Season,” the network’s heralded, annual presentation of holiday music performed by New Jersey students and performing arts organizations, emanates this year from the new Basie Center, offering views of the nonprofit arts organization’s new, $28 million expansion, which debuted to the public in August. The program features performers from the Count Basie Center Academy, along with Basie partners Lakehouse Music Academy, in addition to the Zzak G Applaud Our Kids Foundation, and The RockNRoll Chorus.

Though the ongoing pandemic prevented a live presentation of this year’s “Sounds Of The Season,” News12 nonetheless persisted — gathering recordings from the above organizations and introducing them from the Basie Center’s new grand lobby. Additional segments showcase The Vogel, the Basie Center’s new performance venue, as well as other new areas of the facility.

News12 viewers can turn in to “Sounds Of The Season” during any of the following broadcast times:

Saturday, Dec. 18
3:30 p.m.
8 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 19
3:30 p.m.
8:30 p.m.

Christmas Eve, Friday, Dec. 24
8:30 a.m.
3:30 p.m.
8 p.m.
11:30 p.m.

Christmas Day, Saturday, Dec. 25
12 a.m.
1:30 p.m.
3:30 p.m.
8 p.m.
11 p.m.

“We couldn’t be more proud, or more grateful, that News12 has kept the ‘Sounds Of The Season’ tradition alive here at the Basie Center,” said Adam Philipson, President / CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “Now more than ever, it’s important we all provide students with platforms and opportunities to creatively express themselves through the performing arts.”