By Zachary Gibson
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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir announced Thursday two special guests will perform with them during the annual Christmas Concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City Dec. 16-19.
Audra McDonald and Peter Graves will contribute with song and narration to the choir”s spectacular arrangements of Christmas songs.
“Having a young star of the stature of Audra McDonald join us for our Christmas concert is an absolute dream come true,” Craig Jessop, music director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, said in a press release. “Not only has she made Broadway history by winning four Tony Awards at her young age, but she also is an Emmy-nominated actress.”
Jessop said Graves” familiar voice, often recognized from his television lead role in “Mission Impossible” and from more than 70 screen and television films, will contribute greatly to the concert”s narrative selections.
“As with each of the previous Christmas concerts, there will be new musical arrangements by one of the masters of Christmas music — the choir”s associate director, Mack Wilberg,” Jessop said.
Scott Barrick, general manager for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, said the Christmas concert programs are tailored to adapt the talents of the specific artists.
Last year, the choir hosted Frederica von Stade and Bryn Terfel as special guests. As a part of that concert, the choir performed Christmas carols from around the world. During the unique presentation of “Betelehemu,” an African folk song, the choir slowly danced from side to side while incorporating synchronized hand movements.
Choir organizers said this year”s performance will bring some new surprises.
“The specific repertoire is still being worked out,” Barrick said. “The choir may not be dancing this year, but a new set is planned for the Conference Center and you may see some dancers this year.”
The guests selected for the Christmas Concerts go through a selection process to determine if the artists will work well with the choir.
“Ms. McDonald, with her wonderful range of singing and acting talents, was a perfect fit,” Barrick said. “Her multiple appearances on PBS made her a great selection for future television airing. Mr. Graves is delighted to be appearing with the choir. He has previously worked with Craig Jessop when Dr. Jessop was in the U.S. Air Force musical program.”
The concerts are recorded for future broadcast in conjunction with KUED and PBS. In order to reduce the production costs associated with the concerts, the producers seek assistance from outside groups and businesses to defer costs. The production of the concerts has proven to be an investment that is strengthening the lives of those who attend.
“We know that many people, members and friends of the church alike, fly from all over the country and around the world to attend the Christmas concerts,” Barrick said. “The concerts have now become a prominent holiday event in the Western United States. We know that testimonies have been strengthened and hearts brightened by this unique annual event.”
Tickets for the concerts are required, but are free. Beginning Tuesday, those interested in attending can reserve tickets by visiting the LDS Church”s events link at lds.org at 10 a.m. or by visiting the Conference Center ticket office. Tickets can also be reserved by calling the ticket office at 801-240-0080.
Thursday”s performance will be a dress rehearsal. Sunday”s version of “Music and the Spoken Word” will include McDonald and Graves followed by a mini-concert after the broadcast highlighting some of the music from the concert.
Barrick encourages anyone who is interested to come even if they are not capable of getting a ticket. Standby lines will allow for many to fill the seats of no-shows.
The DVD version of last year”s concert was released a few weeks ago along with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir”s first Christmas CD listed under the choir”s recording label. The CD, titled “Sing, Choirs of Angels!” was released two months ago and has generated sales nearing $50,000.
