By Amber Webb
Christmas on Temple Square, a series of formal and informal Christmas concerts, began Saturday at the Salt Take Tabernacle in Salt Lake City.
The series kicked off with a festive Children”s choir Christmas concert featuring the CACHE Children”s Cantata Choir, the International Children”s Choir and the Utah Valley Children”s Concert Choir.
To reserve the privilege of performing during this prestigious experience on Temple Square, high school, college and elementary school group choirs needed to apply months in advance. They come to sing and help provide a festive atmosphere for visitors and employees, said coordinator Marilyn Lorensen.
During the series, there are approximately 300 performances. That keeps things pretty busy on Temple Square, Lorensen said. The program was established just over a decade ago. It allows the community to get involved on Temple Square and helps promote the spirit of Christmas for visitors and participants.
The series will continue through the end of this month until December 23. Each day will feature different music groups ar various places on Temple Square.
Visitors can listen to Christmas music at the Assembly Hall, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the Tabernacle, the Conference Center, the Visitor”s Center and the Church Office Building. Visitors can find what groups are performing and at what time by visiting www.lds.org/events/calendar.
After this season, the Tabernacle will be out of commission for renovations to make it seismically stable. Sunday marked the last time the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will perform in the Tabernacle for 18 months, when the renovations will complete.
President Gordon B. Hinckley of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, commented Sunday about the updating of the Tabernacle. He compared it to a loved one being moved into an operating room.
He said the Tabernacle will maintain its historical cosmetic look.
