..and the winner is…

Brian Stokes Mitchell

At 11:00 am Mountain Standard Time Director Mack Wilberg and President Mac Christensen announced that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir 2008 Christmas Guest Artist will be…

Get Stoked…

Brian Stokes Mitchell!!! (I Love this man)

Actor Edward Hermann

Joining Stokes, as narrator will be the legendary actor Edward Hermann of Gilmore Girl and Franklin Roosevelt fame.

CONCERT DATES: December 11-14th, 2008 at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

FREE TICKETS: Choir Concerts are always FREE – but are ticketed events, and this is the hottest ticket of the year. An Online Lottery “Random Selection Process” has been instituted. Starting Saturday, October 25, 2008, through Tuesday, November 4, 2008. (it does not matter when you enter – the selection is random) you may enter one time to see if you can snag some tickets to one of the performances. Go to THIS PAGE for more info and to register once it opens. Tip: Register for all dates, in order of preference. The more flexible you are, the greater your chances. IF YOU DO NOT GET TICKETS THERE IS A STAND-BY LINE FOR EACH PERFORMANCE. (In the past, the Sunday morning broadcast + mini-concert has always accomodated the stand-by)

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For those who had the opportunity to attend the Tanner Gift of Music Concert this past September, you were able to hear Stokes beautiful rich voice, and share in his powerful stage presence and positive spirit. He is not only one of the great talents of the nation, (more…)

Brigham Young University Broadcasting and The Mormon Tabernacle Choir have joined forces to create a new music video of director Mack Wilberg’s arrangement “Called To Serve“. A favorite hymn of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this song is a lively anthem which pays tribute to those who follow Jesus Christ’s charge to “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15). Similar to another stirring and well-known anthem “Onward, Christian Soldiers”, this hymn inspires each of us to reach out, serve others, and share the good news of our King, Jesus Christ!

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Salt Lake Tabernacle March 31, 2007 courtesy Getty Images

The famous Salt Lake City (Mormon) Tabernacle underwent a massive renovation project from 2005-2007. This involved a meticulous process balancing historic preservation with essential modernization and seismic upgrades. According to my site stat tracker, the majority of my readership now lives outside of Utah, and a considerable amount of you reside outside of the United States. Therefore many of you have either not had the opportunity to visit beautiful Temple Square yet, or you have not returned since the renovation. I thought you may enjoy reading a brief history and watching some nice video clips about this unique, beloved and world-famous building. Click on any photo to enlarge. (more…)

July marks the beginning of an 80th Anniversary Year of the Music and The Spoken Word radio broadcast. With humble beginnings in 1929 it is the longest continually running broadcast in the world.

According to online sources, a traditional 80th Anniversary gift is “Oak”, which I think would make the original LDS pioneers pleased. When the Mormon Tabernacle on Temple Square was constructed, the saints wanted to give their very best to the Lord, (more…)

This is the second installment of a Deseret News two-part Choir report, published on Sunday, June 22, 2008. The first installment was published earlier in the week.

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Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Making sweet music

By Carma Wadley

Deseret News
Published: Saturday, Jun. 21, 2008

The Salt Lake Tabernacle is many things: gathering place, an example of early Utah architecture, a symbol of pioneer faith and ingenuity.

But a couple of times a year it also becomes a recording studio. (more…)

News reporter Carma Wadley spotlighted the latest recording and marketing methods of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir this week. Her well-written article appeared (more…)

The following beautiful story, published this week, illustrates the power of music to touch and inspire a life forever. It also testifies of the great truth that you are never too old for change! (more…)

Dr. Mack Wilberg has written a new arrangement of the American Folk Hymn entitled “My Song in the Night” which is hauntingly beautiful. I have tried to do some research online regarding its origin and history, and came up a bit empty-handed. However, the text to this hymn is particularly haunting. The words invoke an attitude of deep personal pleading:

(more…)