If all audiences that have viewed concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir were combined, the total wouldn't equal the number of people who will view its performances during the opening ceremony for the 2002 Winter Games, said choir director Craig Jessop. More than 3 billion people, it is estimated, will watch the ceremony.

Don Mischer, producer of the opening and closing ceremonies, is among those in charge of the events who spoke of the choir's presence. "The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has really become very important to the opening and closing ceremonies," he told the Church News. "They have become an integral part of the sound and the feel of our show. I can't think of any other Olympic ceremonies that have had such a valuable resource."

Mark Waters, who is in charge of all the music for the opening and closing ceremonies, described the Tabernacle Choir as "a very rare jewel in the crown of this city." He said that the choir is "exceeding our expectations — and our expectations were very, very high."

Working with the choir, he said, "is a dream come true. It is certainly one of the musical stars of this country. We're so proud of the choir. For an artist to get a chance to work with them is a great thrill, and certainly for someone who is a creative artist, for me as a composer to get a chance to write something and have this wonderful group interpret it and bring it to life — it's indescribable."

He spoke of the early planning phase, when decisions were being made about who would perform in the ceremonies, and said that each city that hosts the Olympics has something "to show off." In Salt Lake City, he said, that something "is the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, and we're going to give them a chance to do that. Imagine what it's like telling a composer, 'You have a chance to have the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, if you want them.' Well, please! Say no more!"

He said that, as a composer, he has one major regret regarding the Olympic ceremonies — that he didn't have the opportunity to include more of his own work for the choir to record. However, he said, he went back to a piece he composed for orchestra only and added to it. "It's just 'Oohs' and 'Aahs,' but it gives me a chance to say that I composed something that the Tabernacle Choir sang."

Kenny Ortega, artistic director and choreographer for the opening and closing ceremonies, said, "How fortunate for the Olympics and Salt Lake City and America to have these incredible voices present and have a presence in the ceremony as well. We are thrilled. When we discovered that they were going to be a part of the ceremonies, it enabled us to imagine bigger, knowing that we have this calibre of talent."

Standing just offstage during a recording session, he said that he had listened to the choir all his life. Now that he has had a chance to work with the famed singers, he said, "I feel like I've met these celebrities."

He described listening to the Utah Symphony (with whom the choir will perform) in the morning, then working on chorography and "running back as fast I could because I didn't want to miss a note of the choir" during that evening's recording session.

"I love music and dance and theater and symphony. I've been an appreciator of great sounds my whole life. As a director and choreographer, I've traveled the world and have been privy to many special events. I honestly can say that being here, present, among these men and women of the choir is a highlight. I feel so fortunate, so blessed, so lucky that I get to be here and watch this sort of history come together."

Geoff Bennett, one of the producers for the ceremonies, said: "When we first heard that we were going to do the ceremonies in Salt Lake City, obviously the first choice was 'Let's get the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.' It's an honor to be working with the choir. It's been beyond our wildest dreams.

"It's a rare opportunity to be involved in something like this. It brings the world together, hopefully for a few moments of peace and tranquility. It's important that [the Tabernacle Choir] is a part of it."

Asked if "the Healing Games" is an apt title for the Olympics, he said, "We think so. Everybody needs this. A lot of people thought the Games should be canceled, after what happened [Sept. 11]. There's probably some merit to that but, more important, this is a good time for people to step back and think about who we are, why we're coming together. The Games originally were sort of introduced as a way to bring people together, a moment of truce, of putting down arms, and working together, coming together. I think the world needs that now more than any time ever before. Hopefully, when February 8th comes around, the world will come together and really take note.

"The Tabernacle Choir is one of the pre-eminent musical organizations in the world," he added. "It's our pleasure to showcase the choir. It's really our duty to do so, as we're presenting the Utah Symphony, and the amazing talent that is around Salt Lake. This is what it's all about. It's sharing the culture of the host city and its diversity. There are all types of performances. We're delighted that the choir is participating with us."

E-mail: gerry@desnews.com