Grateful for opportunity
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SALT LAKE CITY — Few musical groups get the opportunity to perform in front of some 3.5 billion people, even when they have reached a professional level. However, that experience at the 2002 Winter Olympics opening ceremonies has left the six-person vocal band, Eclipse, searching for words.
Six young men who are returned missionaries attending Utah State University formed the group after performing together in a group called Sunburst Singers, said Dan Kartchner, Eclipse's baritone and lead singer.
Kevin Jones, vocal percussionist, attributes the group's success to their attitude. They perform songs that are upbeat and inspirational. He said whenever they encounter a problem, they make sure they pray about it.
"Things didn't work out the way we thought, but they turned out so much better," he said in reference to their performance of "Hard Times Come Again No More" during the opening ceremonies.
The group had only been hoping for a chance to perform at venues and auditioned for that opportunity in July. While they were waiting in the hallway, they bumped into Kenny Ortega, a producer of the opening ceremonies. Mr. Ortega asked the group to perform some songs for him and "he was really impressed," the lead singer said.
The group may have impressed the producer because they are unlike other a capella groups. According to Paul Hansen, high tenor, the group is able to produce the same kind of sounds with their voices that an instrumental group does.
The group also performed at the Medals Plaza three times and is scheduled to sing "Zoot Suit Riot" at the closing ceremonies on Feb. 24. They have shows scheduled at Especially for Youth conferences on the campuses of BYU in Provo, Utah, and BYU-Idaho in Rexburg, Idaho. They say they are grateful for any opportunities they receive.
Kevin Jones said, "I really feel we have been blessed to be put in a situation where we can really help people."
E-mail: ngrubbs@desnews.com
