Cronkite to narrate Christmas concert
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Cherished by generations of Americans as "the most trusted man," Walter Cronkite will be the guest narrator for this year's Christmas concerts by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Mr. Cronkite, best known as the anchor for the CBS Evening News for 19 years, will join the choir and orchestra on a concert program entitled "Silent Night, Holy Night." The concert will feature Christmas songs and sacred anthems appropriate for the season by the choir, with an original treatment of a holiday story narrated by Mr. Cronkite. The orchestra will also be featured with a solo orchestral number.
"We are thrilled and honored to have America's senior statesman join us for this year's Christmas concerts," said Craig Jessop, music director for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. "We felt he was the perfect choice to complement our program this year and his narration will be the centerpiece of the program." While not wanting to give away the surprises in this year's concert, Brother Jessop promised a special treat for those attending the event.
Walter Cronkite's accomplishments—both on-air and off—have won him acclaim and trust from his broadcast colleagues and American viewers alike. In his more than 65 years in journalism, his voice has come to symbolize honesty, objectivity and good humor.
Since stepping down as the anchorman for the CBS Evening News, he has continued as special correspondent for CBS and has also hosted many PBS programs. He also founded The Cronkite Ward Company, which has produced more than 25 award-winning documentaries for the Discovery Channel, PBS and other networks.
The Christmas concerts will be presented in the Conference Center on Thursday, Dec. 12 (preview performance), Friday, Dec. 13, and Saturday, Dec. 14, at 7:30 p.m. The weekly half-hour CBS radio broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word on Sunday, Dec. 15, at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Center will also feature Mr. Cronkite as guest narrator. It will be followed by a mini-concert with additional music from the concert program.
Brother Jessop, along with Mack Wilberg and Barlow Bradford, associate music directors, will conduct the choir and orchestra. John Longhurst, Clay Christiansen and Richard Elliott will accompany at the organ.
Free tickets for these concerts and the Music and the Spoken Word broadcast are required and will be available at the Conference Center Ticket Office (inside door 4) or by logging onto www.lds.org/events starting Tuesday, Oct. 29, at 10:00 a.m. MST. Seating is limited to those 8 years of age and older.
