When Salt Lake City commemorates last year's highly successful Winter Olympics with a citywide "Winterfest" celebration Jan. 29-Feb. 9, the Church will play an integral role, presenting free Tabernacle Choir mini-concerts and hosting the second annual "Interfaith Musical Tribute to the Human Spirit" in the Salt Lake Tabernacle.

The choir will perform the mini-concerts on Feb. 2 and 9 following its regular Sunday morning broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" from the Tabernacle. The special concerts will begin at 10 a.m. Those desiring to attend the 9:30 a.m. broadcast and the mini-concerts are asked to be in their seats by 9:15, although additional patrons will be admitted to the Tabernacle at 10 a.m. on both days for the mini-concerts. No tickets are required, and seating is on a first-come, first-served basis. Admission is limited to those age 6 years and older.

Some of the most requested favorites from the choir's repertoire will be performed at the mini-concerts, including "The Lord's Prayer," "Climb Every Mountain," "America the Beautiful," and "Battle Hymn of the Republic."

In addition, the choir will perform at Winterfest ceremonies Saturday, Feb. 8, near Rice-Eccles Stadium, which will include the relighting of the Olympic flame. The choir will reprise the John Williams Olympic theme "Call of the Champions" at that event.

The interfaith musical tribute will be in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 9, sponsored by the Salt Lake Interfaith Roundtable (formerly the SLOC Interfaith Roundtable). Admission is free.

It will feature musical groups and representatives from more than two dozen local faiths. The program includes Native American flute music and chants, the Orchestra at Temple Square, a Hindu prayer, St. Paul's Episcopal Church Choir, Rondalla Ariez Spanish Choir (Catholic), Baha'i prayer, Utah Valley Mass Choir (gospel music), Christian Science prayer, Cambodian Dancers (Buddhist), Islamic prayer, Wesley Bell Ringers (Methodist), massed singing and the music of the Tabernacle Organ.

"The Roundtable planned the Tribute as a legacy event to be held again this year so more people could experience this interfaith service," said Jan Saeed, chairman. "We're bringing back groups from last year and adding new participants. And we've moved to a larger space — the historic LDS Tabernacle on Temple Square."

Last year's event was held in the Cathedral of the Madeleine of the Catholic Diocese of Salt Lake City.

"Music is a way for people of different faiths and beliefs to worship together," noted Jerold D. Ottley, former director of the Tabernacle Choir and musical coordinator for the event for both years. "When people sing or chant, the melody and tone speak louder than words, resonating positive feelings that transcend belief."

Religious, secular, civic, political and cultural leaders in Salt Lake City will attend the service. A proclamation will be read designating Feb. 2-9 as "Interfaith Week" to coincide with Salt Lake Winterfest.

Tickets are available from both the Salt Lake Diocese (Sister Bridget Clare McKeever, phone 328-8641, extension 362) and the Church Conference Center box office, (Door 4, west side). Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and seating is on a first-come-first-served basis. All unused tickets will be released at 7:20 p.m., and standby seating is available. Children mature enough to enjoy a live performance are welcome. Parents with babies may attend in the viewing room at the rear of the Tabernacle. Free and ample parking is available across the street at Crossroads Mall.