Greeting a capacity Conference Center audience April 21, Mormon Tabernacle Choir announcer Lloyd Newell said, "Welcome to the Fourth of July in April!"

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Expressions of Silence — deaf students — perform by signing as choir, U.S. Army Herald Trumpets watch.

Photo by Scott G. Winterton

Appearing on stage in the Conference Center with Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square are The Oak Ridge Boys, lower left, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets and the Expressions of Silence.

The occasion was a special concert in connection with the national conference of NEMC: The National Association for Music Education. And it did have an abundance of festive summer flavor and sentiment, as the choir and Orchestra at Temple Square joined famed country-music quartet The Oak Ridge Boys, the U.S. Army Herald Trumpets from Washington, D.C., and Expressions of Silence, a signing group from the Montana School for Deaf and Blind Children.

Titled "Spirit of America," the concert was a rousing celebration of God, country and family, highlighted by the presentation of a check for more than $92,000 to Feed the Children, an international non-profit relief organization based in Oklahoma City, Okla., and a partner in the concert. The money came from fund-raising activities held by music teachers and their students throughout the nation.

"Before we sing a song right now that fits this occasion so very, very well," said tenor Joe Bonsall, "I want to say what a real honor it is for The Oak Ridge Boys to even be in the presence of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir."

The group then performed its popular tune, "Thank God for Kids," the lyrics having special meaning in the context of the occasion:

When I look down in those trusting eyes

That look to me, I realize

There's a love that I can't buy.

Thank God for kids.

Earlier, the country group performed a selection of its songs that give homage to patriotism, family and Americana, including "Colors," "American Beauty," "This Is America," and "An American Family." The quartet revisited its gospel-music roots with the lively "I'm Working on a Building."

The group also performed what is probably its best-known hit but one that was not listed on the printed program. On-stage spokesman Bonsall said they had misgivings about performing it, thinking it might not fit the occasion. "The people in the (Tabernacle) choir were actually hitting us up about this song," he said playfully. "We decided an Oak Ridge Boys show without 'Elvira' was like . . . ." His voice was drowned out by cheers, but he might have said, ". . . like a Tabernacle Choir concert without 'Battle Hymn.' "

The group did join with the choir for its finale rendition of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." In the choir's well-known Peter Wilhousky arrangement, the men's section typically sings the first three lines of the third verse, accompanied only by harp arpeggios. For this performance, The Oak Ridge Boys performed that portion in impeccable, four-part harmony.

One hundred music teachers, members of the association, joined the choir on stage for the "Battle Hymn" performance. Two were selected for the honor from each of the 50 United States, choir music director Craig Jessop told the audience.

The Herald Trumpets performed a stately rendition of the Star-Spangled Banner for the flag ceremony at the beginning, as well as two fanfares. And they renewed their collaboration with the choir and orchestra in a presentation of John Williams' "Call of the Champions," written for the 2002 Winter Olympics held in Salt Lake City.

The Expressions of Silence, composed of students in the sixth through 12th grades who perform to songs using sign language and dance, were featured in "Call of the Champions."

They earlier were featured in performances of "In Dreams," from the "Lord of the Rings" movie, and in "Prayer of the Children." Soloist Ryan Tani, a boy soprano from the Madeleine Choir School of the Catholic cathedral in Salt Lake City, performed with them on those two selections.

Choir and orchestra selections included a set of Mack Wilberg arrangements of "America the Beautiful," "Bound for the Promised Land" and "Shenandoah."

Director Jessop summarized the evening by saying, "Tonight, we've celebrated two great institutions, that of the family and of the school, both essential for a successful and prosperous community and society." He mentioned that every member of the choir and orchestra are volunteers from the community. "All owe their musical expertise to teachers like those here, and we're grateful. You are our teachers!"

The program was recorded for a special television presentation to air nationally in early summer. For information, visit the Web site www.feedthechildren.org/choir or call toll free 1 (800) 960-1264.

E-mail to: rscott@desnews.com