Yuletide in summer with military flavor
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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir singing Christmas selections on a festively decorated Conference Center stage has become a perennial spectacle. But it is unique for it to take place on a sultry summer evening, as it did Aug. 19, with an atypical representation of uniformed military personnel in the audience.
Billed as "A Salute to the Armed Forces," and subtitled "Christmas in August," the event was recorded for several uses during the coming Christmas season. A 60-minute radio version of the nearly two-hour concert will be presented by the Armed Forces Radio and Television Service as its annual Christmas special, to be broadcast to military troops at home and overseas on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
In addition, Feed the Children, an international nonprofit relief organization based in Oklahoma City, Okla., will air 30- and 60-minute television versions of the program between Thanksgiving and Christmas. Information can be obtained at the Web site www.feedthechildren.org or by calling toll free 1-866-99-CHOIR.
Designed to honor the servicemen and servicewomen at Utah's Hill Air Force Base, as well as other members of the Utah military community, the program included as special guests soprano soloist Sandi Patty, country-music television and radio hosts (Lorianne) Crook & (Charlie) Chase, and the Band of the Air Force Reserve, conducted by Capt. Chad A. Steffey.
Tabernacle Choir Music Director Craig Jessop conducted the choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square, augmented by the Band of the Air Force Reserve and the Bells at Temple Square, with band director Steffey wielding the baton at times.
"Music sets the mood for this remarkable holiday," said Gen. Bruce Carlson, commander, Air Force Materiel Command, in opening remarks, "evoking the magic of the season and memories of holidays past and the power of music that has united this nation during times of war in the past."
He noted that during World War I, American and German soldiers, fighting on opposite sides, paused to sing "It Came upon the Midnight Clear" as a prayer for peace. "Twenty-five years later, that same Christmas favorite came back to World War II, along with such new tunes as 'White Christmas,' which Bing Crosby sang on the 25th of December, 1941, in his radio show, just three weeks after the bombing of Pearl Harbor."
But, he said, the most requested song at Christmas USO shows both in Europe and the Pacific was "I'll Be Home for Christmas," a tune he said that "captures the emotional toll of being separated during the holidays."
In a message later in the program, Lt. Gen. John A Bradley, commander, Air Force Reserve Command, directed his remarks to armed services members who will be hearing the program during the Christmas season. "During the holidays, we hold each of you in our thoughts and prayers as you stand in harm's way," he said. "Many of you have been far away from loved ones for many long months, but know that the sacrifice each of you makes is for a noble cause: freedom."
He added: "I'm incredibly proud of you all — soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines, coast guardsmen. You're the best trained, most professional volunteer force our country has ever known. You're an inspiring legacy of strength and hope to the world."
The band and orchestra opened the program with the John Williams composition "Summon the Heroes," followed by E.E. Bagley's "Trio" from "National Emblem."
Sandi Patty's rendition of "The Star-Spangled Banner" was featured during the presentation of the colors.
Reminiscent of past Christmas concerts, the choir and musicians performed Mack Wilberg's arrangement of "Joy to the World" and "I Saw Three Ships," Barlow Bradford's arrangement of "Carol of the Bells" and the David T. Clydesdale arrangement of "Angels We Have Heard on High."
Miss Patty was featured in "The Most Wonderful Christmas Waltz," a festive medley of two contemporary holiday favorites, "The Most Wonderful Time of the Year" and "Christmas Waltz."
Other highlights of the program featured an instrumental rendition of "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" from Victor Herbert's "Babes in Toyland" and the choir's well-known Arthur Harris arrangement of Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride." And Staff Sergeant Tamiko Boone gave her interpretation of the popular Whitney Houston holiday selection "Who Would Imagine a King."
A Hanukkah Medley featured "Hanukkah Prayer," "O Hanukkah," and "Maoz Tsur."
With the Christmas portion of the program concluded, it was time for the military to shine as the choir and instrumentalists joined in a medley of the respective songs from the five branches of the U.S. military: Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. During each song, the members of the respective armed forces branch were invited to stand, along with audience members who have family members serving in that branch.
President Thomas S. Monson, first counselor in the First Presidency, attended the concert and, having served in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II, stood with others of that branch of the military as "Anchors Aweigh" was performed.
During a bagpipe performance of "Amazing Grace," pictures and names of the service members from Utah who have died during the conflict in Iraq were displayed on giant television screens in the auditorium.
The program concluded with Miss Patty soloing in a finale performance featuring all the performers in a moving rendition of the Irving Berlin patriotic classic "God Bless America."
The audience demanded as an unscheduled encore a performance of the choir's signature song "Battle Hymn of the Republic," the selection which drew the loudest applause of any of the evening's offerings.
E-mail to: rscott@desnews.com
