MIAMI — A fleet of 12 buses, three charter airplanes and two
tractor-trailers will be carrying the 330-voice Mormon Tabernacle Choir —
along with 1,500 pieces of luggage, a 32-speaker electronic organ and part of
the Orchestra at Temple Square — on a tour of eight cities in the southern
United States from 15 to 27 June.
Under the direction of the First Presidency, the highest presiding body of
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
will be performing its first tour of 2001.
"The South is such a devout area of the country, a very Christian area of
the United States," says choir director Craig Jessop. "It seemed natural for the choir to go to
these areas."
The choir will perform in Houston and Fort Worth, Texas; New Orleans,
Louisiana; Birmingham, Alabama; Atlanta, Georgia; and Tampa, Orlando and Miami,
Florida.
This will be the choir's first performance in all of these cities except
Orlando, where the choir was invited to perform by Disney World in 1989.
The choir will travel with a novel electronic organ. Using 32 speakers, it
produces a sound similar to the famous organ featured in the choir's weekly
broadcasts from the historic Salt Lake Tabernacle.
Choir leaders say the performances will include a broad
spectrum of classical favorites in Americana — from the patriotic to
spirituals to Broadway, plus the choir's classics that focus on the life and
teachings of Jesus Christ.
"We want to establish in the minds of people that Jesus
Christ indeed is central to our faith, as He is to the faith of many people who
live in the southern states," Christensen said.
Between performances, choir and orchestra members will host
receptions for government, religious and community leaders.
During the rigorous two-week schedule, the choir will travel
on three charter airplanes from Salt Lake City to Houston and from Miami to Salt
Lake City. The remainder of the trip will be by bus––12 of them.
"We're playing in some of the most magnificent concert
halls in the South. It’s very exciting," Jessop said. "There's a great
deal of enthusiasm and interest."
Questions about tickets may be directed to the respective
performance venue of each city: Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, Houston, 15
June; Bass Auditorium, Fort Worth, 16 June; Saenger Theater, New Orleans, 18
June; Jefferson Civic Center Concert Hall, Birmingham, 20 June; Fox Theater,
Atlanta, 21 June; Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center, Tampa, 23 June; Bob Carr
Performing Arts Center, Orlando, 25 June; Knight Performing Arts Center, Miami,
27 June.
# # #
Style guide note: When reporting about The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, please use the complete name of the Church in
the first reference. For a subsequent reference, the full name or the
contractions "the Church of Jesus Christ" or "the Church"
are appropriate. For more information on the use of the name of the Church, go
to www.media.lds.org under Quick Facts and
FAQ's, Style Guide.
