Virtual Choir Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YouTube Singers and Choirs Wanted for an Epic Easter Digital
Collaboration with the World-Renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir
Singers, YouTube celebrities, and fans join in celebrating Easter through song

SALT LAKE CITY (Feb. 10, 2016) — For the first time ever, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is extending an open invitation to people around the world to sing and perform with them virtually this Easter.

The Choir is asking for singers, choirs, and fans alike all over the world to upload a YouTube recording singing one of four parts (soprano, alto, tenor or bass) of the well-known “Hallelujah” chorus from George Frideric Handel’s Messiah. The best performances and choral voices will be featured in a “virtual choir” performance with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.

“Handel’s Messiah is an extremely powerful oratorio, especially the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus,” said Ryan Murphy, associate music director for the Choir. “It is well-known and well loved. It’s an honor for us to perform it, and we are delighted to extend the invitation to join us to singers all over the world.”

To help singers record and upload their videos, participants can access the sheet music, a sing-along video for each part, and conducting by music director Mack Wilberg. Once their video is recorded, singers can upload it to YouTube and copy the URL into a simple submission form. For the sheet music, sing-along videos, and complete information on how to participate, visit virtualchoir.mormon.org. Entries will be accepted through Tuesday, March 1 and the final virtual choir performance video will be released on Sunday, March 13.

Musicians and YouTube stars like Peter Hollens and Tiffany Alvord have already expressed interest in this project and are encouraging their fans to upload their own recordings. Peter and his wife, Evynne, are providing the vocals for the sing-along videos.

“I am thrilled to be a part of this experience,” said Peter Hollens. “Singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has always been a dream of mine, and since I don’t live in Utah, this is definitely the next best thing! For anyone who is considering it, opportunities like this are so rare, and it would be a serious shame to miss.”

The Grammy Award-winning, all-volunteer Mormon Tabernacle Choir is made up of 360 men and women who join their talents to create their trademark, instantly recognizable sound. They are accompanied by the Orchestra at Temple Square, a 150-member symphony that is likewise all volunteer. Their world-famous sound is under the direction of music director Mack Wilberg and associate music director Ryan Murphy. On March 4, 2016, the Choir and Orchestra will release a new recording of Handel’s Messiah in two versions: the Complete Oratorio and a 60-minute highlights version. They will stream Messiah live on Good Friday, March 25 at 7:30 p.m. MST from a performance in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. See motab.org/messiah for details.

For general information about the Choir, visit http://www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/ or see more of their performances on their YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/ MormonTabChoir

Virtual Choir Information: Haley Lundberg | haley@boncom.com | 661-932-5984
General Choir Information: Kim Farah | kim.farah@mormontabernaclechoir.org | 801-240 1977