You might be surprised to know that the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearses only twice a week—Thursday nights and Sunday mornings before the weekly broadcast of Music & the Spoken Word. Because of the limited rehearsal time, the Choir’s music director, Mack Wilberg, has to maximize each rehearsal, making sure to get each phrase and note correct.

This attention to detail didn’t go unnoticed by Santino Fontana and the puppeteers from Sesame Workshop®, who were guests of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for last year’s Christmas concerts. The concerts were recorded and made into a DVD and CD titled Keep Christmas With You.

“I call him Maestro Mack. He is amazing,” said Carmen Osbahr, who puppeteers Rosita. “It’s really wonderful to hear him working with the Choir and noting them and giving them these amazingly detailed [instructions]," added Ryan Dillon, the voice of Elmo.

Watch this video for a behind-the-scenes look at Santino Fontana and the puppeteers from Sesame Workshop®. Pick up your copy of Keep Christmas With You on DVD on our shop page.