Fans of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir are in for a huge treat next week during the American Choral Director’s Association (ACDA) Conference in Salt Lake City, UT. The Choir will have a special kiosk set up that will allow Choir fans registered for the ACDA conference to fulfill their lifelong dream of singing with the Choir. That’s right—you will have the opportunity to sing “Amazing Grace” along with a recording of the Choir while “standing in” with a backdrop of the Choir. The performance will be recorded and given to the participants who are brave enough to share their talent in front of the camera.

“Amazing Grace,” was arranged by the Choir’s director, Mack Wilberg, and is often performed on tour and during special performances. The video below was from the 2011 tour and was performed along the banks of the Missouri River. The arrangement begins with bagpipes, followed by the men singing in unison and gradually builds into an inspiring finale. Of the hymn, Wilberg said, "It's a perfect marriage of text and tune… it just resonates in a way that few other hymns do." He added, "It has universal appeal.”

This is the first time in 30 years that ACDA will be held in Salt Lake City. “It is an honor to be a part of this remarkable conference,"  says Wilberg "It truly shows the breadth of choral music worldwide by bringing together those who champion the positive inspiration choral music brings to both performers and listeners,”

The concerts and special events will take place February 25-28.  The February 26 and 27 concerts by the Choir and Orchestra are open only to Conference registrants.  The Saturday, February 28 concert is open to the public but only standby seating is available.  That concert will feature recent Choir guest artist, Santino Fontana, and Grammy winner Sylvia McNair as well as the U.S. Air Force Singing Sergeants and ACDA National Conference Honor Choirs. The conference will bring together thousands of choral directors and singers and feature world-class performances.

Not able to attend the ACDA Conference?  Watch carefully--you might see a similar opportunity at some of the Choir tour locations this summer!  

Below is the video and lyrics to "Amazing Grace" if you'd like to sing along with the video and start practicing for your performance with the Choir.

Amazing Grace (Lyrics)

Amazing grace! How sweet the sound

That saved a wretch like me.

I once was lost, but now am found,

Was blind, but now I see.

The Lord has promised good to me


His word my hope secures;


He will my shield and portion be,


As long as life endures.

Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,


and mortal life shall cease,


I shall possess within the veil,


A life of joy and peace

When we've been here ten thousand years

Bright shining as the sun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

We've no less days to sing God's praise

Than when we've first begun.

Begun, begun, begun, begun, begun