This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
David Archuleta is coming home for Christmas.
The former "American Idol" also-ran from Murray, Utah — whose new album, "The Other Side of Down," hit stores this week — will be the headliner for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's popular Christmas concerts, Dec. 16-19.
Choir president Mac Christensen and musical director Mack Wilberg announced the choice of Archuleta this morning in KSL's "The Doug Wright Show."
"He has so much natural ability, and he's just come into his own," Christensen said.
Negotiations with Archuleta's management have been ongoing for six months. "It was a true miracle," Christensen said.
"This is such a thrill for me — it's awesome," Archuleta told Wright over the phone. "It's actually been a dream of mine. I've grown up listening to the choir all my life."
Archuleta said once attended the Christmas concert in 2006, when the Norwegian singer Sissel performed with the choir. At the time, he thought, "I wonder what it would be like to get to be there."
Performances are Dec. 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m. in the LDS Conference Center. There also will be an open dress rehearsal Dec. 16 at 8 p.m. and a special broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word" Dec. 19 at 9:30 a.m., with mini-concert to follow.
Admission to all events is free, but tickets are required. To enter the random selection process, register online at lds.org/events between 12:01 a.m. this Saturday (Oct. 9) and 11:59 p.m. Oct. 18. (Those without Internet access may call 801-570-0080 or 1-866-LDS-TIKS between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays through Fridays during the registration window.) There is a limit of four tickets per household.