This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2010, and information in the article may be outdated.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.
Singer-songwriter, "American Idol" finalist and Murray native David Archuleta will join the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for their annual Christmas concerts, titled "Christmas With the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square."
In an interview, Archuleta (who turns 20 on Dec. 28) said he began rehearsing with the Choir Tuesday, and admitted being star-struck. As a child he grew up listening to "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcasts, and day-dreaming about how "cool [it would] be to be in the Choir, especially for the Christmas shows," he said.
When Archuleta was approached earlier this year, he was surprised, and said, "There was a little bit of time when I freaked out." And then when he rehearsed with them for the first time, he said he told himself, "Wow." He continued: "You feel so small. It was humbling." Archuleta's biggest challenge, he said, is to "complement all those other voices and instruments," and to avoid being "self-indulgent."
He considers this to be one of the highlights of a signing career that has only just begun. After tonight's performance, he will be the downtown Deseret Book (45 W. South Temple) from about 9:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. signing copies of his latest album, "The Other Side of Down."
When • Friday, Dec. 17 at 7:30 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 18 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, Dec. 19 at 10 a.m.Where • Conference Center, 60 W. North Temple, Salt Lake CityTickets • Free, but patrons are required to have a ticket given out during a random selection process earlier in the year. Standby tickets for those without tickets will not be issued. However, patrons are invited to stand by for last-minute seating each evening and on Sunday morning. The standby line will form at the North Gate on Temple Square at 6 p.m. for the evening performances and at 7:30 a.m. for the Sunday broadcast.