You don't have to wait for general conference to hear these recognizable voices.
Previously coined "America's Choir," the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has become an American icon. Its powerful and unique sound is heard and appreciated well beyond the LDS community.
Even in some unexpected places. The choir's music can be heard everywhere from Hollywood movies to Las Vegas Boulevard. You might even say its sound is out of this world.
"Captain's log. Mars date January 2004. This is the fourth day since the rover, Spirit, landed on Mars. The first colored pictures from the rover have been received. Signing off."
After a congratulatory call from President George W. Bush, NASA's Spirit team honored the occasion by waking up the rover with "Hail to the Chief," performed by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
In Las Vegas, one thousand fountains, 4,500 lights, 20 million gallons of water and the iconic sound of the choir combine to create one of the most popular attractions on the Las Vegas Strip each Christmas season. The Bellagio fountains' playlist includes the choir's rendition of "The Hallelujah Chorus." The grand sound fits the breathtaking water show from the second largest fountain in the world.
Remember that epic scene in "Star Wars" where Obi-Wan Kenobi and Qui-Gon Jinn battle Darth Maul to the song "Duel of the Fates," sung dramatically in the background? Not the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, but it would have been sweet if it was.
The choir has been heard in other movies, however, such as DreamWorks' "Madagascar." (Outside record labels hold the rights to control some music by the choir, which now operates under its own recording label.)
Bred in captivity, Marty the zebra desires one thing — freedom. And there is one choir you can count on to capture that emotion. In the opening scene of "Madagascar," the choir's "Born Free" sets the mood to Marty's dream of liberation.
It isn't Christmas without the choir's version of "Silent Night." And you know Christmas is coming when "A Christmas Story" is playing on repeat in homes across America. It seems only fitting that these two Christmas favorites join forces to create a classic Christmas tradition — and they did.
At the conclusion of the movie chronicling Ralphie's many antics to receive a coveted Red Ryder BB gun, the strains of this choir favorite in the final scene quietly remind us of the true meaning of the season.
During election time in Paramount Pictures' "The Stepford Wives," the choir sings the national anthem to welcome the new candidate. The choir's music has even made it into an Oscar-nominated foreign film.
So next time you hear a choir, even in a place you previously might not have expected, don't be surprised.
It may just be the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
e-mail: hloftus@desnews.com, wbutters@desnews.com