Celebrating its 30th anniversary, the O.C. Tanner Gift of Music Concert will host singer and songwriter James Taylor for this year's concert on Sept. 6 and 7 at the Conference Center on Temple Square.
Taylor will be joined by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Utah Symphony, which perform at the concert annually. Mack Wilberg will conduct.
In a press release, Wilberg said he had worked with Taylor to create a concert that highlights Taylor's past experience singing with choruses and symphonies, while also playing some of his fans' favorite pieces.
Taylor has performed with symphonies and choirs across the country, including the Pittsburgh Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Boston Symphony Orchestra. In his four-decade career, Taylor has sold more than 100 million albums and won five Grammy Awards.
"We have wanted to have him join us in concert for many years, and this 30th anniversary program just seemed like the perfect opportunity," Wilberg said in the press release.
While the concert is free, the high demand for tickets means most tickets are distributed through random selection. A limited number of tickets are available to season ticket holders of the Utah Symphony or Utah Opera.
Those interested in entering the ticket lottery may register at lds.org/events for the chance to receive tickets. Online registration begins Saturday, July 27, at 12:01 a.m. and closes Monday, Aug. 5 at 11:59 p.m.
Individuals can also register over the phone by calling 801-570-0080.
Only one registration per household is permitted. Each household can request a maximum of two tickets.
While standby tickets will not be issued, those not able to get tickets are welcome to stand by for last-minute tickets the night of the concert.
The O.C. Tanner Gift of Music series began in 1983 when Obert C. Tanner and his neighbor, then-apostle and future president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Gordon B. Hinckley, wanted to organize a free community event with the choir and symphony. Tanner endowed a trust to fund the annual event, while Elder Hinckley began the tradition of the LDS Church hosting the concert on Temple Square.
Katie Harmer is a journalism graduate of Brigham Young University and writes for Mormon Times. Email: kharmer@deseretnews.com Twitter: harmerk