Here is how it happened:
On Dec. 10, orchestra director Kason Brown announced to the orchestra that David Archuleta had invited the orchestra to join him on stage as part of his SLC Christmas concert in Abravanel Hall.
On Dec. 14th they got the music and practiced with composer Sam Cardon.
On Dec. 19th they rehearsed one song with David before going on live in front of a sold out audience.
The orchestra arrived at Abravanel Hall and quickly discovered there was a lot show organizers were still working out - like where to put the orchestra on stage and off. We began in a cramped, hot theater where the choirs were warming up. There was some arguing going on as to where to put the orchestra on stage as well. Needless to say, the dress rehearsal began more than an hour late after bring the orchestra on stage only to pull them back off and then bring them back in again. There were very strict rules about where the orchestra could and couldn't hang out which were on one hand understandable but on the other it would have been nice if they had showed the orchestra a little more respect. After their rehearsal, the tour company provided some cheap pizza and a few bottles of soda for the orchestra to eat siting on the floor in a hallway. (Not a favorite part of the night.) It was after this that the night got better.
Once the show began and the VIP receptions were over, they moved the orchestra to a meeting room above the lobby in Abravanel Hall that was very comfortable (it even had chairs). There was a wall of windows that overlooked temple square which was beautiful all lit up for Christmas. There was a small tv on which we could watch what was happening on stage. Kayson gave the orchestra a speech about how he knew they were frustrated about how the night had gone but "welcome to the world of professional music". He said confusion and last minute changes are usually how things go which calmed everyone down a bit.
David Archuletta literally ran in the room to talk to the orchestra before the show. He told them he wanted them to remember that the songs they were playing were celebrating Jesus Christ and that it was important to him to share that message with his audience. He asked the orchestra if they would pray with him and Kayson asked Graig to say the prayer. He then ran out to get ready to go on stage.
The orchestra set up during intermission and was on stage through the whole second half of the show. I (Mary) was helping as a chaperon with the orchestra and I got to watch the orchestra play from backstage. Graig said he was surprised how loud the audience and the music was and realized why musicians wear ear plugs on stage. Of course it was the loudest when David announced his plans to serve and LDS mission. Graig was right next to the edge of the stage and there were a few audience members he wondered if they were going to climb right up on the stage. They didn't, but they did pound on the stage with their fists.
David Burger with the Salt Lake Tribune gave this review of the concert:
(He wasn't real impressed with the opening act or first half of the show.)
"But the highlights came in the second half, when adult and children choirs joined Archuleta, along with the Lyceum Philharmonic Orchestra from American Heritage School in American Fork. This is where Archuleta’s show shined, along with his fine selection of songs, which were unorthodox but exciting compared to the tried-but-true-but-boring selections of other holiday shows. Archuleta’s rendition of "Ave Maria" was breathtaking in its reverence and phrasing, and his performance of the French Christmas carol "Pat-a-pan," with a rollicking arrangement from Kurt Bestor, was fun and galloping." (The orchestra played both "Ave Maria" and "Pat-a-Pan")
Thanks to professional photographer Luke Isley who had a press pass during the show and took most of these pictures.
