"I love all music," Wilberg said, indicating he believes his style is similar to that of his predecessor. "No one will miss Craig (Jessop) more than myself."

"Life is full of surprises," Thompson said. "The surprise has worn off but not the honor" of his new appointment.

He said he has great respect for Wilberg and is no stranger to him in the professional sense.

"A whole new world opened up for me, and I loved it," Thompson said of his service to the choir.

Wilberg said he's thrilled with Thompson's appointment and described him as having "unparalleled abilities."

Thompson also had been the music director for the U.'s A Capella Choir, as well as conductor of the Utah Symphony Chorus and a member of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. He was serving in a volunteer capacity to the choir at the time of his appointment as interim assistant.

A search committee is being formed to conduct a churchwide search for the new associate music director. Applications will be accepted beginning in August. They will be reviewed through the end of the year, with an appointment by the First Presidency anticipated in spring 2009.

Christensen said the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is supported by some 600 volunteers. There are only 11 people on its payroll.

"It's like opening Christmas presents," he said of the thrill of singing at general conference, the "Spoken Word" and other events.

Despite rumors circulating of possible other changes to the choir under President Monson, Christensen said those are unfounded.

"I haven't seen anything to support that," he said. "It will go as it always does."

Christensen said he believes President Monson and the late President Gordon B. Hinckley are were on the same page as far as the direction of the choir. "They love the choir. It's a great tool for the church."

Christensen said the choir has an unmeasurable impact on the church's success in missionary work.

"The choir can open doors and minds where no one else can," he said.

For more information on the choir, go to www.mormontabernaclechoir.org.

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E-mail: lynn@desnews.com