People almost fell out of their chairs a couple of years ago when the choir sang and — what's this?! — danced in front of their seats while singing "Betelehemu," a Nigerian Christmas carol. It's the closest thing to a boogie you'll ever see from the MoTabs.

They also perform these days with big names — readings from Walter Cronkite, Roma Downey, Claire Bloom, Charles Osgood, Peter Graves and Angela Lansbury — and headline singing acts — Sissel, Tony Award-winner Audra McDonald, American soprano Renee Fleming, Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel, American opera diva Frederica von Stade and Gladys Knight without her Pips.

The ideas for songs come from the guest artists and from the vast collected experience of Wilberg and Jessop. Wilberg, for instance, learned "Betelehemu" from a man who sang the song to him and showed him the traditional dance that accompanies it from memory; from that, Wilberg was able to put musical notes on paper for the choir. When they performed it for the first time, "People acted like the Jazz had just scored the winning basket," says longtime choir member Beth Breinholt. "We were stunned."

For his part, Jessop has collected music from around the world in his travels as an Air Force officer, as well as his work with military and civilian choirs and bands.

"We've always tried to celebrate the diversity of the planet and the people who are all united in this faith and belief in the birth of Christ," says Jessop. "They all put their own spin on it."

And Jessop adds his own spin. It helps that he doesn't operate in a classical vacuum. He was in the audience during James Taylor's last concert appearance in Utah, and he has been known to tell the choir during practice sessions, "C'mon, sing it like the Supremes!" Or, "C'mon, be SheDaisy!" He's worked with the likes of Sting, Oak Ridge Boys and Yo-Yo Ma.

For Jessop, nothing tops that moment when he stands in front of the choir, leaning into the face of 360 heavenly voices. "I'm the most blessed man on the planet," he says. "I never take it for granted. I remember when (Utah Symphony conductor) Keith Lockhart led the choir. He looked at me with the biggest smile on his face. He said it was like standing in front of a force of nature, like Niagara Falls or the Grand Canyon. It's one of the wonders of the world."

---

Doug Robinson's column runs on Tuesday. Please send e-mail to drob@desnews.com.