From Deseret News archives:
LDS choir CD creating waves on Web
The choir's latest Christmas album, "Spirit of the Season," recently was nominated for two Grammy awards and has topped Billboard's classical music chart for several weeks in a row, bringing added exposure for the choir and by extension, leaders say, the church both within the United States and internationally.
The CD helped facilitate one of the choir's latest moves to use technology as a way to gain broader exposure for the church, according to choir general manager Scott Barrick. After a discussion with a high-traffic interfaith Web site, beliefnet.com, in New York last fall, selected clips from the choir's 2006 Christmas concert featuring Norwegian vocalist Sissel are available on the home page for visitors to view.
Conductor Craig Jessop introduces the musical clips as a "beliefnet exclusive," and viewers can then hear the choir sing one carol before Sissel is shown singing a second selection from the concert at the Conference Center downtown.
Barrick said the beliefnet exclusive was a way to generate interest in the church itself as well as to promote the CD.
Beliefnet's traffic is about 3 million unique visitors per month, Caldwell said. "Generally with features like this, it takes a little while. We wanted to attract people over the next few days before Christmas. Just like any site, some people come right away, and others are not coming every day. People may open the newsletter in two to three days and see a link to it."
At this point, the site is hosting a contest for those who click on the choir's video and want to win one of the concert CDs. Viewers are asked to respond with their five favorite Christmas songs for a chance to win.
The publicity comes at no cost to the church, Caldwell said, noting the Web site is constantly in contact with faith groups from all across the religious spectrum.
Recent comments
There are some good examples below your comment of rationalization....
Good Comment Amy | Dec. 29, 2007 at 10:29 p.m.
I agree with the above commenter who said Sissel is what makes this...
Stenar | Dec. 28, 2007 at 9:15 a.m.
"Spirit of the Season" is a delightful CD. Sissel has a wonderful,...
Pat H | Dec. 23, 2007 at 3:55 p.m.
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