He extolled Jessop's ability to connect with an audience, sometimes in novel and spontaneous ways. "On tour in Boston," he said, "we were with the Boston Pops. We sang to over a million people; they fell in love with us, and we fell in love with them. We were on the 'Today' show in New York City. It was raining cats and dogs. We were outside. All of a sudden, he had them 'Singing in the Rain'."

The annual Christmas concerts of the choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square have become a much-anticipated spectacle under Jessop's baton. Christensen expressed amazement at Jessop's ability to get the choir, orchestra, bell ringers, guest artists and dancers working together. "He's not belligerent; he listens. He's fantastic. He knows what he wants, and he is so easy to work with.

"You see the artists that come in — whether it's Angela Lansbury, or Bryn Terfel from Wales — they'll come in and they're wondering about it. He starts to work with them. All of a sudden they'll do anything for Craig. The relationships that he's built for the choir, for the church, for the state, for the United States, the relationships are unreal."

Though he said the resignation was shocking for him personally, Christensen reflected on Jessop's accomplishments with affection, saying he cares about individuals. "You can never tell him anything sad, because he'll cry," he said.

Regarding the choir's future without Jessop, Christensen said, "It's going to be hard. But the beautiful thing is he set it up. He showed us how to do it."

As interim director, Wilberg will build on Jessop's accomplishments, Christensen said, noting that the two worked so closely together they could finish each other's sentences.

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E-mail: rscott@desnews.com