This special interfaith event, “Witnesses of Christmas, was filmed from both Copenhagen’s historic Church of Our Lady and the visitor’s center near the Rome temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Music was provided by Jenny Oaks Baker and the Family Four and soprano Alex Sharpe. Narration was provided by Danish actor Tomas Ambt Kofod, who begins in the Church of our Lady (home of Bertel Thorvaldsen’s Christus statue, as well as statues depicting the original twelve apostles). A replica of the Christus and the other statues can also be seen in the background at the Rome temple visitor’s center behind the musicians.

This special Christmas presentation includes “memorable musical performances blended with a biblical account of our Savior’s humble birth in Bethlehem. Encounter the diverse cultures of Europe as you watch holiday traditions in this unique Christmas event.”

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Jenny Oaks Baker, a Mormon woman (member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) has been nominated for a Grammy. This is her first music video, a fun take on “A Whole New World.”

Fast facts about Jenny Oaks Baker:

• She’s a wife and dedicated mother of four. In this Washington Post article, she says: “I’ll drop everything to be there  for my kids. Being a good mother is my number one priority.” (See this article for more about her life.)
• Was performing with a symphony at age eight
• Received her bachelor’s degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and a master’s degree from the Juilliard School in New York City
• Retired from her seven-year position as first-chair violinist of the National Symphony Orchestra in Washington, D.C. to be more available for her family
• Has performed at Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, the Kennedy Center, the Library of Congress and with the National Symphony, Jerusalem Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, and the Utah Symphony Orchestra
• In addition to her Grammy-nominated album, she’s had another album (Then Sings My Soul) that got to No. 1 on the Billboard Charts.
• Music plays a significant part in her family life (all of her children are musicians) and in her faith.
• Daughter of Elder Dallin H. Oaks, who is a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Her violin is over 200 years old. (See this interview with Jenny Oaks Baker.

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MORE GOOD FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES LAUNCH OF MORMONMUSIC.ORG

OREM, UT, April 6, 2009 – The More Good Foundation—non-profit creator of quality websites, social networks, and virtual communities facilitating peer-to-peer dialog between Mormons and friends of all faiths online–launched MormonMusic.org today.

MormonMusic.org will provide a rich and flexible platform for online music lovers to stream, download, and enjoy both prominent and new or up-and-coming LDS musical selections—from jazz piano and classical guitar to inspirational vocals and seasonal choral numbers. First featured artists include Abe Mills, Jon Schmidt, Hilary Weeks, Kenneth Cope, Michael Dowdle, Jessie Clark Funk, Jenny Oaks Baker, Sam Payne, and scores more. In addition to these well-known Wasatch Front musicians, over 800 musical selections from newly discovered LDS singers and musicians worldwide, performing in their native language, are featured on the site.

While a couple other LDS Music sites stream music to listeners, MormonMusic.org is unique in its design, functionality, and intent. Features of MormonMusic.org, developed by Heather Newell, include user-generated playlists—topically, or by genre or artist; top-rated LDS songs; customized user profiles (with favorite albums, videos, most recently played songs); favorites-ranking; selected free downloads of prominent and newly discovered LDS music talent; LDS music news; and variable, embeddable playlists.
The site will also highlight each artist, sharing not only their music and upcoming venues, but their lives and beliefs through personal biographies, photo and video galleries, and link-backs to the artists’ own websites and blogs.

This site signifies a significant milestone for the More Good Foundation in reaching out across media channels via MormonMusic.org. According to MGF President, Jonathan Johnson, “The vision is multi-dimensional. First, it is a way to extend the powerful, spirit-filled, expressive medium of music to those across the globe from Kiev to Quatar, some of whom may not have immediate or any access to affordable LDS CDs—providing them with some free downloadable selections of quality orchestral, instrumental, or vocal music streaming in their homes that might not otherwise be possible. Secondly, the site is intended to be a gathering place for friends of other faiths to have a glimpse into our lives and music. By getting to know our artists, listening to uplifting music and reading about their faith-infused lives, misperceptions about us as a people will likely be dispelled and doors opened to conversations about our beliefs.”

The More Good Foundation is a 501(c)3 non-profit, and is funded by individual donors interested in providing accurate information and quality multi-media content about members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints online.

For more information, please visit www.moregoodfoundation.org, or contact Karen Merkley, Director of PR and Marketing for the More Good Foundation, 801-705-5104.

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