After considering taped auditions from 70 groups, the hall picked the Haslett High School Chorale of Haslett, Michigan; Martin High School Chorale of Arlington, Texas; and Box Elder High School Concert Chorus of Brigham City, Utah. The three groups will rehearse in their hometowns with Mormon Tabernacle Choir director Craig Jessop over the course of the school year, and their directors will travel to Salt Lake City for an additional workshop with Jessop. The festival culminates in a series of rehearsals and a concert on March 14, 2006, in Carnegie Hall's Isaac Stern auditorium.

The program will feature Ralph Vaughan Williams' Dona Nobis Pacem and the world premiere of a new work by Mack Wilberg, associate director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. The Orchestra of St. Luke's will accompany the choirs.