The Mormon Tabernacle Choir By The Numbers

3,500,000,000—Over 3.5 billion television viewers saw the Choir perform in the Opening Ceremonies of the 2002 Olympic Winter Games in Salt Lake City. 

11,623—The Tabernacle organ has 11,623 pipes.

7,708—The Conference Center organ has 7,708 pipes.

4,369—By the start of the 2013 tour, the Choir will have completed 4,369 broadcasts of Music & the Spoken Word.

2,000—Over 2,000 radio, television, Internet, and cable stations that carry the Music & the Spoken Word broadcast.

1,200—The Choir travels with about 1,200 pieces of luggage.

360—The Choir is made up of 360 sopranos, altos, tenors, and basses.

200—The Choir has made nearly 200 recordings since 1910.

75—On average, the Choir performs 75 times each year.

62—There are 62 members of the Orchestra at Temple Square who accompany the Choir while on tour.

46—There are 46 husband-and-wife couples who serve in the Choir organization.

28—The Choir has visited 28 countries outside of the United States.

20—Choir members serve for a maximum of 20 years or age 60, whichever comes first.

13—The Choir has performed at 13 World’s Fairs and Expositions since 1893.

11—The Choir is transported in 11 buses while on tour.

10—There have been 10 United States presidents who have personally heard the Choir  perform.

6—The Choir has performed for 6 presidential inaugurals: Lyndon B. Johnson (1965), Richard Nixon (1969, 1973), Ronald Regan (1981), George H. W. Bush (1989), and George W. Bush (2001).

5—The Choir rehearses a minimum of 5 hours each week.

5—The Choir has earned 5 gold records (sales of 500,000 units).

4—It takes 4 semi-tractor/trailers to haul the Choir’s equipment on tour.

4—There are 4 trucks used to move the Choir’s luggage on tour. 

3—Music & the Spoken Word has had 3 program announcers in its 84 years of continuous broadcasting: Richard L. Evans (1930-1971), J. Spencer Kinard (1972-1990), Lloyd D. Newell (1990-present).

2—The Choir has earned 2 platinum records (sales of 1,000,000 units).

1—A Grammy Award was presented to Richard P. Condie, music director of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences for Best Performance by a Vocal Group or Chorus – 1959 for “Battle Hymn of the Republic” with Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra. 

1—The Choir won an Emmy Award for the 1987 musical special “Christmas Sampler” with Shirley Verrett.