The word “vorfreude” in the German language means “the joyful anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures.” The 2020 year for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is such a year!

The 2020 year will offer some unique and special performances in addition to regularly scheduled events which happen each year including the weekly Music & the Spoken Word programs, annual Christmas concert, and conferences and devotionals of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Choir plans a major international tour to the Nordic countries and the United Kingdom, the release of two new recordings, and a special concert for the American Choral Directors Association.

Here is some information to add to your “joyful anticipation”:

March 7: American Choral Directors Association Concert

The Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will perform for the Western Region Conference of the American Choral Directors Association (ACDA) in the Salt Lake Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. The public is welcome. No tickets are required.

March 20-21: Temple Square Chorale/Orchestra at Temple Square Concert

This annual concert will be held in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. Repertoire and ticket information will be released at a later date.

April 10-11: Messiah Concert 2020

The Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square will present Handel’s Messiah concert live in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and on April 11, live streamed on the Internet throughout the world and later re-broadcast on BYUtv. Since 2014, the Choir and Orchestra have performed Messiah every two years.

During 2018 Messiah performances, audiences joined the Choir via the digital stream in their homes with family and friends, or with larger groups in churches, schools, and community centers. Many joined with their own Messiah events using the on-demand Internet stream available from the Choir’s website for a limited period following the live performance. This tradition continues to be a wonderful way to celebrate the birth, life, and resurrection of Christ with people all over the world.

June 11: 2020 Choir and Orchestra Pre-Tour Concert

The Choir and Orchestra will present their tour concert in the Salt Lake Tabernacle for friends and family prior to their departure on their tour. The concert will be open to the public. No tickets will be required.

June 12: Bells on Temple Square Spring Concert

This annual concert will be held in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. Repertoire and ticket information will be released at a later date.

June 25-July 16: 2020 Heritage Tour

The Choir and Orchestra will be giving concerts in Stockholm, Sweden; Helsinki, Finland; Copenhagen, Denmark; Oslo, Norway, Cardiff, Wales; Newport, Wales, and Edinburgh, Scotland.

Check here for more information as concert venue and ticket information become available.

July 18: Music & the Spoken Word - Special Television and Internet Broadcast

Celebrating over 90-years of continuous weekly broadcasting of the acclaimed Music & the Spoken Word, this special program will be shown on television, BYUtv—the family entertainment cable station--and live streamed over the internet. Starting with a single microphone on a local radio station in 1929 during the early years of commercial radio, Music & the Spoken Word has continued to grow and expand its audience over television and now world-wide over the internet. This TV and internet special will celebrate the program’s history and impact on audiences everywhere.

October 23-24: Orchestra at Temple Square Fall Concert

This annual concert will be held in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. Repertoire and ticket information will be released at a later date.

November 20-21: Bells on Temple Square Holiday Concert

This annual concert will be held in the Tabernacle at 7:30 p.m. Repertoire and ticket information will be released at a later date.

December 10-12: The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square Christmas Concerts

This annual concert will be held in the Conference Center at 8;00 p.m. Guest artist and ticket information will be released at a later date.

New Recordings in 2020

May: Watch for the release of The Choir and Orchestra’s new 2020 recording. This has music that will appeal to all ages! The actual date of release will be announced soon.

October: In October, the 2020 Christmas CD and DVD, recorded during the 2019 Christmas concerts featuring Kelli O’Hara and Richard Thomas, will be released.

NOTE: Specific details of each event – along with other events—will be posted on the Choir’s website at www.thetabernaclechoir.org as soon as each become available.