25 Answers About The Mormon Tabernacle Choir
1. Did the musician Sting ever sing with the Choir?
During the opening ceremony at the 2002 Winter Olympics, the Choir joined 16-time Grammy Award winner2. Why is the Choir called “America’s Choir?”
It was President Reagan who first referred to the Choir as “America’s Choir.” He would go on to say, “At my first inauguration as president of the United States, I wanted very much to reignite the fires of liberty and re-inspire the American spirit. And no one sings the anthems of America quite like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.”3. Were nails used in building the Salt Lake Tabernacle?
Contrary to popular belief, nails were used to build the Salt Lake Tabernacle, which is the home of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. In fact, tens of thousands of nails were used in the construction, as documented in4. Why is 60 the age limit for Choir members?
It all started in 1974, when Jerold Ottley was asked to be the director of the Choir. At the time, the President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Spencer W. Kimball, counseled him to “take a close look at everything that the organization stands for—all of its traditions, all of its habits, all of its dreams and hopes for the future, and try to massage them so they will fit the world in which we are now living.”After some time and thought, Ottley proposed the new retirement policy of 60 years of age or 20 years of service, whichever came first. The change was very hard for some at the beginning, but they stuck to the policy so everyone knew when it was coming.
5. Why aren’t Christmas concerts broadcast live on television or online?
This is a great question that we hear quite often. We are thrilled at the amazing response to the Christmas concert and blessed that we have the Conference Center, where nearly 85,000 people can attend.We don’t broadcast the concert live or post it immediately. Instead we produce a PBS TV special, a DVD with fascinating bonus footage, and a CD, all available starting in September of the next year.
6. How is Choir seating determined?
It has a lot to do with height. Since 2006, Choir members have been assigned seats according to height as often as possible. This makes it easier for them to see the conductor and creates a more uniform appearance for the cameras.7. Why does the conductor face the audience and sing during “God Be with You Till We Meet Again”?
In 1974, the Choir’s 11th conductor, Richard P. Condie, was set to retire. On his last broadcast, he came up with a plan to avoid all the sad good-byes and unwittingly started a new tradition for the beloved concluding song. Here is an excerpt from the book America’s Choir: A Commemorative Portrait of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir:“Condie gave the Choir the downbeat, and then, with no fanfare, simply set down his baton, stepped down from the podium, and walked out of the Tabernacle. Since that day in 1974, the conductor, at the conclusion of each performance, has put down his baton, turned to the audience, and joined the Choir in singing those poignant words, ‘God be with you till we meet again.’”