As the Choir and Orchestra stepped off the tour buses at the Jahrhunderthalle convention center in Frankfurt, Germany, comments like, “This looks like Epcot Center,” or “It’s kind of like the Tabernacle” could be heard among the crowd in describing the dome-shaped building. The relatively quick bus ride was appreciated by the entire touring company, and everyone was rested and ready to give their all for the concert. 

Once again, the Choir received a standing ovation and performed a double encore, which included “Battle Hymn of the Republic” and “God Be with You Till We Meet Again.” The Frankfurt concert was the fifth concert of the Choir’s 2016 European Tour and was another sell-out crowd.

Long-time Choir fan and retired Lutheran pastor Volker Schmitt-Illert attended the concert and got to fulfill a lifelong dream of singing with the Choir during soundcheck. He said, “It was a dream fulfilled because I wished I could sing with the Choir at least once in my life.” He added, “I’m a choir director myself also, and I can appreciate what a wonderful instrument Mack Wilberg created.”

Also in attendance was Trevor Clarke, 82, who attended four concerts in all after traveling from Sydney, Australia. When speaking about the concerts he’s attended, Clarke marveled, “To be in those great venues with the German people and hear them go absolutely wild with enthusiasm for what they’re hearing, [it’s] great—the Choir and the Orchestra deserve every bit of it.”

Choir member Sonja Poulter, who joined announcer Lloyd Newell on stage for German audiences said in an interview with Mormon Newsroom, “I am from Frankfurt, Germany … the reason I want to do music is because I think it’s the most wonderful form to praise the Lord—to sing. And I believe that when people sing of Christ—if one person speaks of Christ, that’s powerful—but when people sing together of Christ that is magical and powerful beyond measure.”

Watch the Choir and Orchestra perform a few of the songs that are performed on tour: