Before the Mormon Tabernacle Choir concerts for those attending the American Choral Director’s Association Conference (ACDA) even began, the Choir was in the spotlight. ACDA’s executive director, Tim Sharp, announced that the Choir had been inducted into the American Classical Music Hall of Fame.  The induction honors the Choir for over 140 years of dedication to the choral arts and for its significant presence in the world of classical music.

Sharp praised the Choir saying, “This remarkable ensemble of 360 volunteers has inspired generations of choral conductors such as you and me through concerts, recordings, broadcasts, tours and prestigious appearances at world fairs and U.S. presidential inaugurations.  Together with the Orchestra at Temple Square, they continue to inspire us with their work.”

Choir President Ron Jarrett, who received the award’s medallion, humbly acknowledged, “We stand on the shoulders of those who have gone before us, dedicating their lives to music because of its power to unite, and give comfort, peace and joy.  We will continue to pursue excellence in song for generations to come. 

The award includes a newly engraved pavement stone, which will be placed on the American Classical Walk of Fame in Cincinnati’s Washington Park. . A mobile app allows park visitors to read biographies of those in the Hall of Fame, view pictures and listen to samples of music, which activates the park’s dancing fountain.

Previous inductees, John Williams, Frederica von Stade, Yo-Yo Ma, Robert Shaw, Weston Noble and Dale Warland, have been guest artists with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Other music legends who have received this honor include Igor Stravinsky, Aaron Copland, George Gershwin, Duke Ellington, and Leonard Bernstein.