Recently the Choir organization announced name changes to two of its music ensembles—along with The Tabernacle Choir’s new visual identity—to provide name consistency across the Choir organization.

Going forward, the bell choir will be known as “Bells at Temple Square” and the training choir ensemble will be known as “Chorale at Temple Square.” Previously published articles and videos using the prior ensemble names will not be changed.

Watch this Bells performance to see why they are such favorites on Temple Square!

Currently within the Choir organization, there are four performing ensembles: The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, Orchestra at Temple Square, Bells at Temple Square, and Chorale at Temple Square. “The” is only a part of the official name of the Choir; it is not used with the other ensemble names except in certain instances for readability. (Note: For each of the music ensembles, a standard three-letter abbreviation will be used to designate the Choir ensembles: TBC for the Choir, OTS for the Orchestra, BTS for the Bells, and CTS for the Chorale.)

Bells at Temple Square

Bells at Temple Square, a hand-bell choir of 34 volunteer musicians, enhances the concerts and recordings of The Tabernacle Choir and performs two hand-bell concerts in the Tabernacle each year. The Choir has used hand-bells for many years to provide a distinctive complement to its music. In 2005 the Choir organized an official hand-bell choir made possible after a donation of a 7-octave set of English hand-bells, a 6½-octave set of hand-bells, and two 6-octave sets of hand chimes was received. LeAnna Willmore conducts the hand-bell choir and is assisted by associate conductor, Geoff Anderson.

Chorale at Temple Square

Chorale at Temple Square, organized in 1999, is the training ensemble for The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. Participation in Chorale along with completion of its companion Choir School curriculum is the sixteen-week preparation required prior to admission into the Choir. Choir School includes instruction in vocal technique, sight-reading skills, and music theory. The sixteen-week sessions conclude with a final exam plus a public concert led by Ryan Murphy, conductor of the Chorale and associate music director of the Choir. Once new members are admitted to the Choir, they also are required to sing in a second session of Chorale the following year. Cherilyn Worthen directs the Choir School, assisted by Choir vocal coach Rebecca Wilberg and Temple Square organists Linda Margetts and Joseph Peeples.