5 Popular Movie Songs Performed by the Choir
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir has an ever-growing repertoire that includes everything from sacred hymns to pop music. Here are five videos of popular movie songs performed by the Choir.
1. Song: Happy
Movie: Despicable Me 2
Singer/Producer Pharrell Williams composed the mega-hit song for the animated sequel to 2010’s Despicable Me. Santino Fontana and the Choir performed the song as part of a stunning “Happy” Medley during the 2014 Pioneer Day Concert.
2. Song: When You Wish Upon a Star
Movie: Pinocchio
“When You Wish Upon a Star” was written by a resident of Utah, Leigh Harline, for the movie Pinocchio. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been covered by many artists including, *NSYNC, Billy Joel and Gene Simmons from the rock group KISS. The song appears on the Choir's album, Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood.
3. Song: Somewhere
Movie: West Side Story
Although “Somewhere” appeared in the original Broadway production of West Side Story, the song was changed for the film to make it a duet between the main characters Tony and Maria. The film eared 10 Academy Awards in 1962 and the soundtrack spent 54 weeks at #1.
4. Song: Over the Rainbow
Movie: The Wizard of Oz
Based on the 1900 novel by L. Frank Baum, the 1939 movie, The Wizard of Oz broke new ground. The song “Over the Rainbow” won an Academy Award , and is listed as the number one song for the Recording Association of America’s 365 Songs of the Century. The song appears on the Choir's album, Showtime! Music of Broadway and Hollywood.
5. Song: Fill the World With Love
Movie: Goodbye Mr. Chips
The Choir and Orchestra perform “Fill the World With Love” from the British film Goodbye Mr. Chips. In the BFI Top 100 British Films poll, the film was voted the 72nd greatest British film ever.