What’s New with The Tabernacle Choir
On August 17, 2012, Broadway actress Rebecca Luker joined Stanford Olsen and Dallyn Vail Bayles on the Conference Center stage to perform for President Thomas S. Monson’s 85th birthday celebration. Hall of Fame quarterback Steve Young and news anchor Jane Clayson Johnson were the masters of ceremony for the evening.
In 1995, Gordon B. Hinckley (1910–2008), became the 15th President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Under his leadership, the Church doubled its number of existing temples to beyond 100. At the time of his passing in 2008, President Hinckley had dedicated more temples than all of the other Church leaders of this dispensation combined. Church membership grew from 9 million to more than 15 million during his presidency.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir announced Monday, January 22, 2018, that Dr. Brian Mathias has been appointed a full-time Tabernacle organist. Mathias joins a long line of distinguished musicians who have served as organists on Temple Square, continuing a tradition that stretches back to early pioneer days. The renowned Mormon Tabernacle Choir organists are key members of the Choir’s musical family and perform at the highest professional standard of artistry as they bring the sound of the iconic Tabernacle organ to life for tens of thousands of fans throughout the world. The organists perform in daily organ recitals as well as performances with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir in telecasts, recordings, tours, concerts, and other appearances. With Dr. Mathias’s appointment, there are now four full-time Tabernacle organists—Richard Elliott, Clay Christiansen, and Andrew Unsworth—with two part-time organists, Bonnie Goodliffe and Linda Margetts.
The hymn “Israel, Israel, God Is Calling” is about God’s invitation to “come to Zion.”
Star Wars has officially taken over the box office, and its influence has now infiltrated the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah.
“The best antidote I know for worry is work. The best medicine for despair is service. The best cure for weariness is the challenge of helping someone who is even more tired.” —Gordon B. Hinckley
On January 12, 2018, funeral services for President Thomas S. Monson, leader of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints were held in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City, Utah. President Monson died from causes incident to age on January 2, 2018, in Salt Lake City at the age of 90.
The work of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square rarely takes a breather—and this year will not be an exception!
If you are looking for excuses to join your school or church choir or even the The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square (audition information here), here is some great scientific backup to keep your inner choir light burning.