Spring 2023 LDS Conference Guide

CONFERENCE

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Spring 2023 General Conference

Singing with joy, enthusiasm and reverence

1200 Towne Centre Blvd, #1058, Provo 801-373-5050

332 Standard Way, Ogden 801-625-4425, 801-625-4333

PUBLISHER Jim Konig

MANAGING EDITOR Ryan Christner

WRITERS Genelle Pugmire Sarah Hunt

DESIGN Ryan Olson

ON THE COVER

Guest artist and baritone Shea Owens joins The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square for the 2022 summer concert in the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. This photo was taken during a July 14, 2022, dress rehearsal.

PHOTO COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

Hymnbooks through the years

A legacy of sacred music

BY SARAH HUNT Daily Herald

In June 2018, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints had a request for members around the world — to submit original sacred music for the

new hymnbook.

As the new international hymnbook draws closer to completion, members of the church are fondly remembering previous editions.

Lois Waterman, a lifelong church member,

remembers first learning to play the piano at 11 years old for her calling as a branch pianist. The role wasn’t her first choice — everyone who could

SARAH HUNT, DAILY HERALD

A collection of modern and historic hymnbooks rest on a piano at Legacy Retirement Home on March 15.

Please see HYMNBOOKS, Page G6

Hymnbooks

play piano in her branch had moved away, and she had been selected for the job by her father, the branch president.

“I told him he knew I cried every time I tried to accompany them in Family Home Evening. I just couldn’t play while people sang. He told me they would set me apart and then with practice he knew I could do it,” Waterman recalled. “It worked

just like he said! Every week I practiced like crazy an opening, closing and sacrament hymn.”

Every hymn she first learned came from the 1948 edition of the hymnbook. This version came encased in a brown or navy blue cover, with blue being the most remembered among members. Waterman also played for Primary using a small bluish-green song book titled “The Children Sing,” published in 1951.

“When I was 13, we got an

organ (for the sacrament hall), and the man who installed it gave me 30 minutes of instruction on how to play it. I was the organist until I was 18,” she said.

When the green hymnbook was released in 1985, she noticed a few changes, including an updated bass clef sign and the addition of a few hymns, including of “How Great Thou Art” and “Our Savior’s Love.” New music was also paired with lyrics from classic hymns

like “Know This, That Every Soul Is Free” and “If You Could Hie to Kolob.”

The hymn “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing,” was missing from this version. It was included in the 1841, 1845 and 1948 editions but was rarely known at the time, so it was omitted.

“Many don’t know that ‘Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing’ (by far the most requested hymn for the current revision) is in the current hymn -

book in 10 languages — just not in the English edition. … When Mack Wilberg created a beautiful new choral arrangement of the hymn in 1993, members of our church — and Christians around the world — fell in love with this hymn all over again,” said Steve Schank, music manager for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Arrangements specifically made for choirs were another feature that was left out of the green hymnbook.

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COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

A young woman plays a hymn on the piano from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Spanish hymnbook.

“I really loved having choir music right in the (blue) book. Some of those hymns were incorporated for the congregation in the green hymnbook, but many were no longer used,” Waterman said.

Some of the popular hymns of Waterman’s youth are not as well known today, but that hasn’t affected her affinity for “Hail to the Brightness of Zion’s Glad Morning,” “Welcome Welcome Sabbath Morning” and “Thanks for the Sabbath School” to name a few. She is excited to see what the new hymnbook will offer.

“It will be interesting to see new hymns, and nice to have the same ones worldwide. I played for the Spanish ward on our mission. There is a hymn in the current Spanish hymnbook that I love that I hope they will translate and include. It’s on page 190, Hay Un Hogar Eterno,” Waterman said

Current foreign hymnbooks frequently contain hymns that incorporate traditions, culture, sayings and meanings that are unique to a specific language or region.

“It is common for all non-English language editions to include unique hymns and songs that are

SARAH HUNT, DAILY HERALD

A collection of modern and historic hymnbooks rest on a piano at Legacy Retirement Home on March 15.

Hymnbooks

READERSCHOICEAWARDS not in the English books. However, the revised collection will offer a unified list of titles and the same hymn numbering in all languages,” Schank said.

family history

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There have been eight major editions of the hymnbooks throughout church history beginning with “A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of the Latter Day Saints” by Emma Smith, which was released in 1835.

Some of these major versions were published church-wide while others were made for local use, including “A Collection of Sacred Hymns for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Europe” (1840) nicknamed “the Manchester Hymnal” and “Latterday Saints’ Psalmody” (1889). Mission presidents in the Northern States Mission in Chicago compiled and published “Songs of Zion” (1908).

There have also been six major children’s songbook editions: “Hymns

and Songs: Selected from various authors, for the Primary Associations of the Children of Zion” by Eliza R. Snow (1880), “The Primary Songbook” (1905) which included songs that some older members still remember, “Little Stories in Song” (1940), “The Children Sing” (1951), “Sing With Me” (1969) and “Children’s Songbook” (1989).

“Hymns and the Children’s Songbook are being revised (and added to) to unify the music used for worship by members around the world … and better reflect the diverse needs of members worldwide. The new printed collections will … provide the same selection of hymns and children’s songs (with the same hymn numbering) in each language,” Schank said.

The church received over 20,000 hymn and primary song suggestions to be considered for inclusion in the new hymnbook by members around the world. Almost 200 member reviewers helped narrow down the suggestions and pick hymns that had the most promise for the new book.

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Music in our worship

BY GENELLE PUGMIRE Daily Herald

It is said the last song the band on the Titanic played before it sank April 14, 1912, was the hymn “Nearer My God to Thee.” That same hymn was sung by the crew and passengers of the SS Valencia six years earlier while it was sinking off the Canadian coast.

Music, particularly hymns, invites the spirit, calms the soul and brings us closer to our deity. In the early days of The Church of Jesus Christ of

Latter-day Saints, Emma Smith, wife of the Prophet Joseph Smith Jr., was given the call through revelation to “make a selection of sacred hymns” and that it was pleasing to the savior to be had in his church.

“For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.” (Doctrine and Covenants section 25:12)

The Doctrine and Covenants is considered modern day revelation and instructions from the Prophet Joseph Smith to the church and individuals, mostly.

So why do members of the church have such a passion for uplifting music and why are they encouraged to have hymns playing in their homes, on their playlists as well as in church gatherings?

The answer can be found in a comment made by President Russell M. Nelson during a Brigham Young University devotional on May 8, 2008.

“Remember, music has the power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has the power to facilitate worship. It allows us to

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

Latter-day Saints sing in a meeting in Manaus, Brazil.

Worship

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contemplate the Atonement (and) the Restoration of the gospel with its saving principles and exalting ordinances. Music provides power for us to express prayerful thoughts and bear testimony of sacred truths.”

With the help of W. W. Phelps, one of the great hymn writers of the church, and appointed to assist and arrange for the printing, Emma Smith compiled 90 hymns. The new church hymnbook came together in 1835 and the first edition was published.

Members of The Church of Jesus

Christ do not have a corner on the market when it comes to singing praise, praying through music and seeking the Spirit. Music is used globally to unite congregations. While many churches find their praise through joyful and energetic choirs or guitars and drums, others enjoy the cathedral sounds provided by massive pipe organs and yet others a solemn cantor.

Music has been a part of worship and prayer for as long as mankind has had a voice. King David of the Old Testament is well-known for his many psalms of joy and lamentation.

The apostle Luke, in telling the story of the Nativity, noted that heavenly

hosts appeared to the shepherds and praised God saying, “Glory to God in the highest and on Earth, peace, good will toward men.” It has been believed these words were delivered in song.

One of the world’s greatest compilations of hymns, music and praise is George Fredric Handel’s “Messiah.” It tells the story of Jesus Christ from his birth to his resurrection and beyond.

The scriptures contain many affirmations that hymn singing is a glorious way to worship. Before the savior and his apostles left the upper room where they had the experience of the Last Supper, they sang a hymn, according to Matthew in the New Testament.

The apostle Paul advised the Colossians that they should be “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (Col. 3:16)

“When the Lord’s Apostles meet in modern times, the singing of hymns is still part of their meetings. The weekly meetings of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles in the Salt Lake Temple always begin with a hymn,” said President Dallin H. Oaks in the October 1994 semi-annual general conference of the church.

Oaks said they take turns picking the songs and from a record he kept he

PHOTOS COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, plays the piano at the conclusion of the 2021 Global Youth Music Festival on March 17, 2021. In a message for youth, the senior leader called young church members “the hope of Israel,” referencing the hymn, and talked about the “profound influence” music has had on his life.

“Remember, music has the power to provide spiritual nourishment. It has healing power. It has the power to facilitate worship.”

— Russell M. Nelson, president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

noted, “The opening song most frequently sung during the decade of my participation has been ‘I Need Thee Every Hour.’” He also noted at the time that then-Elder Nelson played the piano for the singing.

“Picture the spiritual impact of a handful of the Lord’s servants singing that song before praying for his guidance in fulfilling their mighty responsibilities,” Oakes said.

In the First Presidency’s message in the preface to the 1985 hymnbook currently being used, it says, “Some of the greatest sermons are preached by the singing of hymns. Hymns move us to repentance and good works, build testimony and faith, comfort the weary, console the mourning, and inspire us to endure to the end”

Throughout the world, Latter-day Saints sing with joy, enthusiasm and reverence. Some congregations are more hesitant.

“I believe some of us in North America are getting

A Latter-day Saint from South Africa sings the Zulu hymn “Etendeni Lami,” based on Psalm 91, during the 2021 Global Youth Music Festival that premiered on March 17, 2021.

Sister missionaries sing hymns on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

Worship

neglectful in our worship, including the singing of hymns. I have observed that the Saints elsewhere are more diligent in doing this. We in the center stakes of Zion should renew our fervent participation in the singing of our hymns,” Oaks added.

Elder Franklin D. Richards, previously of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy, spoke on worshiping with song. He noted that, “In our Latter-day Saint hymns, we sing praises to the Lord, pray unto the Lord, recite great religious truths — in effect sermons — and our minds and spirits are elevated and spiritually stimulated.”

Conversely some of today’s music can also lead us away from prayer, the Spirit and can affect our psyche, according to President Ezra Taft Benson in a general conference talk in 1971.

“‘Satan knows that music hath charms to soothe or stir the savage beast. That music has power to create atmosphere has been known before the beginning of Hollywood. Atmosphere creates environment, and environment influences behavior — the behavior of Babylon or of Enoch,’” Benson said, quoting an unnamed musician.

This does not mean that we should all be strumming our harps and singing hymns only. Benson acknowledged there is great music that is not a hymn.

President Thomas S. Monson loved Broadway musicals and attended many productions. Some of his favorite music was Broadway songs.

It is also important to members of the church to teach their children to enjoy the hymns and other good music.

COURTESY PHOTO

The deck of the Titanic. Both inside and outside, the band would play for guests.

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COURTESY LDS GOSPEL ART

An image of Emma Hale Smith, who was commissioned by revelation to gather hymns for the newly established Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Elder Jay E. Jensen of the Seventy recalls this story from his youth.

“My testimony and conversion to the restored gospel were strongly influenced by singing the hymns of Zion as a young boy. I grew up in the small town of Mapleton, Utah, and attended meetings in what is known today as the ‘old white church.’ My 95-year-old mother still lives in Mapleton. When I visit her, I drive past the ‘old white church,’ and a flood of sweet memories fills my mind. Among them is the converting power of the hymns we sang in priesthood, Sunday School and sacrament meetings.”

Jensen shared important lessons he learned about making worship more meaningful through hymns.

1. Strive to be more punctual to meetings, sit quietly and listen to the prelude music, and experi-

ence reverence and revelation.

2. Exit meetings more reverently, allowing the postlude music to extend the spirit of the meeting.

3. Sing the hymns. I see some who have access to hymnals but do not sing.

4. Choose hymns appropriate to the meeting and messages.

5. Use hymns to introduce or to emphasize scriptures and gospel truths in lessons and classes.

6. Listen to the hymns more frequently in our homes, inviting the Spirit to prevail.

“Teach your children to love the hymns. Sing them on the Sabbath, in (family) home evening, during scripture study, at prayer time. Sing as you work, as you play and as you travel together. Sing hymns as lullabies to build faith and testimony in your young ones,” Jensen counseled.

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

A family in Ghana sings hymns in church.

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square are ambassadors of music

BY GENELLE PUGMIRE Daily Herald

They have gold and platinum records, have been awarded Grammys, an Emmy and a Peabody award. They have toured throughout the world and have been

dubbed “America’s Choir.” The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is a musical force to be reckoned with.

To be in the choir can be arduous. Wishful members go through strenuous music theory testing, harmonizing skill

tests and a training choir before they are selected to join the 300-plus voice Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

Choir members must be members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, be worthy to hold a temple

recommend and are called as missionaries for the church. They may serve for 20 years or until they are 60 years old, whichever comes first.

ISAAC HALE , DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performs during the morning session of the 188th semiannual general conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held Oct. 6, 2018, at the church’s Conference Center in Salt Lake City.

Please see CHOIR, Page G20

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Choir

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In all, there have been 15 directors for the choir and numerous organists. In more recent times, the directors have included:

• Richard P. Condie (1957-’74).

• Jay E. Welch (1974) founded the Mormon Youth Symphony and Orchestra. He directed the choir for six months.

• Jerold Ottley (1974-’99).

• Craig Jessop (1999-2008).

• Mack Wilberg (2008-present).

In 1999, the Orchestra at Temple Square was established as a companion ensemble to The Tabernacle Choir. The Orchestra offers an opportunity for instrumental musicians to also serve as goodwill musical ambassadors.

“To have your own orchestra created a new genre of music. You can see the added strength,” said Heidi Swinton, choir historian and biographer.

The history

The history of the choir stems from the 1836 dedication of the Kirtland Temple in Ohio. That is when

a small choir was organized to provide music for the dedication services.

“The choir of singers were seated in the four corners of the room, in seats prepared for that purpose. ... An excellent choir of singers, led by M. C. Davis, (sang),” according to the “History of the Church” volume II.

A choir performed at a special conference on Aug. 22, 1847, just one month after the Saints entered the Salt Lake Valley. A choir was also organized and sang for the conference in the first bowery under the direction of John Parry. This choir became the Salt Lake Tabernacle Choir, Swinton said.

PHOTOS COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

President Michael O. Leavitt, center, stands with his new counselors, L. Whitney Clayton and Gary B. Porter, on Aug. 26, 2021.

Richard Elliott finishes with a flourish, playing at the Tabernacle Choir’s concert in the Milwaukee Theater. Elliott has been a full-time Tabernacle organist since 1991 and the principal organist for the choir since 2007.

They began singing for general conference Oct. 6, 1848.

“The importance of music in church meetings lead to the Salt Lake Valley Choir, the ‘Old’ Tabernacle choir, The Salt Lake Tabernacle choir and then the Mormon Tabernacle Choir,” Swinton said. On Oct. 5, 2018, the choir changed its name to The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square.

Music has been an important part of the Restoration, according to Swinton. The choir and its members have proclaimed the gospel through song since its inception.

The future

Now, through modern technology and a new focus on a worldwide audience and participants, the Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square are moving in a new direction.

On Aug. 6, 2021, the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints announced the call of Michael O. Leavitt as the eighth president of the choir, succeeding Ron Jarrett, who has served since August 2012. The First Presidency also announced a new structure for choir leadership.

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“I have grown up with the choir but didn’t understand the depth of devotion of the choir,” Leavitt said. “I didn’t appreciate the unique language of music — it’s universal.”

“I was a musician growing up and came to understand more thoroughly the sacredness of music and its peace,” he added.

In November 2022, the choir put out the following statement:

“The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square is making significant changes to

broaden the reach of its music and influence. To that end, the Choir is clarifying its mission and instituting pilot programs to better reach all of God’s children.”

In a meeting with the entire choir membership, President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints addressed his outlook for the choir. He said, “The Church will continue to grow. It will fill the world. It will continue to bless more and more nations, tongues and people. The Lord is hastening his work in the promised global gathering of Israel. You can be sure that the Tabernacle Choir, Orchestra and Bells at Temple Square will be a

pivotal part of that era.”

The expanded mission statement now reads, “The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square performs music that inspires people throughout the world to draw closer to the divine and feel God’s love for His children.”

The new choir presidency further outlined three pilot projects aimed at fulfilling this more global approach. They include expanding access to “Music & the Spoken Word” throughout the world, increasing the mission impact of choir travel throughout the world and reflecting the worldwide membership of the church in choir performances.

The Tabernacle Choir prepares to sing at President Lyndon B. Johnson’s inauguration in 1965.

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“Count on us doing four main things,” Leavitt said. Those include cultivating a choir that highlights a worldwide nature; helping the church be more visible; increasing the choir’s social media presence; and go on more frequent, but shorter tours.

“We used to spend a lot of travel time,” Leavitt said. “Now we will work out of one location and use social media. The tours will resemble more like (church) Christmas concerts.”

For instance, when the choir tours to Mexico, it will be for two to four days and they will stay in one location but broadcast via social media platforms, in Spanish, to areas throughout Mexico.

Not only will tours change, but the weekly “Music & the Spoken Word” will be reaching out to a more global listenership. The first will be in Spanish and Portuguese.

“These are pilot episodes that will be out in the second quarter of the year,” Leavitt said. “This will be a collaborative process and we’ll be doing a thing we haven’t done before. We want content in their language and culture.”

“The internet carries a message that is more targeted,” he added. “As we get better, we will work to expand languages.”

As for the music, well that could be changing a bit too. “Sacred music is different in different parts of the world,” Leavitt noted. “We are looking at a younger, more diverse group.”

To better reflect the global membership of the worldwide church, plans are being made for qualified Latter-day Saint singers from Mexico, Central America, South America, West Africa, the Philippines and Asia to audition for opportunities to sing with the choir during the April general conference.

Leavitt explained that this is a pilot aimed at building a deeper sense of kinship and attachment with the church and the choir among members and non-members of the church in these countries.

“It is possible this will be a onetime event. Or perhaps it will be something we will do periodically. The most likely outcome, however, is that through this pilot project we will gradually see new options and possibilities that will help the choir better represent the worldwide church,” Leavitt said.

Leavitt said the choir will move forward in faith, one step at a time, as it takes steps to “inspire people throughout the world to draw closer to the divine and feel God’s love for His children.”

“The choir is an important symbol of the church. The choir is a beautiful musical instrument. I am deeply privileged to be called to this position,” he said.

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE President Ronald Reagan was a fan of the Tabernacle Choir. He requested the choir to take part in his first inauguration as president of the United States in 1981.

Touring timeline of the Taber

BY GENELLE PUGMIRE Daily Herald

Over the last 150 years, there are few symbols of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as iconic as the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, formerly The Mormon Tabernacle Choir. From humble beginnings, the choir has undergone numerous changes, played for presidents and traveled the globe.

Below are some of the significant dates in the choir’s history, courtesy of Heidi Swinton, choir biographer:

Touring: 1800s

July 4, 1873: First public concert of Choir — outside of General Conference — in honor of Independence Day

Sept. 28, 1880: The Choir (about 150 singers) takes its first trip away from Salt Lake City, to American Fork.

Aug. 29–Sept. 12, 1893: The Choir’s first major tour is to the Chicago World’s Fair and Eisteddfod contest.

Touring:

1901 - 1920

March 14-24, 1902: Toured California cities giving concerts in San Francisco, Sacramento, Berkley and Palo Alto as part of the San Francisco World’s Fair.

Aug. 21–Sept. 1, 1909: Alaska-Yukon Pacific Exposition Tour including stops in LeGrand, Oregon and Seattle, Washington.

Oct. 23–Nov. 26, 1911: Embarked on a 5,500mile tour, performed 50 concerts between Utah and New York City. They also sang in the East Room of the White House for President William Howard Taft and at the dedication of the Oliver Cowdery monument, “Praise to the Man” while on tour.

Touring: 1921 -1940

July 15, 1929: First broadcast of what became “Music and the Spoken Word.” Director Anthony Lund (1871-1935), or-

ganist Edward P. Kimball (1882-1937) and Ted Kimball (1910-1985) announced the program on KDYL, predecessor to today’s KSL radio.

Sept. 8-19, 1934: Chicago and the Century of Progress — 14 one-hour concerts. Henry Ford invited the choir to present a series of concerts for one week at the Century of Progress Exposition in Chicago.

July 18-28, 1935: Choir gave 14 concerts at the California-Pacific International Exposition at San Diego in the Ford Bowl, now called “Starlight Bowl, at the invitation of the Ford Motor Co.

Touring: 1941 to 1960

Aug. 17, 1941: Choir travels to southern

California for concerts at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles and the San Francisco Opera Association. The choir also sponsored a concert at the San Francisco Civic Auditorium.

April 4-6, 1943: The choir sang at the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Dedication of the Salt Lake Temple. The music was the same as at the dedication.

Aug. 19–Sept. 17, 1955: The choir, with 361 voices, tours Europe starting in Glasgow, Scotland and traveling through Wales, England, The Netherlands, Denmark and Germany. Sang at Sporthalle Schoenberg for German saints who could cross the border and for the refugees from the Russian zone. The evening concert was shared in countries behind the

Iron Curtain by Radio Free Europe and broadcast over RIAS (Radio in the American Sector) to eastern Germany. While in Bern, Switzerland, they participated in the dedication of the Swiss Temple. The tour ended at the Palais De Chaillot in Paris, France. The choir gave fourteen concerts in twelve major cities. This was the first trip by the choir outside of the United States.

1958: Grand Eastern American Tour including Kansas, Missouri, Ohio, Washington D.C., Maryland, New York at Carnegie Hall, Constitution Hall in Philadelphia, Boston, Toronto and Illinois.

Nov. 26-29, 1959: A portion of the Choir were at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles when the Tabernacle Choir won a Grammy

COURTESY LDS CHURCH ARCHIVES

Mormon Tabernacle Choir at St. Basil’s Cathedral in Red Square, Moscow, USSR in 1991.

nacle Choir at Temple Square

for the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

Touring: 1961-1980

Aug. 12-19, 1962: Pacific Northwest tour performing in Portland, Oregon; Vancouver, British Columbia; World’s Fair Arena in Seattle and throughout Washington.

May 23-26, 1963: Concerts in East Bay Interstate Center in Oakland, California. Cornerstone laying ceremony for the Oakland Temple and the Hollywood Bowl, Los Angeles.

July 20–Aug. 1, 1964: New York World’s Fair Tour playing 13 concerts in 12 days, appearing before 70,000 people across 5,400 miles. They visit Houston, New Orleans, the White House, New York (Carnegie Hall), Cleveland, Milwaukee and Minneapolis.

Aug. 21–30, 1967: Expo ’67 Tabernacle Centennial Tour in Nebraska, Montreal, Rhode Island, New York, Michigan and Oklahoma.

Jan. 18-20, 1969: Inauguration program of Richard Nixon, Washington, D.C.; preinaugural concert at the Capitol.

Dec. 16, 1970: Choir sang for National Christmas tree lighting ceremony at the White House in Washington, D.C.

Jan 21, 1973: Choir sang at White House devotional services as part of President Richard Nixon’s inauguration, East Room of the White House.

August 1973: Oberammergau concert on stage of the Passion Playhouse; concert in the Louvre Court in Paris, France; concert at Royal Albert Hall in London, England. Recording session with Royal Philharmonic in Kingsway Hall.

July 18-19, 1974: Expo ’74 in Spokane, Washington

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sing in Toronto concert in 2011.

“Sesame Street” character Big Bird gets a lesson on how to be a conductor from Tabernacle Choir conductor Mack Wilberg during the choir’s annual “Christmas Concert” at the LDS Conference Center in Salt Lake City on Dec. 14, 2017.

IAN MAULE , DAILY HERALD FILE PHOTO

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Sept. 13, 1974: Washington, D.C. for temple open house and dedication. President Gerald Ford (1913-2006) attended a concert at the Kennedy Center where the choir performed.

June 28, 1976: Eastern States Bicentennial Tour ending with the dedication of the Visitors Center at the Washington Temple.

July 4, 1976: Choir participates in the U.S. Bicentennial tours in Utah, Philadelphia, Boston, New York and Washington, D.C.

Sept 8–13, 1979: The choir gives 13 concerts in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto, Japan, and then Seoul, South Korea.

Touring: 1981 - 2000

Jan. 20, 1981: Inauguration of President Ronald Reagan who calls the group “America’s Choir.”

June 5–22, 1982: Choir toured England, Scandinavia and Europe.

June 22 –July 1, 1984: Toronto and Ottawa, Canada, and Detroit, Chicago, Kansas City, and the Red Rocks in Colorado.

Aug. 15-28, 1985: Choir tours Japan.

June 14–July 6, 1988: Expo ’88 Pacific Tour in Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia

Jan. 18–22, 1988: Inauguration of President George H. W. Bush

June 8–29, 1991: Choir tours Eastern Europe including Germany, France, Switzerland, Austria, Hungary, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Russia.

July 19–Aug. 1, 1992: Summer tour commemorating Columbus’ 500th Anniversary from Richmond, Virginia, ends at the RLDS (Community of Christ) Auditorium Conference Center, in Independence, Missouri

Dec. 26, 1992–Jan. 6, 1993: Tours Israel and performs with the Jerusalem Symphony Orchestra. Concert at the BYU

Jerusalem Center.

July 29-30, 1996: San Francisco, Davies Symphony Hall as part of “Festival of History Week.” “Sesquicentennial of the arrival of the Ship Brooklyn bringing Saints to San Francisco.”

April 5, 1997: 150th Anniversary of the arrival of the pioneers into the Salt Lake Valley. Toured Utah.

Touring: 2001 - Present

Jan. 18-21, 2001: Inauguration of President George W. Bush.

June 15–24, 2001: Southern States Tour — Eight concerts in five state covering about 2,025 miles.

June 26-30, 2002: Choir sings at the dedication of the newly rebuilt Nauvoo Temple.

June 19, 2003: Utah Gov. Michael G. Leavitt proclaims it “Mormon Tabernacle Choir” Day for 75 years of broadcasting, and in preparation for Northeastern United States and Canada Tour.

June 17 – July 3, 2005: Pacific Northwest Tour — Performed nine concerts in five states.

June 21-July 3, 2007: Canada-Midwest Tour – Performed nine concerts in five states.

June 20-27, 2011: Centennial tour of Canada and Eastern United States celebrating 100 years of multi-city tours.

June 12–20, 2013: Choir tours the midwestern United States.

June 24–July 7, 2015: Choir tours the eastern United States.

June 27–July 16, 2016: Choir Tours Western Europe, Brussels, Berlin, Frankfurt, Nuremberg, Rotterdam, Vienna, and Zurich.

Jan. 20, 2017: Inauguration of President Donald Trump.

June 18–July 3, 2018: West Coast Choir Tour in California, Washington and Vancouver, Canada.

COURTESY INTELLECTUAL RESERVE

The Mormon Tabernacle Choir at the Ei el Tower in Paris, France, in 1955.

Experiencing celestial joy through music

BY SARAH HUNT

Music has been known throughout the world as a means for expression and unification. “It is not happenstance that we call music the ‘universal language,’” said

Brandon Stewart, founder, CEO, composer-in-residence and musical director of Millennial Choirs and Orchestras. “It feeds the spirit, unites the human family, and elevates us to heaven.”

Daily Herald

PHOTOS COURTESY STEVE PORTER

Brett and Brandon Stewart, who both have the title of founder, CEO, composer-in-residence, and musical director for Millennial Choirs & Orchestras, lead a performance.

Millennial Choirs & Orchestras performing at The Music Center at Strathmore in North Bethesda, Maryland.

Please see CELESTIAL, Page G30

Brandon and his brother, Brett Stewart, created the organization as a way to encourage volunteer singers and musicians to cultivate their skills in sacred music to the highest level possible. Auditions are held only for adults. People age 18 and under can join without previous training.

“My old college voice professor used to say to me, ‘Singing is not just for the chosen.’ The longer I do this, the more I am convinced this is true,” Brandon said. “With great inspiration, teaching, devotion and guidance, anyone can learn to create music.”

For many, connection to deity and feeling joy are one inseparable thing. Brandon says he sees this kind of joy every week from choir members during practices and performances.

The younger members, starting at age 4, can sometimes be seen mimicking the conducting, shaking with excitement and passionately singing sacred songs with all their might — all while grinning from ear to ear.

“I’ve had multiple people approach me following a concert and say, ‘That is the closest thing to heaven I’ve ever felt,’” Brandon said. “The burdens and darkness of the world melt away. Light, joy, hope and truth take over. That is the power of good, relatable, wholesome spiritual music.”

Brandon and Brett grew up in southern California in a home that was consistently filled with sacred and uplifting music. They were inspired to gain an education in music when their older sister began singing in choirs and learning how to play the piano.

Brett earned his bachelor’s degree from Brigham Young University in piano performance, his masters from California State University, Long Beach in choral conducting and doctorates from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music in choral conducting with cognate studies in composition.

Brandon received his undergraduate degree from BYU, double majoring in vocal and piano performance, and his graduate degree from the Juilliard School.

While studying to become a college music professor, Brett had a dream where the duo’s

high school choral mentor, Ted Reid, assured him that he already knew his path in life. The making of the Orange County (now California) chapter of MCO unfolded before Brett and he awoke with a mission to bring the choir to life. He called Brandon to ask if he would be a co-founder, and just like that, the Millennial Choir and Orchestras was born.

Neither brother expected the program to grow into what it is today — seven locales across five states, with a new eighth location being determined through an Instagram contest.

Melissa Tyler, who has been

with MCO since 2012 as a singer and managing director, grew up singing with her family and in school, but put vocal performance on pause after getting married.

She began singing in their Grand Chorus as an alto section one member, which stretched her abilities as an accustomed soprano. For her, music brings more than just joy.

“It also renews my spirit when I sing in the Grand Chorus. It fills my well with love, grace, compassion, and spiritual insight like nothing else can, (because music) is the language of the gods,” Tyler said. “It calms

me, consoles me, revives me, and helps me commune with my Savior.”

Debra Bonner, a vocal performer that is well-known in the Church and sings with her husband Harry and eight children as The Bonner Family, seconded this sentiment.

“We have testimonials from people who say they have felt the Spirit like they hadn’t felt it before,” Debra Bonner told LDS Living. “Gospel music is powerful. And that’s because it speaks of the Savior. It speaks of His love for us and His atoning sacrifice, that we love Him, that we praise Him — that He lifts us.”

COURTESY STEVE PORTER

Brandon Stewart, founder, CEO, composer-in-residence and musical director of Millennial Choirs & Orchestras conducts a performance.

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