Slide 1

THE TABERNACLE
CHOIR AT TEMPLE
SQUARE
Candice Cram

The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square who was formerly known as “The Mormon Tabernacle
Choir” has been singing for a 110 years. It has 360 members, men and women, all who are
volunteers and do not get paid for their participation. The choir has been around since the
pioneers settled the Salt Lake Valley. Here is some history about the choir.
Slide 2

St. George, Utah

My biography

Backstreet boys

country

I grew up in St.George, Ut. I lived until about eight years ago when I moved up to Salt Lake City. I
am pretty sure all the music I eve listened to was what my older sister enjoyed. So I grew up
listening mostly to Backstreet Boys, which I remember the first time I listened the it was on a
cassette tape, and country. Country is almost all I listen to now if I am in my car but there is
something special about the tabernacle choir and the inspirational music they sing.
Slide 3

My Culture

Family

I think of this music as major part of my culture. It is a foundation of my religion and beliefs. It is
a easy way of expressing my thoughts and feelings towards my religion with someone else.
Church is where we go as a family and a place where I have made friends for life. This music can
reach someone when they are having a bad time when nothing else you do or say can help.
Music is how meetings end and begin. It invites the spirt of the meeting and helps us leave with
good thoughts and feelings. I have chosen two of my favorite hymns and one that I recently
found that has African American roots with its praiseful sound.
Slide 4

History

■ First General Conference

■ John Perry
■ Touring
■ Radio
■ Television
■ Awards

The choir first began singing at the first general conference for the church less than one month
after the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley in 1847. In 1849 Welsh converts come and
increase the talent of the choir. (Miller, 1994) John Perry who was among the Welsh is asked by
Brigham Young to officially organize a choir for the next general conference. (Miller, 1994) There
were many different choir directors over the years. From 1880-89 Ebeneezer Beesely began
taking the choir on tours to the community. (Miller, 1994) Evan Stephens was the director from
1890-1916 and in his time the first recording of the was made on September 1,1910. Anthony
Lund took over in 1916 and in 1927 the first radio broadcast for the “Music and the Spoken
Word” aired on the radio. The “Music and the Spoken Word” became the “longest
uninterrupted network broadcast in American radio history. “ They had their first European tour
in 1955 and in 1962 the “Music and the Spoken Word” was televised. (Miller, 1994)The choir
has performed for presidential inaugurals, the Olympics and memorial services for John F.
Kennedy and Franklin D Roosevelt. (Miller, 1994) A few of the awards they have won are a
Grammy, Five gold and two platinum records. (Miller, 1994)
Slide 5

History
■Tabernacle
■Organ 1847
■Orchestra 1999

The Choir sing and record in the historic tabernacle on Temple Square. The first tabernacle was
built in 1851 and a small organ built in Australia was put in the tabernacle in 1857. (Miller, 1994)
By 1867 a new tabernacle was finished and a bigger organ was put in. This organ was enlarged
and then almost completely replace in 1948. That is the organ that is in the tabernacle today.
(Miller, 1994)In 1999 President Gordon B. Hinckley announced the orchestra would become
apart of the choir. (Orchestra at Temple Square History) The choir consists of about 95 members
who are all voluntary like the choir. The orchestra is made up of many professional and non
professional musicians. (Orchestra at Temple Square History)The orchestra has been said to
have “added a new and significant dimension in sound and repertoire” to the Choir. (Orchestra
at Temple Square History)
Slide 6

Mack Wilberg

Mack Wilberg has been the music director for the Tabernacle Choir since March 28, 2008.
(Mack Wilberg Music Director)He got his education at BYU and his masters and doctorate at
University of Southern California. (Mack Wilberg Music Director)He has many musical
arrangements. I am going to go through three of them. “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”, “I
Believe in Christ”, and “Down to the River to Pray.”
Slide 7

Come Thou Fount of Every

Blessing
o Robert Robinson
o 1758
o “Nettelton”

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing was written by Robert Robinson an English Baptist pastor in
1758 at the age of 22. (Robert Robinson)
“Nettelton is the tune that is sung with “Come thou fount of every blessing.” (Center For Church
Music, Songs & Hymns) John Wyeth complied and published books of hymnal music that
included this tune. (Center For Church Music, Songs & Hymns) It is not quite known who the
author of “Nettleton” really is. I have always loved the music to this song. I can’t understand
what words they are singing most of the time with this song but I can always “feel” the music.
Slide 8

■ Bruce R. McConkie
■ April 1972 General Conference
■ Person Witness “I Believe in Christ.”
■ Poem
■ Tabernacle organist John Longhurst.

I Believe in
Christ

“I Believe in Christ” was a poem that the Apostle Bruce R. McConkie of The Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter Day Saints wrote and shared in General Conference in April 1972. (The Story
Behind "I Believe in Christ": The Powerful Testimony 2015) Music for Bruce R. McConkie’s poem
was written by the tabernacles organist John Longhurst. The song was played for first time at
the 1985 General Conference and it would be McConkie’s last conference as he would die 13
days later. John Longhurst was the organist for the Tabernacle choir from 1977 to 2007. He was
approached by the churches 1985 hymn book committee to write music for the poem “I Believe
in Christ.” (Fidel, 2007)When he submitted his first draft the song was down to four verses from
the original eight but when McConkie saw the finished song he wanted all eight verses included.
(Fidel, 2007) Longhurst changed the arrangement and now the song we know today has fours
verses but there are actually two verses in one. (Fidel, 2007) This is my favorite hymn. I
especially love hearing the choir sing Mack Wilberg’s arrangement.
Slide 9

Down to the river to Pray

■ Hymn, Spiritual, and Appalachian Song
■ George H. Allan
■ Many different titles

“Down to the River to Pray” is a Hymn, Spirtual and an Appalachian song. The exact origins of
the song are unknown but it appeared in George H. Allan’s song book “Slave Song book of
1867.” It has many different titles, “Down in the Valley to Pray,” “Come, Let Us All Go Down”
and “The Good Old Way.” (A Brief History of "Down to the River to Pray" 2014) I chose this song
because is has a happy upbeat tempo.
Slide 10

Listening Guide

Come Thou Fount of Every

Blessing
Tabenacle Choir Arr. Mack Wilberg
Slide 11

Listening guide
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
:00 - :28 Women acapella

:28 - :52 Women altos come in and harmonize acapella

:52-1:24 String solo

1:24-1:54 Flute and French horn

1:54-2:12 Strings fading out

:00 - :28 Women sopranos are singing softly acapella

:28- :52 Women altos come in a harmonize with the Sopranos still acapella. Altos and Sopranos
singing acapella then the strings come in to accompany them
:52 – 1:24 String solo with no voices. They play softly and light
1:24 – 1:54 The flute comes in then the French horn with the strings and the music gets
stronger. They
1:54 – 2:12 continue together softly and then back to the soft strings.
1:54 – 2:12 The strings play softly then fade out
Slide 12

Listening guide
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
2:13-2:15 A brief pause

2:15-2:50 Men acapella

2:50-3:00 Men forte

3:00-3:10 Men and women acapella

3:10-3:28 Men and women joined with the flute

3:28-3:53 Crecsendos

2:13 – 2:15 A brief pause

2:15 – 2:50 Men singing acapella come in strong and Forte. They hold the strong note at the
end.
2:50 – 3:00 Then the men are still Forte but soft and light.
3:00- 3:10 Men and women still in acapella harmonize together forte but gentle.
3:10- 3:28 Men and women singing acapella are distinctly joined by the flute
3:28 – 3:53 The choir crescendos and the singing slows down a little. They are joined by the
woodwind instruments.
Slide 13

Listening guide
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
3:53-3:57 Strings and horns

3:58-4:12 Plucking the harp

4:13-4:20 Pick up the tempo

4:21-4:49 Orchestra and choir harmonize

4:49-4:59 Fortissimo

3:53 – 3:57 Strings and horns join in forte and the choir holds out their note.
3:58 – 4:12 Choir stops singing and the orchestra keeps playing. Strings with a plucking of the
harp is heard. Along with horns. Then trumpets get loud with the drums.
4:13 – 4:20 The trumpets and strings and drums are loud and dramatic and pick up the tempo
and crescendos
4:21 – 4:49 The whole orchestra plays and the choir harmonizing comes in together strong and
forte.
4: 49 – 4:59 Choir and orchestra is fortissimo. The strings are distinctly heard.
Slide 14

Listening guide
Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing
4:59-5:15 Soft
5:15-5:20 Choir and trumpets

5:20-5:29 Trumpet melody

5:29-5:40 Crescendos with orchestra

5:40-5:54 Choir and orchestra finish together

4:59 – 5:15 Choir and Orchestra go a little softer.

5:15 – 5:20 Choir holds out their note and the trumpets and strings come in.
5:20 – 5:29 Choir is silent and the strings and trumpets play. The trumpet play the melody and
the strings play a rapid up and down sound.
5:29 – 5:40 The choir comes back in fortissimo and crescendos with the orchestra. They hold
out each word and note.
5:40 – 5:54 The last word and note is held out. Choir along with orchestra finish strong and
together.
Slide 15

Listening guide

I Believe in Christ
I Believe in Christ arr. Mack Wilberg
Slide 16

Listening guide
I Believe in Christ
:00- :08 Prelude with organ

:08-:17 The strings, brass and the woodwinds

:17-1:12 The choir joins the orchestra together

1:12 -1:21 Brass section is loud

1:21 The orchestra almost completely fades

:00- :08 Introduction with the organ

:08-:17 The strings, brass and the woodwinds enter playing with the organ
:17-1:12 The choir joins the orchestra together in singing softly but firmly. The choir continues
sing and harmonize together. The strings and the trumpets can be heard the best.
1:12-1:21 Choir holds out last note and word of the verse. Brass section comes in loudly and the
choir fades out. The Brass continue to play then the strings join in. The orchestra gets softer.
1:21 The orchestra almost completely fades out and the choir starts the next verse.
Slide 17

Listening guide
I Believe in Christ
1:21- 2:21 Choir continues to steadily sing

2:21-2:22 Organ comes in strong and loud

2:22- 2:29 Organ plays alone

2:29-2:40 Trumpets and strings crescendo

2:40-3:08 Choir comes in forte

3:08-3:11 Choir and orchestra crescendo

1:21- 2:21 Choir continues to steadily sing. The strings can be heard.
2:21-2:22 Organ comes in strong and loud without the orchestra as the choir finishes and holds
the last word and note in the verse.
2:22- 2:29 Organ plays alone for a few more seconds.
2:29-2:40 Trumpets and strings crescendo and come down slightly then back up with added
drums and symbols.
2:40-3:08 Choir comes in forte and strong as one voice. Orchestra is also forte.
3:08-3:11 Choir and orchestra crescendo with drums and symbols.
Slide 18

Listening guide
I Believe in Christ
3:11-3:37 Forte strings

3:37-3:43 Trumpets come in strong

3:43-3:50 Strings join the brass

3:50-4:07 Trumpets and symbols

4:07-4:23 Orchestra and choir finish loudly.

3:11-3:37 Choir stays strong with forte strings.

3:37-3:43 Choir holds out last word and note strongly and trumpets come in strongly as the
choir holds their note. The choir is quite as the orchestra keeps playing.
3:43-3:50 The brass section is joined by the strings.
3:50-4:07 Choir comes back forte and strong with the last line of the verse. Holding out the
words. With trumpets and symbols loudly in the background.
4:07-4:23 Orchestra and choir finish loudly together. Drums and symbols crashing.
Slide 19

Listening guide

Down to the River to Pray

Down to the River to Pray arr. Mack Wilberg
Slide 20

Listening Guide
Down to the River to Pray
Upbeat tempo
:00 -:24
Violins join the singing
:24 -:36
:36 -:49 High, light and happy sound

:49 - 1:01 Strong and loud

1:01-1:16 Woodblock

1:16 -1:40 Men, Deep and Low

:00 - :24- Starts off with the women singing and the men softly back them up singing acapella.
The song has light and happy tune.
:24 -:36- Violins join in and keep the higher, light and happy sound. The Choir finishes the verse
with extending the word and note.
:36 -:49- there is a string solo with an up and down joyful sound that is played somewhat softly.
:49 -1:01 the choir joins the strings once more continuing to get stronger and louder.
1:01-1:16 choir finishes note and the strings continue in the same happy manner and a
woodblock instrument is added rhythmically. The strings change it up a bit with little pauses.
1:16 - 1:40 The men come in together and the strings go to a deeper, lower, and consistent
sound.
Slide 21

Listen guide
Down to the River to Pray
1:16 -1:40 Men, Deep and Low

1:40 -1:53 Women come in with the men

1:53 -2:20 Brass and Xylophone

2:20 -2:55 Choir loud and strong

2:55 -3:18 Repeats and gradually gets loud

3:18 -3:33 Crescendos

1:40 -1:53 the women join the men bringing the strings back to the higher notes.
1:53-2:20 the choir fades out and the strings are strong. There are also some Brass in the
background then some Xylophone which adds to the joyful music.
2:20- 2:55 Choir comes in harmonizing together strong and loud. The orchestra continues and
the Xylophone is added. The choir and music get loud.
2:55-3:18 it gets quieter and the choir repeats the same line. It starts with the men soft then
adds one section of women and more sections getting louder as they repeat the same line. The
orchestra gets louder and faster as the section of music goes on.
3:18-3:33- the music gets so loud then the music and choir soften. Then crescendos with an
abrupt end.
Slide 22

Works citied
■ A Brief History of "Down to the River to Pray". (2014, February 26). Retrieved July 18, 2020,
from https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/down-to-the-river-to-pray.html
■ Center For Church Music, Songs & Hymns. (n.d.). Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
https://songsandhymns.org/hymns/tunes/detail/nettleton
■ Fidel, S. (2007, November 22). 30-year Tabernacle organist is retiring. Retrieved July 16,
2020, from https://www.deseret.com/2007/11/22/20055126/30-year-tabernacle-
organist-is-retiring
■ Mack Wilberg Music Director. (n.d.). Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/about/choir/bios/mack-wilberg.html
■ Miller, R. L. (1994). MORMON TABERNACLE CHOIR. Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
https://www.uen.org/utah_history_encyclopedia/m/MORMON_TABERNACLE_CHOIR.shtml
■ Orchestra at Temple Square History. (n.d.). Retrieved July 18, 2020, from
https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/about/orchestra/orchestra-history.html
Slide 23

Works Citied

■ Orchestra at Temple Square History. (n.d.). Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/about/orchestra/orchestra-history
■ Robert Robinson. (n.d.). Retrieved July 19, 2020, from
https://hymnary.org/person/Robinson_R
■ The Story Behind "I Believe in Christ": The Powerful Testimony. (2015, April 04).
Retrieved July 19, 2020, from https://www.thetabernaclechoir.org/articles/i-believe-
in-christ-bruce-r-mckonkie.html