By Robb Cundick
On Monday afternoon, July 15, 1929, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir
gathered in the Salt Lake Tabernacle to launch what was to become
the longest-running network radio program in broadcasting history.
While there was undoubtedly much excitement at the prospect
of singing to the nation, it seems unlikely that any of the
participants could have predicted what a national and even
worldwide institution the Choir and its broadcast would become.
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Here
is what the Tabernacle Choir looked like in 1929. |
This year marks yet another milestone in that enduring legacy,
which began on radio, spread to television in the 1960's, and
now is available anywhere in the world via Internet streaming.
July 18th, 2004, will mark the 75th anniversary
broadcast of Music and the Spoken Word. To allow as
many as possible to join the celebration, the broadcast will
originate from the Conference Center. There will also be a
gala concert in the same venue the night before. CBS Radio
Commentator Charles Osgood will be guest artist for both. [As
of this writing, some (free) tickets for the July 17th
concert remain, and many are still available for the Sunday
morning broadcast. The latter will be followed by a mini-concert
featuring much of the music from the night before.Click here for
ticket information.]
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And
this is the scene that will greet visitors to the 75th
Anniversary
Broadcast.
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A remarkable run of events has lead up to this exciting month
and has kept anticipation high. It began a year go with our
75th Anniversary Tour of the Northeastern United
States. While in New York City, we received the International
Radio and Television Society's Gold Medal Award in recognition
of our 75th anniversary year of broadcasting.
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Six
members of the staff traveled to Washington, DC in November
to represent
the Choir in receiving the National Medal of Arts. Standing
with President
and Mrs. Bush are (l to r) Announcer Lloyd Newell, Tabernacle
Organist John
Longhurst, Choir President Mac Christensen, Choir Directors
Craig Jessop and
Mack Wilberg, and Assistant to the Choir President,
Stan Parrish.
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Two other prestigious awards were to follow, with President
Bush presenting the National Medal of Arts in an Oval Office
ceremony in November, and the induction of the Choir and Music
and the Spoken Word into the National Association of Broadcasters
Hall of Fame at their April Convention in Las Vegas. We have
also been honored here at home, receiving a Utah "Best of State"
award, the Heritage Award from This Is the Place Heritage Park
and several Pearl Awards for LDS faith-based music.
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Choir
President Mac Christensen poses with President and Mrs.
Bush following
the awarding of the National Medal of Arts.
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An exhibit featuring displays about the history of the broadcast
is currently running at the Church Museum of History and Art.
Included are such interesting artifacts as batons used by each
of the Choir's conductors, Alexander Schreiner's famed red-lined
cape, Choir dresses and soloist gowns from the past; awards,
medals, and several historic recordings of The Spoken Word.
The exhibit will continue through October 17.
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Lee
Groberg thanks the Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square
following a
filming session for his new documentary, America's Choir:
The Story of the
Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
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And what could be more appropriate to celebrate 75 years than
the production of a documentary? Lee Groberg, producer/director
of several documentaries on the Church, has turned his focus
upon the Choir. His previous works include An American Prophet:
The Story of Joseph Smith, Trail of Hope: The Story of
the Mormon Trail, and Sacred Stone: The Temple on the
Mississippi. For the past two years, he and writer Heidi
Swinton have become familiar faces at Choir rehearsals, concerts
and tours near and far. One of the highlights occurred last
November when a reenactment of portions of the 1929 Broadcast
was filmed, complete with 1929 clothing and hairstyles.
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Exciting
new releases for the 75 year anniversary of Music and
the Spoken
Word: Lee Groberg's documentary, Heidi Swinton's book,
and the soundtrack
album from the documentary.
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America?s
Choir: The Story of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has just been released on DVD/VHS and is slated for
nationwide broadcast on PBS Television the evening of Thanksgiving
Day. Narrated by Walter Cronkite, it tells the story of the
Choir from its pioneer origins to the present day. Concert
performances of many favorite selections are shown, as well
as interviews with celebrities as diverse as rock music artist
Sting, actresses Angela Lansbury and Roma Downey, composer John
Williams, radio commentator Charles Osgood, Welsh Baritone Bryn
Terfel, and the popular British a cappella group, The
King's Singers. All have performed with the Choir in recent
years and are effusive in their praise. Mr. Cronkite, himself,
tells of his experience with the Choir in the 2002 Christmas
Concert when he took up the baton to conduct Handel?s Hallelujah
Chorus.? ?Guest artists who perform with the Choir leave
changed. "I was one of them", he says, "it was what I called
A thrill in a thrill-filled life."
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For
the reenactment, Choir members got the full treatment,
with 1929
hairstyles and clothing.
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And every bit as compelling as the documentary is Heidi Swinton's
accompanying book, America's
Choir: A Commemorative Portrait of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.
I have read it cover to cover and thoroughly enjoyed its moving
story, gorgeous color photography, and numerous enlightening
sidelights and vignettes. Heidi is a gifted writer, and as
with Lee Groberg, we are very fortunate to have had her spend
so much time experiencing the Choir and telling its story.
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The
reenactment was held on a work day, so not all of the
Choir could come.
Fortunately, it was filmed such that only half of the
Choir Loft was needed.
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Personal
Impressions
Earlier this year I was asked to write an article about our
75th year of broadcasting for the Tabernacle Choir
and Orchestra at Temple Squares' in-house newspaper, Keeping
Tab; and so not yet having the benefit of Heidi's book I set about doing a good deal of research on my own.
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As I was searching for materials I came across a reproduction
of the front page of the Deseret News, dated just a few
days before that first broadcast. Much of the page was devoted
to the upcoming event. At the top was a large picture of the
Choir standing beneath the familiar organ pipes. Except for
the twenties clothing and a cluster of ancient-looking loudspeakers
hanging above, it looked much like a modern day portrait. "Entire
U.S. Will Hear Them", read the caption. The bylines below proclaimed,
"Tabernacle Choir Rehearses Tonight for Big Broadcast" and,
"Famed Organ Also Will Go on 30 Station Hookup Beginning Next
Monday Afternoon." I chuckled when I saw the article to the
left, "Federal Agents Get 2 Big Stills at Idaho Falls." What
could better place the event squarely in its historical setting?
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The
first broadcast in 1929 was heard on radios like this
beautiful old
Philco.
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Click
Here to See Part Two of The Mormon Tabernacle Choir: Three Quarters
of a Century and Counting
