The world-famous Mormon Tabernacle Choir, often colloquially referred to as the MoTab Choir, was called “America’s Choir” by former U.S. President Ronald Reagan. The Grammy, and Emmy Award-winning choir is comprised of 360 men and women, all of whom are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in good standing, and all of whom are not paid for their participation or performances. The Choir was founded in August 1847, one month after the Mormon pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, and since 15 July 1929, has performed a weekly radio broadcast called Music and the Spoken Word, which is one of the longest continuous radio network broadcast in the world. The program has been televised since the early 1960’s and is now broadcast worldwide over approximately 1,500 radio and television stations. Funding for the choir is provided by the sale of albums, concert tickets, licensing of recorded performances, and donations. The Choir is currently directed under the baton of Mack Wilberg.
Anyone who has ever wanted to sing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir will now have an opportunity to do so. In honor of the 275th anniversary of George Frideric Handel’s “Messiah,” the Choir, in collaboration with YouTube sensation, Peter Hollens, are inviting people of all Christian faiths and denominations throughout the world to be a part of an unprecedented virtual “Hallelujah Chorus.” The purpose of this Easter initiative is for Christians from around the world to come together to sing praises and proclaim that Jesus Christ the Messiah lives!
“Messiah” is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin, Ireland on 13 April 1742, and received its London, England premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.
In a 10 February 2016 Deseret News article, Ryan Murphy, associate music director for the choir, commented, “Handel’s ‘Messiah’ is an extremely powerful oratorio, especially the ‘Hallelujah’ chorus. It is well-known and well-loved. It’s an honor for us to perform it, and we are delighted to extend the invitation to join us to singers all over the world.”
Peter Hollens further commented on the project, “I am thrilled to be a part of this experience. Singing with the Mormon Tabernacle Choir has always been a dream of mine, and since I don’t live in Utah, this is definitely the next best thing! For anyone who is considering it, opportunities like this are so rare, and it would be a serious shame to miss.”
Individuals, as well as, church choirs, regardless of the level of talent or training, are being encouraged to participate in this once in a lifetime inspirational project. Those interested in participating can download sheet music for the soprano, alto, tenor and bass parts. To help them learn their parts, instructional videos featuring Peter Hollens and his wife, Evynne, who are both trained singing professionals, are available on Mormon.org. The participant(s) should then create a video, upload it to YouTube, and submit their entry through the form on Mormon.org using #Hallelujah. Participants must be 18 or older, and the deadline is 1 March 2016. The best submissions will then be merged and a video released on 13 March.
On 4 March, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and the Orchestra at Temple Square will release a new recording of the complete oratorio of Handel’s “Messiah” as well as a 60-minute highlight video. They will also stream a live performance of Handel’s “Messiah” from the Salt Lake Tabernacle on Good Friday, 25 March, at 7:30 p.m. MST.
