In the world of broadcasting, where programming often follows the whims of changeable public taste, longevity is to be celebrated and treasured. The Tabernacle Choir will be doing that this month.

On July 16, the choir will observe the 60th anniversary broadcast of "Music and the Spoken Word.""The show has had a longer continuous run than any other program in American network radio history," noted choir Pres. Wendell M. Smoot.

A one-hour broadcast will mark the occasion, to be divided into two half-hour segments. The first half-hour will be carried live in the program's regular time period over the CBS Radio Network, beginning at 9:30 a.m. MDT.

The second half hour will be carried locally over KSL Television and Radio.

President Gordon B. Hinckley, first counselor in the First Presidency, will deliver remarks.

An array of dignitaries are scheduled to present tributes to the choir. U.S. President George Bush and former President Ronald Reagan will be featured via video tape.

Nancy Widmann, president of the CBS Radio Network will speak in person, as will Rand Araskog, chairman of International Telephone and Telegraph Corp. Araskog's article about the love he and his father shared for the Tabernacle Choir broadcasts was featured last year in the Reader's Digest.

Actor Hal Lindon, whose narration was featured in a Tabernacle Choir television special last Christmas, will also deliver a tribute via videotape. A fan of the choir and a singer in his own right, Lindon has sat in with the choir during some of its rehearsals.

The Tabernacle Choir broadcasts today are heard and seen widely, according to J. Spencer Kinard, choir announcer and an executive with KSL-TV.

One hundred twenty-three radio stations receive the CBS Radio feed. In addition, 442 radio stations carry taped broadcasts, as well as 37 television and 10 cable television stations. The taped broadcasts go to the Voice of America and to other stations in the United States, Canada, Canary Islands, and Cook Island in New Zealand. A videotape is sent to a television station in American Samoa.

With stereophonic sound and color television, the broadcast enjoys technological advantages that are far beyond those of that first broadcast on July 15, 1929.

KSL, the Church-owned station that has always originated the broadcast, had only one microphone at the time. The station temporarily went off the air while the microphone was rushed to the tabernacle a block away.

It was positioned high above the choir so as to catch all the voices. Announcer Ted Kimball had to climb a step ladder to reach the microphone.

The program began on the NBC Radio Network. Three years later it switched to CBS, and has continued that association ever since.

Through the years because of its tours, the Choir has had to present its broadcasts from some interesting locations. Broadcasts have been from the Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado in 1956 and 1984; the National Auditorium in Mexico City in 1972; the Michael Fowler Center in Wellington, New Zealand, in 1988; and the Opera House in Sydney, Australia the following week.

In 1962, the choir participated in the historic "Telstar" satellite broadcast from Mt. Rushmore, S.D. The choir has been featured in a number of network telecasts, often in connection with historic commemorations such as the U.S. bicentennial and constitution's bicentennial, and U.S presidential inaugurations.

The tours and remote broadcasts are a marvel in logistical arrangements.

But according to director Jerold D. Ottley, each weekly broadcast from Salt Lake City is in itself a miracle.

"Sometimes we come up to broadcast time and we simply are not ready," he said. "All we can do at that point is utter a prayer."

Weekly rehearsals and dedicated personnel help. At any point, Ottley estimated, the choir could pick from 300 pieces of music and perform them with one run-through. Members are selected who can work fast, Ottley said, adding that their own faith helps them perform up to standard.