The dulcet barbershop harmonies of a women's chorus blended with the rich sound of the Tabernacle Choir Oct. 21.

The Scottsdale Chorus from Arizona joined with the choir for the nationwide "Music and the Spoken Word" broadcast, followed by an hour-long concert in the Tabernacle.One hundred seventy voices strong, the chorus was in Salt Lake City for the 44th annual International Convention and Competition of Harmony International, formerly Sweet Adelines Inc.

Among the more than 6,000 convention-goers in Salt Lake City Oct. 16-20 were 49 quartets and 26 choruses competing for international championships in respective categories. The United States, England, Scotland, the Netherlands, Sweden, Australia and New Zealand were among countries represented at the week-long event.

The Scottsdale Chorus, last year's international champion, was invited by choir officials for the joint appearance.

Hundreds of the visitors remained an extra day to attend the broadcast and concert. The performance was reminiscent of the occasion July 6, 1986, when the Vocal Majority, a male barbershop chorus from Dallas, Texas, joined the choir for its broadcast and a concert afterward.

This time, however, the visitors' voices were higher, although the harmony was similar, based on the distinctive barbershop quartet style that developed in the late 1800s in the United States.

That style was most prevalent in the chorus' rendition of "Thank You, Dear Lord, for Music." But it also influenced its performance of the more contemporary "One Moment in Time," a song written for the 1988 Summer Olympics, and the devotional piece, "Be Still My Soul." The renditions were all

a cappella.

The chorus joined the choir on the last number of the broadcast, "Glory to God on High," providing a counterpoint to the choir on the second verse. Tabernacle Choir director Jerold D. Ottley, who directed both groups on the last number, was clearly pleased, as he gave an "OK" sign to the singers.

An impressive moment came during the concert as the chorus reprised "Thank You, Dear Lord, for Music," and director Bev Sellers invited the audience - mostly Harmony International members - to join in on the last verse.

The Tabernacle Choir climaxed its portion of the concert with its famous version of "Battle Hymn of the Republic." Many in the audience gasped in delighted anticipation when announcer Kent Norton said the Choir would be performing that number.

"It was one of the most wonderful experiences I have ever encountered," said Doreen Davis, one of four Church members in the Scottsdale Chorus, as she reflected on the broadcast and concert.

"There was hardly a dry eye within the chorus. Some of the women were so emotionally overcome they couldn't even sing."

Sister Davis, Relief Society chorister in the Mesa 18th Ward, reported that one chorus member said she had never experienced a feeling like the one she had in the Tabernacle, and she was still experiencing it several hours later.

Some chorus members who had been negatively disposed toward the Church changed their attitude after being in Salt Lake City and posed many questions to Sister Davis about the Church, she said.

Director Bev Sellers said the appearance with the Tabernacle Choir was a "shining moment" for the chorus.

"It was a thrill to sing with them, hear them and interact with them. I hope we can do it again sometime."