With the Zurich Boys Choir appearing on the program as guest performers, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir commenced its 70th year of broadcasting on Sunday, July 19. Except for a brief mention by "Music and the Spoken Word" announcer Lloyd Newell, the anniversary program proceeded much the same as any other in the weekly series of broadcasts.

"Music and the Spoken Word," which went on the air for the first time on July 15, 1929, is the longest continuous network broadcast in the world, according to a note on the program distributed in the Tabernacle.Church-owned radio station KSL aired the first broadcast on the NBC Radio Network. In 1932, KSL switched to the CBS Radio Network, which has carried "Music and the Spoken Word" ever since. The program is carried by 567 radio stations in the United States and Canada, and by many other radio stations worldwide.

"Music and the Spoken Word" began airing on television in October 1949. The TV broadcast today is carried by tape delay on 55 stations throughout the United States and Canada and by many other stations throughout the world. TV cable systems carrying the broadcast number 1,662, according to a media representative at Bonneville Communications, which produces and distributes "Music and the Spoken Word."

The broadcasts usually originate in the Tabernacle on Temple Square. However, when the choir's 325 singers are on tour, the programs are presented from other venues. Most recently, "Music and the Spoken Word" programs were produced in London, England; Geneva, Switzerland, and Barcelona, Spain, while the choir was on tour to Europe June 12-July 2.

One of mainstays of broadcasting, "Music and the Spoken Word" draws on a large repertoire. Director Jerold Ottley said that at any given time the singers can be prepared to perform from a selection of 400-500 pieces of music with an hour's rehearsal.

For the commencement of its 70th year in broadcasting, Tabernacle Choir director Jerold Ottley conducted and Richard Elliott accompanied at the organ. The anniversary program was the choir's 3,596th broadcast.

Arrangements for the guest appearance of the Zurich Boys Choir got underway in Seoul, Korea, where Iain B. McKay, director of international media for Bonneville Communications, attended the Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union's general assembly in October 1997. At that assembly, he met Nicholas D. Lombard from the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation's head office in Bern. From that meeting came arrangements for the Tabernacle Choir's concert and broadcast in Geneva on June 18 to be carried on Swiss radio and television.

Brother McKay, who is director of the Temple Square Concert Series, learned that Mr. Lombard's wife, Beatrice, is the business manager of the Zurich Boys Choir. Brother McKay invited that group to come to Salt Lake City during its tour to the United States, and began making arrangements for the boys choir to appear on the broadcast July 19.

The Zurich Boys Choir was directed by Alphons von Aarburg and accompanied by Steve Zwygart. Daniel Hellmann, 12, sang the boy soprano solo.

Elder Robert K. Dellenbach of the Seventy and adviser to the Temple Square Concert Series hosted the Swiss guests on Temple Square.