Historic tour awaits Choir
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The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is about to embark on its most ambitious tour in North America, performing 11 concerts June 24-July 11. On the tour are 10 cities in the northeastern U.S.
The choir's president, Mac Christensen, said that the tour will launch a year-long commemoration of the choir's 75th anniversary of Music and the Spoken Word broadcast, the world's longest continuously running network broadcast. The 30-minute weekly program of music and inspirational commentary is broadcast on more than 2,000 radio, television, cable and satellite stations worldwide. The program first aired on July 15, 1929.
One of the major publicity efforts of the tour occurred June 2 when a satellite link was established between the Tabernacle on Temple Square and several broadcast stations in cities along the tour route. Craig Jessop, musical director, participated in live interviews while members of the choir gave audiences a taste of the musical feast about to be served in their areas.
In comments to the Church News, President Christensen said that this is the most prestigious North American tour in the Tabernacle Choir's history.
"This tour got started when we were asked to come and sing with the Boston Pops on the Fourth of July. That's developed into a magnificent tour," President Christensen said.
He spoke of the immense interest in the tour, noting that those in charge of bookings at the various venues "wanted us immediately. A lot of times, you'll want to get in a certain venue but it just doesn't happen. These people worked with us to be sure the choir could be scheduled in their venues."
Brother Jessop said that this tour stands apart from others in subtle, yet significant, ways. "For one thing, it's the first tour after 9/11, and our country has changed a great deal," he said. "The choir gave a concert the very evening of that terrible day, which reached out to the entire nation and really gave them peace and comfort as people were mourning during that period. Now, as we have tried to rebuild and redefine, I think we're all more mindful of the heritage that we have, of how fragile and precious our institutions and freedoms are, and of our great responsibility to the world community as well. The choir is able to bring peace, hope, self-assurance and joy to people through their music. I think it will be a wonderful opportunity for families to come together and celebrate our great nation."
Some 360 members of the Tabernacle Choir and a 25-member ensemble from the Orchestra at Temple Square will perform during the tour. The tour will include the following cities and events:
June 24: Interlochen Arts Festival, Traverse City, Mich.
June 25: Van Andel Arena, Grand Rapids, Mich.
June 28: Chautauqua Festival, matinee and evening concerts, Chautauqua, N.Y.
June 30: Performing Arts Center, Newark, N.J.
July 1: Saratoga Performing Arts Center, Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
July 2: Avery Fisher Hall, Lincoln Center, New York City, N.Y.
July 4: Charles River Esplanade with Boston Pops, Boston, Mass.
July 5: Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, Vienna, Va.
July 7: Mann Center, Philadelphia, Pa.
July 11: Tanglewood Festival with the Boston Symphony, Lenox, Mass.
E-mail: gerry@desnews.com
